Specimen Processor - Lead

About the role

Job Summary The Lead Processor -Specimen Processing is semi-technical position that provides service to several lab technical areas. The Lead Processor assists the Section Supervisor with day-to-day operational oversight of the Specimen Processing lab section. The Lead also functions as a trainer. Duties are multi-varied and include a variety of special, preanalytical handling of invasively obtained or sterile specimens. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: ensuring the validity and integrity of clinical specimens, ensuring doctors' orders are executed correctly, special specimen handling for esoteric testing, handling and processing of legal specimens. A very fast paced environment with frequent subjection to a variety of biohazards. Employee performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres to National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policy and procedures. Minimum Job Qualifications Licensure or other certifications: Educational Requirements: High School Diploma Minimum Experience: Two (2) - three (3) years of continuous employment in a lab related position such as specimen processor or phlebotomist Other: Preferred Job Qualifications Preferred Licensure or other certifications: Preferred Educational Requirements: Preferred Experience: Bilingual skills are a plus Other: Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Good interpersonal and customer service skills Knowledge of basic computer Manual dexterity, problem solving, following detailed instructions Good communication skills Essential Tasks and Responsibilities Trains new hires and the retraining of existing staff as needed. Assists in hiring, counseling staff and other personnel actions as requested by Lab Management. Supervises completion of work according to department policy and with-in established time frame. Completes all reports requested by the Section Supervisor in established time frame. Assists in the investigation of complaints and incidents as requested by Lab Management. Communicates with laboratory managers, supervisors or other staff about problems and concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Performs functions related to the pneumatic tube workstation. Receives and distributes all samples collected by nursing, by phlebotomy, and outpatient draw area. Maintains communication with phlebotomist on floors as well as front desk for handling add-ons, re-printing of labels, etc. Deals effectively with other hospital departments to help resolve sample problems with phlebotomy and nursing. Deals effectively with outside clients to resolve issues, assist with order clarification, or answer questions they present. Performs effectively and efficiently in complex emergency situations such as multiple trauma or disaster and stroke alerts. Ensures the integrity of all submitted clinical specimens. Processes surgically obtained, irreplaceable samples, body fluids, CSF, 24-hour urine samples, Cord bloods, PKU's and courtesy/research samples. Receives and routes orders to registration or client bill areas, logs in, labels and dispenses samples to correct departments within lab. Responsible for storing any extra samples for proper length of time in lab and also for storing research samples for oncology areas of hospital. Maintains QA records and temperature logs of department. Ensures proper routing of all samples to outside reference labs. Maintains ten (10) + different reference lab locations for outside testing. (Would include resolving a pending log). Receives and distributes all outside pathology/cytology samples as well as all after regular hour samples entering the lab. Ensures proper sample labeling error documentation using Variance Report for un-labeled, mis-labeled and any situation that is against the standard operating procedure for lab samples. Performs specialized, in-depth investigation of new test(s). Checks pricing, turnaround times, testing methods and is helpful in evaluating where to route odd or non-routine testing for patients or Clients. Works closely with LAB IT, Pathology/Cytology, and all lab departments to investigate process improvements, then providing ideas and implementing when needed. Assists Section Supervisor with task assignment/position seating for department staff weekly rotation on different shifts. Provides leadership of the Specimen Processing dept when Supervisor is absent. Responsible for interface resulting where available; as well as manually resulting test results where interface is not available. Responsible for troubleshooting billing error issues closely with management and works to improve processes with this area of lab. Physical Demands Weight Lifted: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time Weight Carried: