Job Summary

Assesses, accessions, and processes patient specimens in preparation for testing in the various sections of Laboratory Medicine.

Job Duties

• Safely handles potentially infectious blood, body fluids, and other patient specimens in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Assesses suitability and acceptability of patient specimens.
• Rejects unacceptable specimens according to established protocols.
• Matches order information with specimen information to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
• Accessions and results according to procedure via appropriate computer application.
• Correctly assigns billing numbers, location codes, and physician numbers.
• Verifies physician orders when test requests are unclear.
• Prepares specimens as appropriate including centrifugation, aliquoting, labeling.
• Delivers prepared specimens to appropriate testing area in a timely manner.
• Applies laboratory internet programs to store specimens and to locate, retrieve, and process specimens for additional testing as requested.
• Maintains computer logs, quality control, disinfection procedures, and departmental assigned duties.
• Manages phone inquiries and provides information regarding specimen collection, transport, and patient results as appropriate.
• Navigates and accesses multiple computer applications as needed.
• Assists with packaging ordering and referral of specimens to reference laboratories in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation and commercial carrier regulations as required.
• Troubleshoots missing specimens and other preanalytical errors including courier log review, specimen archives.
• Maintains equipment, participates in established preventative maintenance program, and alerts supervisor of any equipment problems.
• Assists in proper handling, storage, and maintenance of supplies, notifies supervisor when inventory is low.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Position Details

This position is anticipated to work 8-hour shifts with a 30-minute lunch break. Hours could rotate 7a-330p, 730a-4p or 8a-430p, workstation dependent. This position will participate in an every-third-weekend rotation and will cover two holidays per year.

GMC is home to our microbiology lab, which features full-service microbial diagnostics 24 hours/7 days a week. Specialties include bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteriology, virology, and molecular microbiology. Our microbiology team annually performs more than one million billable tests with opportunities to work up highly complex and unusual bacterial cases. 

Geisinger benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, that starts day one of employment
• Three medical plan choices, including options to save with a flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA)
• Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Competitive 401(K) plan that includes an automatic 5% Geisinger contribution starting day one of employment
• PTO plan that allows you to earn more time more quickly
• MyHealth Rewards wellness program to improve your health and earn monetary incentives
• Family support that includes adoption assistance, IVF and IUI coverage, paid parental leave, paid military leave and a free Care.com membership with discounted backup care for your loved ones.

Laboratory Assistants are critical to the success of our laboratories. Geisinger offers a career pathway from the laboratory assistant position to a medical technologist role! Our laboratory assistants who have a life sciences BS degree can work while taking subsidized courses through our partnership with the online Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of North Dakota (UND). Upon completion of this program and passing board examinations, you'll become a medical technologist with Geisinger. Geisinger offers tuition assistance and departmental mentorship to help make this growth possible!

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)- (Required), Bachelor's Degree- (Preferred)

Experience

Certification(s) and License(s)

OUR PURPOSE & VALUES: Everything we do is about caring for our patients, our members, our students, our Geisinger family and our communities. KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves. EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence. LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow. INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation. SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners. Perhaps just as important, from senior management on down, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality. We know that a diverse workforce with unique experiences and backgrounds makes our team stronger. Our patients, members and community come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and it takes a diverse workforce to make better health easier for all. We are proud to be an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer Women and Minorities are Encouraged to Apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status.

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