Description

Purpose:

• Works with Technical staff in the Laboratory to support analytic activities with tasks required prior to specimen analysis.
• Duties and responsibilities may vary by location and by services provided by the hiring department.

Responsibilities:

All duties of a Specimen Processor including:

• Answers phone inquiries.
• Investigates specimen status and report disposition.
• Directs callers to additional resources as needed.
• Receives, sorts, prepares and delivers testing-ready specimens for analysis to work areas.
• Demonstrates service orientation approach by conveying courtesy, respect, enthusiasm and a positive attitude in work situations.

Additional duties:

• Performs routine and basic instrument maintenance according to established protocols.
• Records temperatures if required.
• Assists with restocking supplies to maintain an optimal inventory.
• Maintains clean and orderly storage spaces for room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen supplies.
• Prepares and replenishes instrument reagents and consumables as needed.
• Performs QA / QC procedures as assigned.
• Assists with specimen/slide storage and retrieval.
• Checks pending work lists.
• Investigates and resolves any unprocessed work.
• Decontaminates work area, keeping a neat and clean working environment.
• Keeps any glassware clean and dry, including tests for residue removal as needed.
•  Tests and cleans emergency eyewashes and showers as assigned.
• Sorts laboratory waste as needed and ensures that proper disposal occurs.
• Transports specimens off-site and delivers supplies where required.
• Additional duties (Pennsylvania locations only):
•  Prepares specimens at workstations for testing.
• Includes building worklists, checking specimens for acceptability (clots, QNS), aliquoting specimens, loading/unloading specimens onto instruments.
• Prepares microscopic slides and plants specimens in microbiologic growth media where required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent, and at least 2yrs experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) required in a clinical lab, OR
• Associate degree (with biology and chemistry courses) and at least 1yr of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab, OR
• Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant certification and 1yr of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab, OR
• Successful completion of a 50wk U.S. military medical laboratory training course, OR
• B.S. degree from an accredited institution with a major in a biological or clinical laboratory science OR
• Currently enrolled in a MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or equivalent training program, with 3 yrs college credits required.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Medical Laboratory Assistant MLA (ASCP) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Valid driver's license if one is departmentally required.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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