Description:
Lab Assistant – role and responsibilities:
The Lab Assistant role has 3 main functions.
1). Specimen Processing (please note, current order is mostly Specimen Processing but will cross train)
2). Office (patient past sheets, billing, data entry)
3). General Lab tasks.
1). Specimen Processing
- The Lab Assistant will receive blood samples that are delivered by mail, Fed Ex, courier, etc. The samples are assigned a unique id bar code and prepped for testing.
- The Lab Assistant will need to have excellent attention to detail to properly handle samples.
- The samples must be prepped for testing – separate the blood from the serum using a centrifuge.
- The Lab Assistant will also check the paperwork that is received and check for accuracy and completeness.
- The Lab Assistant must have excellent trouble shooting skills to resolve any issues or concerns regarding the paperwork or sample received.
- They must have excellent customer service skills to interface with the customer.
- The Lab Assistant will also assign a bar code to each sample.
- The Specimen Processing area is crucial to the Endocrine lab.
- If a sample is not prepped correctly or assigned to the wrong patient, it is a huge issue that would negatively impact the creditability of the lab.
- The Specimen Processing area does not perform the data entry related to the sample processing.
- The data entry process is performed by a related team at the lab.
- The Lab Assistant will need to have experience and be proficient with MS Excel and MS Word.
2). Office
- The Lab Assistant may carry out various tasks in the office setting, including preparation of patient past sheets, verification of patient records/data entry, preparation of patient documents for billing purposes, dispersal of patient reports (fax, email, mail, etc.), among other administrative tasks.
3). General Lab
- The Lab Assistant also carries out other general laboratory tasks, such as organizing, archiving, and pulling samples to and from freezers, taking temperatures of storage units, instrument maintenance tasks, routine inventory checks, among other laboratory duties.
Ideal Candidate Profile and Logistics:
- The Lab Assistant role is ideal for an individual with experience or knowledge in medical office or lab environment.
- BA/BS degree is not required.
- The lab is a serious work environment and workers who are less extraverted will be a better fit.
- The ideal candidate has 6-12 months experience working in a lab at school or professional environment.
- Past lab experience, is “very helpful” but, not required. Volunteer work is acceptable as well.