As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

500236 Surgical Pathology SMH

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URC 206 H

Compensation Range:

$21.40 - $28.89

Responsibilities:

Oversees and coordinates the flow of specimens throughout the laboratory. Provides oversight of assigned section and holds staff accountable for professional conduct and technical performance. Performs a variety of technical assignments involving sequences of related operations. Exercises moderate skill, judgment, and a knowledge of the terminology and common procedures and practices of a technical field. Processes information involving laboratory specimens, patient demographics, patient billing information for computing activity, and operating pre-analytical automation. Follows written procedures and ensures appropriate practices are followed. Identifies and processes specimens while maintaining specimen integrity for laboratory testing. Trains new or less experienced staff and acts as Tech in Charge, as needed. Travels between testing locations, as needed. Exercises complex skill and judgment, and knowledge of the principles and methods of a technical field.

Essential Functions:

• Holds staff accountable for the accurate and timely completion of assigned activities. Ensures that staff follow laboratory, safety and security policies and procedures.
• Monitors employees’ performance and department turnaround times (TATs).  Investigates and reports suggestions for corrective action to the operations coordinator and supervisors.  Discusses and documents promptly any personnel issues with the appropriate supervisor.  Participates in evaluating employees.   
• Performs troubleshooting as needed, including missing samples, and follows up on problems.   Assumes responsibility for defining priorities during extraordinary situations (i.e., sick calls, safety and security incidents, emergency/“disaster” situations).
• Completes check lists, preventative maintenance logs, work queues, and pending lists daily.
• Participates in QA initiatives.  Collects shift data required for QA monitors.  Continuously assesses work processes and makes suggestions to the supervisor for improved work methods and ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and solve operational problems
• Enters patient demographic and insurance information efficiently and accurately.  Enters information into the electronic medical record.  Ensures completion of all required fields.  Understands required information on requisitions. Follows all procedures.
• Logs patient and test information from requisitions into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).  Understands how to utilize UR Medicine Labs Test Menu and verifies that acceptable criteria are met.  Understands how to read requisitions from different sources.   Recognizes unacceptable specimen criteria and enters problem test to ensure a proper resolution can be made.
• Receives pre-accessioned specimens into the LIS from varying sources.  Reconciles batch manifests and accounts for all specimens.  Identifies specimen requirements and documents discrepancies or unacceptable criteria in the LIS. 
• Identifies specialized testing requests and prioritizes specimens to meet the requested TAT. Triages samples received through the chute or drop-off window.
• Prepares specimens and determines stability, volume, need for centrifugation, and type of aliquotting technique to ensure the integrity of the specimen.
• Utilizes judgment and prioritization to distribute specimens to the appropriate department for prompt analysis. 
• Works on related specialized assignments within the department.  Performs specific studies, performs and documents preventive maintenance on equipment as needed. Maintains and troubleshoots automation. Resolves billing problems. Handles samples for interfaced labs. Creates electronic manifests, prepares, and batches specimens at appropriate temperatures. Ensures appropriate forms and documentation accompany specimens for non-interfaced clients. Processes irretrievable tissues and determines source codes. Enters appropriate and accurate critical accessioning data.  Provides support to OR for specimen retrieval and an eight-point quality assurance check. Enters source codes and ensures specimen acceptability criteria.  Loads analyzers for testing.  Troubleshoots and resolves problems. 
• Receives phone inquiries from providers, physicians, customers, and internal lab personnel. Assesses the urgency of the situation and determines the appropriate routing. Investigates problem specimens that result in calling the provider for resolution. Utilizes LIS for inputting complaints, documenting specimen requests, and specimen integrity issues.  
• Contributes to keeping the laboratory orderly and clean to ensure a safe work environment and the highest quality of work performance.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Associate's degree in a related field and 1 year of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Support Tech III, or 3 years of related work experience in a health care setting, including other lab divisions within UR Medicine such as Client Services, Phlebotomy, Clinical Trials, or similar roles required.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to identify and resolve problems required. 
• Ability to pay attention to detail and handle frequent interruptions required.
• Works well in a team environment required.
• Functions effectively in a rapidly changing environment required.
• Proficiency with multiple information systems for the hospital and laboratory, including but not limited to Electronic Medical Record System, Laboratory Information System, Pre-Analytical automation Control Unit and Middleware required.
• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.