Lab Assistant 1.0 FTE 1st shift

FTE/Scheduled Weekly Hours:

1\.00 / 40 / 1st Shift (United States of America)Primarily 1st shift with weekend and holiday rotation.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

Responsible for organizing and supervising blood collection work area and performing phlebotomies on inpatients, outpatients, and nursing home patients. Responsible for performing and maintaining the general clerical functions of the Laboratory, as well as assisting with the stocking and inventory tracking of general supplies used within the department .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Receptionist Duties

• Meets and directs patients and visitors, performs telephone duties.
• Greets and directs patients/family in a professional, friendly manner.
• Answers incoming calls and communicates information appropriately and in a polite manner.
• Works together with other departments to meet the needs of the patients via telephone conversations and in person.

Phlebotomy/Competency

• Organizes operations within the blood collection area . Prepares and accurately performs phlebotomies . Processes specimens appropriately for requested tests and delivers specimens to appropriate department for testing. Inventories and stocks supplies as needed.
• Performs phlebotomies on hospital inpatients and outpatients . Collects blood at nursing homes as needed.
• Assists ill or distraught patients as necessary .
• Assists with specimen processing (including clinic specimens) by ensuring prompt delivery of specimens to lab area . Helps prepare and track send out specimens.
• Assists with clinic deliveries/pickups as needed and according to policy.
• Stocks drawing trays in the laboratory and from the nursing home supplies.
• Performs waived testing as assigned .
• Assists with the orientation of new staff to the blood collection area.
• Keeps current in the profession by seeking out continuing education sources and opportunities.
• Completes annual competency review as assigned.

Documentation

• Completes inpatient and outpatient reports, including proper processing and delivery according to policies.
• Responsible for coding signs and symptoms, diseases, operations, and procedures in accordance to ICD\-10\-CM and CPT coding principles to ensure Medicare and other insurance coverage.
• Updates address, telephone number, and fax number file . Communicates information updates to Information systems utilizing the Information System's request portal.
• Updates the specimen collection manual as assigned.
• Files lab reports according to lab procedure.
• Completes ‘problem bucket’ items thoroughly as needed.
• Performs float duties as requested and as needed .

Processing

• Prepares reference lab requisitions for specimens delivered to reference labs . Assures proper processing of the specimens, including the shipment of reference specimens to the appropriate facility . Creates and processes batch sheets appropriately.
• Processes specialty tests accordingly. Reads and follows instructions provided.
• Compiles patient charts accurately and performs chart reviews.

Regulatory and compliance

• Responsible for obtaining patient waivers when procedures are not deemed as medically necessary.
• Maintains confidential laboratory files according to HIPAA regulations . Assists in the maintenance of the laboratory's information data and lab information system.
• Assists department in maintaining cost effective and efficient operations.
• Maintains communication with Business Office and Health Information Management to ensure proper compliance with Medicare and other insurance payers.
• Follows department safety policies and procedures .
• Utilizes safety equipment .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience, and Training

• Must possess high school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience in phlebotomy and laboratory setting is preferred.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.
• Must possess valid Iowa driver’s license as applicable to the position and an acceptable driving record ( only when included in the driving pool) .
• Must possess effective communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to learn and navigate computer systems including the online training modules, the employee timesheet and the performance appraisal system. Job specific systems are also required .
• Must be able to read, speak, and write fluent English.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting – Approximately 25 % of shift.
• Standing – Approximately 50 % of shift.
• Walking – Approximately 50 % of shift.
• Lifting – Approximately 50 pounds.
• Twisting – Infrequent
• Bending – Infrequent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1\. May come in contact with hazardous chemicals or treatment modalities.

2\. The possibility exists of exposure to communicable disease due to working in a healthcare environment.

3\. Involvement in patient care may result in unavoidable work\-related illnesses.

4\. A driving pool will be created with a core group of staff that will drive to nursing homes. Staff in this pool must possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record verified by Human Resources . Employees included in this driving pool will be determined based on current staffing availability.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. Employees will be required to follow any other job\-related instructions and to perform any other job\-related duties requested by his/her manager.

Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. Employees will be required to follow any other job\-related instructions and to perform any other job\-related duties requested by his/her manager.

Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center.