Laboratory Assistant - MedLabs (Full Time) - UnityPoint Health

This position plays an important role in the lab interacting with patients and nursing personnel. It is a non-credentialed position that supports preanalytical, analytical and post analytical laboratory workflows. Responsibilities include all the following: 1) registration, 2) inpatient, outpatient or outreach phlebotomy, 3) sample processing/aliquoting/prepping for transport/testing and 4) performs CLIA waived testing.

Why UnityPoint Health?

• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.
• Benefits – Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options like 401K match, paid time off and education assistance that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

    Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org.

Pre-Analytic workflows

• Greets everyone with a pleasant and professional manner, using patient experience best practice guidelines (AIDET, 5/10 Rule and No-Point, etc.)
• Identifies patients and samples using two patient identifiers, always labeling samples in the presence of the patient.
• Performs medical venous and capillary blood collections independently for patients of all ages within specified safety parameters, timelines and pace.
• Performs sample receiving, accessioning, processing, aliquoting, preparation for transport and/or delivery to testing areas.
• Utilizes supply items in a cost-effective manner, recognizing when to reorder and assisting with unpacking and/or restocking items.
• Achieves basic understanding of lab tests to answer patient questions in an easy to understand way.

Analytic workflows

• Performs CLIA waived testing on medical samples in accordance with manufacturer specifications using good laboratory practice.
• Works efficiently with the workflow and workload.
• Documents routine instrument maintenance; elevates non-routine issues to management.

Post-Analytic workflows

• Follows appropriate reporting protocols including critical value reporting.
• Monitors pending logs and work queues and resolves pending tests and registration errors.
• Prepares and logs samples for proper storage and retention.

Committed Team

• Prioritizes work in the best interest of the patient, sharing the work with team members.
• Assists with training new employees and students, being helpful and supportive in their teaching.
• Attends department huddles, staff meetings and other required training.
• Checks emails regularly for huddle minutes and important communications relevant to assignment.

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.
• Multicultural sensitivity.
• Microsoft Office – basic computer skills.
• Customer/patient focused.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems used on analyzers, Sunquest and EPIC.
• Critical thinking skills using independent judgment in making decisions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of computer programs for patient identification, registration, order, and sample tracking.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of computer programs for reporting test results.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.