ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                      Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)       

REPORTS TO POSITION:         Laboratory Specimen Processing and Courier Supervisor

DEPARTMENT:                         Laboratory

DATE LAST REVIEWED:          July 2021

OUR VISION:                            Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                         In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                          Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY: The laboratory departments provide many services to our multi-hospital organization and outreach community including: blood collection, processing, testing, and reporting of results, spanning all disciplines of laboratory medicine.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) registers, orders, and processes specimens from in-house draws and courier runs and assists clients from outside the laboratory with questions or problems. The MLA will support the workflow in the technical area of the laboratory. This position does not directly manage other caregivers, however may be asked to review and provide feedback on the work of other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Processes inpatient and outpatient specimens to maintain their integrity. Communicates with reference laboratories and navigates multiple reference laboratory websites to ensure proper collection, processing transport, testing, and reporting of all referral testing.

Meets all competency requirements and training timelines. Completes an in-depth sign off sheet related to processes and procedures performed by specimen processing.

Prioritizes ordering, receiving, and processing of specimens for testing according to urgency of need and type of tests ordered. Navigates through multiple complex computer systems to meet testing requirements and maintain specimen integrity. Prioritizes specimen processing using the Lab Information System.

Registers and orders testing as ordered by their physician and in compliance with system policies and procedures.

Thinks critically, multitasks, and maintains accuracy during periods of frequent interruptions in a fast-paced environment.

Supplies information to all clients and assists with any problems.

Participates in the distribution of results via fax, phone, or delivery, as designated or as requested by clients. Responsible for monitoring outstanding lists and call/fax lists to provide timely reporting of results.

Trains and mentors effectively using constructive feedback after meeting competency and experience requirements.

Assists with the pre-analytical, appropriate parts of analytical, and post-analytical steps of laboratory testing.

Performs maintenance on laboratory equipment.

Maintains inventory and ordering of supplies for technical areas of the laboratory.

Assists in department projects as needed.

Provide excellent customer service by: answering incoming calls, providing information about specimen requirements, ordering tests, and handling courier dispatch. 

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate. 

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:                  

Required: High school diploma or GED.            

Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s degree, or participation in college-level science classes preferred          

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: N/A

Preferred: Current national certification or licensure at the Assistant level by one or more of the following accredited credentialing agencies: ASCP, NHWA. Acceptable credentials: MLA (ASCP), NCMSMLA.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: Minimum one (1) year of paid customer service work experience.

Preferred: Two (2) years lab experience. Computer training and medical terminology knowledge.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, sitting, walking, lifting 1-10 pounds, keyboarding operation, grasping, squeezing

Occasionally (25%): Bending, carrying/pushing/pulling 1-10 pounds

Rarely (10%):  Stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing stairs, climbing ladder/step-stool, reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 11-25 pounds.

Never (0%): Lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 25-50 pounds, operation of motor vehicle, whispered speech level

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Rarely (10%):  Cold, Chemical solution.

Never (0%):  Heat, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours:

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