Medical Laboratory Assistant

The Medical Laboratory Assistant I has responsibility for the processing organizing labeling and transporting of specimens for laboratory testing. Duties also include the input and extraction of data from the Laboratory Information System and the performance of clerical tasks such as answering phones and filing documents.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental Scope of Service and Provision of Care plans as applicable for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional ethical physical and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth dignity and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET Managing Up Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees experiential journeys to ensure strong communication ease of access to information and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organizations vision fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares specimens for courier pick up and delivery to referral lab as necessary. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.

• Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Files requisitions reports and other pathology materials appropriately. Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.

• Organizes workload and sets priorities. Keeps work area neat clean and well stocked. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Receives triages orders labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing. Processes specimens aliquots and/or slides/blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories. Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Assists pathologist and/or other laboratory personnel with specimen grossing as needed.

• Recognizes problems (such as mislabels incorrect tube type etc. identifies causes and takes corrective action to solve basic problems.

• Operates automated instrumentation as applicable at entity following all safety measures. Performs and documents any processing equipment maintenance.

• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory following all policies and procedures for safety hazardous materials security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.

• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in departmental projects activities and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

This job description is not intended to be allinclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED verification of homeschool equivalency partial or full completion of postsecondary education etc.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience in a laboratory preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job determined through ongoing evaluations consisting of one or more of the following: skills competency assessments and/or performance reviews

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients visitors physicians and coworkers

• Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of specimen requirements for testing processing and proper waste disposing

• Possesses basic computer knowledge to operate multiple computer systems to include Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients physicians family members and coworkers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform
• Scrubs
• Business professional
• Other (department approved)

ONCALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be oncall during emergencies (ie. DIsaster Severe Weather Events etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call*

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area

Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened in 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 187bed 470000squarefoot fullservice acute care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also on the $380 million hospital campus located at the intersection of I45 and TX 242 is a medical office building which opened in 2016. Medical Office Building 1 includes a breast care center cancer center & infusion center orthopedics & sports medicine rehabilitation services wellness services and an outpatient laboratory in addition to multispecialty physician practices. A second medical office building and 785car parking garage opened in 2018.