MED OFFICE LAB ASSISTANT

About the Role

Covenant Health Oncology Group is part of the region’s largest cancer-fighting network.

Position Summary

The Medical Office Laboratory Assistant performs venipunctures and processes clinical laboratory specimens for diagnosis and treatment. Responsibilities include performing test analyses, reporting results, and maintaining patient records for waived and moderately complex clinical laboratory testing performed at the physician office laboratory (POL). The individual will also refer POL testing to a reference laboratory when appropriate and perform only authorized processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Registers patient accounts, ensuring proper patient identification and billing accuracy.
• Tracks and submits pertinent testing records to appropriate financial departments.
• Assists with patient account and billing troubleshooting.
• Directs, escorts, and/or provides wheelchair assistance to patients upon entering and exiting the laboratory.
• Collects venous blood samples following collection procedures.
• Uses two unique patient identifiers at specimen collection and accurately labels all specimens.
• Properly uses the referring hospital’s Blood Bank identification system when labeling Blood Bank specimens.
• Places Blood Bank armband on patient at collection.
• Uses aseptic technique when collecting blood culture specimens.
• Provides patients with supplies and collection instructions for specimens collected directly by patients (e.g., 24-hour urines, fecal hemoccult cards).
• Processes and handles all specimens according to procedures, including recognition of test priorities, centrifugation, separation/distribution of shared specimens, tracking of specimens for transport to off-site reference labs, proper labeling of aliquots, special collection requirements, and special storage/shipment instructions.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots applicable laboratory equipment (e.g., thermometers, centrifuges, printers, fax/copy machines).
• Notifies the laboratory manager when equipment needs repair or replacement.
• Records all maintenance and corrective action documentation on appropriate logs per policies.
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test system instrumentation deviates from established performance specifications.
• Follows established corrective action policies and procedures when test systems are not within acceptable performance levels.
• Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies.
• Documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed.
• Completes and retains all pertinent maintenance logs and other records in a timely and orderly fashion for review.
• Reconstitutes and/or properly mixes calibrators, quality controls materials, reagents, consumables, and linearity kits per manufacturer instructions with precise equipment (e.g., pipettes, graduated cylinders).
• Follows proper storage requirements of reconstituted materials.
• Performs parallel testing of new lots and/or shipments of materials if indicated by laboratory policy.
• Submits quality control data to corresponding agency if and when required per policy.
• Performs high quality laboratory testing with speed and accuracy.
• Documents patient results.
• Evaluates specimen quality (e.g., hemolysis, clots, icteria, lipemia) before testing as policy indicates.
• Evaluates patient results to make decisions on the validity of test results and determines if reference laboratory validation testing is needed.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting and either corrects them or immediately notifies the Laboratory Manager.
• Regularly participates in an outside proficiency testing program.
• Maintains performance records of proficiency testing, showing challenge samples are tested in the same manner as patient samples.
• Assists Laboratory Manager in instrument validations, linearity studies, and miscellaneous investigatory work.
• Serves as a resource to the Genetic Testing and Clinical Trials departments when needed.
• Communicates with reference labs regarding incomplete test orders, required specimen types, and other quality metrics.
• Maintains and disinfects work area.
• Uses standard precautions, handles biohazard waste, demonstrates proper use of PPE, and needle sharps safety according to policy.
• Utilizes EMR to manage patient schedules, test orders, and results.
• Monitors incomplete testing and collection lists.
• Plans work to ensure maximum productivity with minimum carry-over work, while keeping overtime to a minimum.
• Communicates necessary information about patient samples or equipment performance to other appropriate staff.
• Demonstrates the ability to handle varying tasks and set priorities.
• Exercises cost-conscious methods such as punctuality, efficient use of time and supplies.
• Displays competence in use of HIS, LIS, registration, scheduling, and reference lab computer systems (e.g., Mayo, STAR, Cerner, LabDaq).
• Activates manual systems for computer network downtime, printing schedules in advance when necessary.
• Notifies leadership of unscheduled downtime occurrences.
• Knowledgeable of manual systems for ordering, collection, verification, and charting in instances of computer failure.
• Monitors proper expirations, rotation, and supply of inventory ordering as needed.
• Assumes responsibility for the area in the absence of the Laboratory Manager.
• Participates in department meetings and is accountable for communicated information.
• Professionally communicates with patients, physicians, visitors, and other hospital staff members.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient information.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new and existing employees.
• Local travel required.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards.
• Completes required education assignments annually.
• Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Basic computer skills
• Medical terminology
• Registration skills
• Phlebotomy skills
• EMR
• HIS
• LIS
• Mayo
• STAR
• Cerner
• LabDaq

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Basic computer skills, medical terminology, registration, and phlebotomy skills or equivalent combination of clinical/clerical skills.
• Must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license and state-mandated minimum insurance coverage.
• Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.