Clinical Laboratory Assistant 3 - Plantation

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The UHealth Laboratories Department at the University of Miami has an exciting opportunity for a  Clinical Laboratory Assistant 3

CORE JOB SUMMARY

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant 3 performs a variety of routine duties in assisting technical and professional personnel in clinical and research laboratories. An incumbent in this position provides broad support for the laboratory operations.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Identifies, handles, and accessions patient samples requiring laboratory testing.

2. Transports specimens and communicates test results timely and accurately.

3. Maintains required laboratory files and logs system in a neat and accurate manner.

4. Performs specimen processing, such as centrifugation, aliquoting, and volume measurement.

5. Maintains adequate inventory level as per protocol.

6. Participates in the performance improvement processes for the department.

7. Maintains assigned work area in a clean and orderly condition.

8. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information according to federal and state guidelines and regulations.

9. Generates patient reports and forwards them to the proper departments/physicians.

10. Investigates and responds to all inquiries related to referral testing; Answers all inquiries made by the Reference Lab and resolves problems associated with improper or inadequate samples. Provides responses to all inquiries made by physicians or patient unit personnel related to specimen requirements.

11. Maintains adequate inventory levels as per protocol and rotates previous stock when it applies.

12. Reviews packing slips, verifies number of items received, documents, and provides copies to supervisor/designee.

13. Serves as a lead/Back-up when Supervisor is unavailable.

14. Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent/relevant experience, certification or license

Experience: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience required

Certification and Licensing: Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
• Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.

DEPARTMENT ADDENDUM

Department Specific Functions

Leadership, Training, and Technical Resource

• Serves as a departmental resource and mentor for Clinical Laboratory Assistant I and II staff.
• Assists with orientation, onboarding, training, and competency validation of new employees.
• Provides guidance and troubleshooting support for specimen collection, processing, order entry, and laboratory workflows.
• Functions as a resource for clinics, physician offices, and laboratory personnel regarding laboratory testing requirements and procedures.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively articulate and communicate laboratory testing information to healthcare providers, staff, and patients.
• Assists supervisors and managers with daily workflow coordination and operational coverage.

Quality Assurance, Compliance, and Problem Resolution

• Ensures adherence to patient identification, specimen labeling, chain-of-custody, and specimen handling requirements.
• Maintains compliance with CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission, OSHA, and institutional policies and procedures.
• Identifies, documents, investigates, and assists in resolving pre-analytical errors, specimen-related issues, and quality concerns.
• Participates in investigations of specimen-related incidents and recommends corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluates specimens for acceptability and initiates appropriate corrective actions when specimens do not meet established criteria.
• Investigates collection, labeling, and order-related discrepancies and escalates concerns as appropriate.
• Applies advanced problem-solving skills to resolve operational and specimen management issues.

Laboratory Information Systems and Documentation

• Utilizes Epic (UChart), LIS, Sunquest, CoPath, SoftLab, and other laboratory information systems to verify orders, document activities, and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintains accurate and complete electronic documentation in accordance with departmental and regulatory standards.
• Scans laboratory reports and supporting documentation into UChart.
• Monitors and manages pending test lists for both in-house and reference laboratory testing.

Advanced Specimen Processing and Management

• Processes, centrifuges, aliquots, decants, labels, and prepares specimens in accordance with departmental procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates and prepares specimens for referral testing, send-outs, courtesy testing, and external reference laboratory services.
• Tracks specimen batches, referrals, and sample status to ensure timely testing and accurate results reporting.
• Performs specimen add-on testing procedures following established protocols.
• Prepares monthly logs and documentation for specimen tracking, retention, and storage requirements.

Specialized Accessioning and Laboratory Operations

• Accession, verify, and process complex and specialized specimens, including:

• • Cytology Specimens
  • Stem Cell Specimens
  • Blood Bank Specimens
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
  • Bronchial Lavage Samples
  • Immunology/Histocompatibility Laboratory (IHL) Specimens
  • Microbiology Specimens

•  Demonstrates working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology necessary to support specimen processing and laboratory operations.

Customer Service and Communication

• Acts as a liaison between laboratory personnel, nursing units, physician offices, clinics, external clients, and patients.
• Provides technical guidance regarding test requirements, specimen collection procedures, transportation requirements, and specimen integrity standards.
• Communicates specimen rejection notifications, recollection requirements, and testing recommendations in a timely and professional manner.

Specimen Receiving and Front Desk Operations

• Receives, sorts, verifies, and inspects specimens and accompanying documentation from internal departments and external collection sites.
• Performs front desk and accessioning functions to ensure proper specimen receipt, identification, and distribution.

Equipment and Operational Support

• Reports equipment malfunctions and coordinates service requests and follow-up activities as necessary.

Department Specific Qualifications                                                                                     

Education: A College Degree is preferred, or Experience of at least 4 years continuously   

Experience:A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience 

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Microsoft 360 features
• Know how to send emails and respond to them as well
• Phone Etiquette
• Know how to use Epic
• Know how to log Data
• Know how to read and record measurements
• Be able to utilize Sunquest, COPATH, Soft Bank, UCHART, SmarTerm and all Reference Lab portals
• Know the viability of samples
• Positive, Happy and Caring Attitudes

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

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