Overall Nature and Purpose of Position

The Laboratory Assistant /Phlebotomist under the supervision of a Laboratory Manager receives and collects patient specimens, performs pre-analytical specimen preparation, specimen processing, registration and accessioning of laboratory specimens and delivering them to the proper lab area for testing. Duties will encompass cleaning lab areas, looking up lab results, answering the phone, compiling reports, delivering reports, filing reports, faxing results and assisting patients at Mid Valley Hospital Laboratory.

Job Functions:

1. Matches patient labels to requisitions with positive patient identification.

2. Generates work batches for laboratory requisitions, printing labels and organizing specimen collection.

3. Performs venipunctures and capillary stick as required.

4. Performs specimen computer entry and processing; is familiar with all computerized functions that are necessary to generate laboratory requests and look up lab results.

5. Issue patients containers for cultures, 24 hour urines, routine urinalysis, parasites, and other laboratory collection supplies.

6. Dispose of contaminated materials.

7. Proper handling of incoming laboratory samples.

8. Knowledgeable of contents of sample collection, preparation and storage for send out and in house labs.

9. Performs collection and chain of custody for paternity and drug screens.

10. Assists in finding and distributing lab results, answering the phone, filing, faxing, printing, and compiling patient and other lab reports.

11. Orders lab supplies as assigned and monitors supply levels.

12. Maintains cleanliness and orderliness of lab: counters, drawing chair, phones, keyboards, sinks, refrigerators and freezers.

13. Assists in temperature readings and chart changes.

14. Sets up waived tests for the technician/technologist to read and report.

NOTE: The list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that your supervisor may deem necessary.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Greets all patients, visitors, physicians, and other staff members in a courteous, respectful and professional manner at all time. Responds to all patients with empathy and positive interpersonal skills at all times.
2. Reports for scheduled shift on time and prepared to assume responsibilities.

• Reports to work in proper uniform/attire.
• Leaves for meal break on time and returns on time.
• Varies work schedule to meet the needs of the department.
• Ensures the department manager has approved all scheduled overtime.
• Seek supervisor approval before working beyond scheduled hours that will result in overtime.
• Schedules all time off with supervisor’s approval.
• Strictly adheres to hospital attendance/tardiness policies 100% of the time.
• Performs all duties as assigned.
• Wears I.D. badge in a visible location at all times on hospital property.
• Protects I.D. and access badge and reports any issues or loss immediately to supervisor or to the Human Resource Department.

3. Attends and participates in meetings and is responsible for information communicated at meetings and in email.

• Attends all mandatory in service on a timely basis as scheduled.
• Participates as an active team member at staff meetings.
• Reads communications and acts upon in a positive and informative manner.

4. Identifies own educational needs and maintains appropriate skill level through educational opportunities.

5. Exercise a commitment to practicing behaviors that are in agreement with the spirit of cooperation and reflect the values described in the Code of Mutual Respect and Professionalism.

6. Assists all patients, family members, physicians, visitors, and employees in a professional and courteous manner.

• Extends special attention and sensitivity to all patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow employees.
• Actively promote diversity and inclusion across organization for both patients and coworkers while avoiding any language or actions considered to be discriminatory or derogatory regarding race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
• Assists in maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork with other departments and community partners.
• Demonstrates a genuine willingness to prevent or resolve inter-personal conflicts.
• Demonstrates the ability to participate in and/or implement team decisions.
• Adheres to HIPAA and all applicable privacy laws at all times, only sharing information on a “need to know” basis.

7. Follows Infection Control procedures at all times.

• Clinical Personnel: Strictly adheres to standard precautions by adhering to the usage of personal protective equipment when handling blood or body fluids.
• Non-Clinical Personnel: Washes hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water thoroughly and often in an effort to control spreading of germs within the department and facility.
• Adheres to isolation procedures at all times as applicable.

8. Adheres to the following environmental care standards.

• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of safety policies and procedures, the use of MSDS sheets, hazardous material procedures, and safety codes.
• Code Blue, Code Gray, Code Silver, Code Amber, Code Red, Code Orange, Rapid Response Team
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of security issues, i.e. personal protection, protection of personal and hospital property.

9. Be familiar with and comply with the Mid-Valley Hospital & Clinic Personnel Handbook and Policies.

10. Be familiar with the collective bargaining agreement (Union Contract) of the UFCW 21 and Mid-Valley Hospital.

11, Demonstrates the ability to adapt to varied age-specific patient populations.

• Non-Clinical Personnel: This position has no responsibility for the assessment, treatment, or care of patients. However, the ability to communicate and interact with patients of all ages is required.

Education/Experience:

High School Diploma or Equivalent/Prefer one year experience in Laboratory setting and phlebotomy skills

Licenses/Certification:

Current Washington State Medical Assistant Phlebotomist Certification.

CPR certification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Proven skills in performance of routine lab specimen processing of either general or a specific nature. Prior experience with computerization is preferred.

Speaking and listening skills are required to communicate with professional staff and physicians regarding technical aspects of the department, to direct work activities of the department in the absence of the manager, and to communicate with patients and personnel on all levels.

Ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and educational levels; i.e. patients, families, employees, physician; etc.

Physical/Sensory Demands:

This position involves an equal amount of standing and sitting in the performance of routine duties. A minimum of lifting or carrying is required. Good manual dexterity, use of a computer keyboard, and use of a telephone is mandatory. Excellent hand/eye coordination and excellent vision and color discrimination are required.

Working Conditions:

The employee will work in conditions where there is frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals and mechanical hazards. At times the noise level can be quite high and mental stress is increased with heavy workloads. Interruptions can be expected. There is also the continuous potential for exposure to infectious diseases due to the lab specimens being processed.

Health and Safety Requirements:

1. Updates CRP skills every two years.

2. Understands and complies with MVH safety procedures including code and evacuation procedures.

3. Complies with MVH standards pertaining to the use of sick leave and unpaid absences due to medical reasons.

4. Understands and follows all universal blood and body fluids precautions and associated engineering and work practice controls and personal protective equipment requirements.

5. Must not pose a threat to the safety and health of self or others. Must accurately process patient specimens; specimen mix-ups or errors will result in inaccurate patient test results and the probable need to have specimens recollected from the patients.

This position involves an equal amount of standing and sitting in the performance of routine duties. A minimum of lifting or carrying is required. Good manual dexterity, use of a computer keyboard, and use of a telephone is mandatory. Excellent hand/eye coordination and excellent vision and color discrimination are required.

Working Conditions:

The employee will work in conditions where there is frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals and mechanical hazards. At times the noise level can be quite high and mental stress is increased with heavy workloads. Interruptions can be expected. There is also the continuous potential for exposure to infectious diseases due to the lab specimens being processed.

WAGE AND COMPENSATION

Wage range $ 18.32 hr. - $ 26.64 hr. – DOE

Plus, the Per Diem rate of an additional 10%

Mid-Valley Hospital also offers Per Diem Employees Sick Leave at an accrual of 1 hour for every 40 hours worked. Per Diem employees can also enroll in a 403(b) deferred compensation plan and/or a 457 deferred compensation plan.