Lab Assistant

Job TitleLaboratory TechnicianLocationFort Belvoir, VAPay$22.59/hr & Health & Wellness $4.93*/hr worked (in lieu of benefits)BenefitsVest vacation, sick leave, holiday leave, Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Short Term DisabilityOptional Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(K) matching with employee participation in 401(K) planResponsibilitiesScreens patient information and collects and processes specimens for testing.Performs testing in the Microbiology, Chemistry, Serology, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, and Immunohematology sections including specimen receipt, preparation, analysis, and reporting of results.Checks patient identification.Orders and accessions tests into the Composite Health Care System.Instructs patients on proper specimen collection techniques and provides patients with necessary specimen collection equipment and containers.Draws blood by venipuncture and takes capillary blood samples for a variety of test procedures on a routine or urgent basis. Uses special drawing techniques in collecting blood from elderly persons, infants, children or other difficult patients.Ensures proper collection and possessing of specimens for reference laboratory testing. Prepares test orders. Packages specimens in accordance with federal regulatory guidelines. Monitors the timely receipt of test results from the laboratory. Tracks test results, and promptly delivers them to the requesting provider. Transcribes completed laboratory reports received from reference laboratories into CHCS.Instructs and provides technical guidance to new personnel regarding practical application of laboratory procedures and methodologies; reviews their work; and notes and reports training progress to their instructor(s).Operates complex analyzers and microscopes, centrifuges, incubators, spectrophotometers, and similar laboratory instruments. Calibrates, standardizes, troubleshoots, and maintains the equipment in accordance with manual specifications and standard procedures. Monitors proper application of automated methodologies as performed by the computerized analytical instruments.Isolate and identify all fungi, mycobacterium, or related microorganisms from patient specimens, environmental sources, and proficiency surveys.Inputs data and results in hospital-wide computer system making corrections as required for proper diagnosis and treatment of the patient.Integrates and correlates test data with other laboratory and patient data to evaluate validityEnsures detected testing errors are resolved and specimens are retested before results are reported.Maintains appropriate quality control data specific for individual tests performed.Reports critical or STAT test values by telephone to the provider and documents "read back".Ensures sound infection control practices are followed and that the correct personal protective equipment is used for tasks performed.Complies with safety standards and practices and alerts supervisor of any potential safety hazards.Must participate in the College of American Pathologist (CAP) Proficiency Testing and clinic certification.May be required to work other than normal duty hours including weekends and perform light general cleaning of work areas.Perform other duties as needed and assigned.QualificationsMust possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Graduation from a medical laboratory technician training program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA), or American Medical Technologists (AMT), or state licensure as a medical laboratory technician.One year related experience preferred.Have and maintain current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS).Shall be able to read, write, and speak English well enough to effectively communicate with patients and other staff members.Have knowledge of computer operations and proficiency in the use of basic word processing, data entry, and automated records.