Lab Assistant/Microbiology Technician - Waukesha Memorial - 0.8 FTE, 2nd Shift

What You Will Do:

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant – Microbiology Technician (CLA-Micro Tech) is responsible for accurate and efficient receipt, processing, and distribution of laboratory specimens from inpatients, outpatients, and outside clients in Microbiology. The CLA-Micro Tech maintains proficiency of the laboratory and hospital information systems, performs and results waived and non-waived testing. The CLA-Micro Tech processes primary culture specimens by inoculating various growth media, preparing slides for gram smear, and packaging specimens and inoculated cultures for transport to the reference lab. The CLA-Micro Tech acts as a liaison between the laboratory and nurses, pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare providers and the reference laboratory.

Responsibilities:

• Performs all functions in the Specimen Processing Department to ensure accurate and timely receipt and prompt distribution of specimens in the appropriate departments following established policies and procedures.
• Performs all functions in the Microbiology Department to ensure accurate and timely resulting of rapid antigen and molecular testing for infectious diseases.
• Accurately and completely labels specimens that are transferred to secondary and tertiary containers according to established laboratory policies and procedures.
• Plans and organizes workflow relative to specimen priorities, responding to Stat specimen requests in a timely manner and flagging these specimens for prompt attention by the technical laboratory team to meet clinical needs and assure customer satisfaction.
• Assists with loading specimens on analyzers in various departments.
• Performs all Microbiology culture set-up including manipulation (grinding) of surgically-collected tissue, cyto-centrifugation of sterile body fluids, selection and inoculation of appropriate media based on culture type and specimen source, and streaking agar plates (growth media) for isolation of microorganisms.
• Prepares primary gram smear slides on both Stat and Routine culture specimens.
• Packages primary specimens and inoculated culture media for transport to reference lab in accordance with the policies of the reference laboratory.
• Monitors quality and function of portable incubators for specimen and culture transport.
• Accurately documents all packaged and transported contents in the PHC Lab Information System.
• Uses Lab IS reports to capture workload and investigate missing or delayed specimens or missing / delayed lab results.
• Documents exceptions to specimen integrity, works closely with the reference laboratory to create the optimal culture-growth environment for irretrievable specimens that are submitted sub-optimally to the laboratory.
• Performs and results waived and non-waived laboratory testing procedures in specimen processing and microbiology departments.
• Performs and documents Quality Control and takes corrective action including reporting of issues to laboratory leadership.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Completion of approved Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant program preferred
• ASCP Phlebotomy Certification preferred