Laboratory Assistant Jobs

Conducts a variety of laboratory tests and duties according to established laboratory procedures and in compliance with Cherokee Nation Policies and Procedures, Rural Health Guidelines, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88), and the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) or the College of American Pathology (CAP) regulations, while working under the supervision of a Laboratory Supervisor and/or Laboratory Director.

Routine duties shall include providing health care services to individuals eligible for services in accordance with the self-governance compact and funding agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the United States executed under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Practices only within the boundaries of competence, based on documented education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. This level should not practice above moderate complexity testing. Provides health services of a scope, quality, and quantity consistent with Cherokee Nation policies. Must display the skills required to assess and verify the validity of patient, from QC values and interfering substances. Must show a working knowledge of the factors that influence test results, i.e., hemolyzed, lipemic, or icteric specimens. Must have a working knowledge of reagent stability and storage. Properly collects specimens from patients including, but not limited to venous blood draws, urine, and stool samples. Determines specimens' adequacy, identification, and appropriateness according to test procedures and the laboratory’s specimen acceptance/rejection criteria. Processes samples for testing, including centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, and shipping. Provides support for advanced clinical testing such as peripheral blood slide preparation or plating/preparing micro specimens. Performs specimen testing and prepares specimens appropriately according to the test procedure being performed, and maintains the specimen's integrity. This position will not perform testing above the moderately complex level. Resolves technical problems and takes remedial actions whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications. Ensure that patient’s results are not reported until all corrective action has been taken and the test system is functioning correctly. Operates and maintains laboratory instruments and takes immediate corrective action to restore proper operation of the instruments. Reads and understands all policies pertaining to specific duties within a particular CNHS facility. Performs routine maintenance, QC, calibration, and standardization on some/all instruments within an established time frame. Keeps accurate and up-to-date records of such performance and quality control checks. Recognizes any malfunction of instruments and takes immediate corrective action to restore proper operation of the instruments. Notifies providers/other healthcare professionals when test results will be delayed. Notifies providers/other healthcare professionals of critical results. Follows all safety policies and procedures, including but not limited to general safety, hazardous communication, chemical hygiene plan, and blood borne pathogens. Cleans work area and maintains the appearance of the laboratory. Participates in quality improvement activities and reports as assigned. Resupply work stations as needed; submit information about supply shortages to appropriate personnel for re-ordering. Required to maintain documented training with annual re-evaluation for laboratory procedures and operation of laboratory instruments per applicable accreditation standards. Must possess current technical and analytical knowledge, including the ability to perform and evaluate laboratory testing in the multi-modality area of the laboratory, i.e., multi-tasking skills. Ability to perform phlebotomy services as required. Adheres to professional and ethical standards set forth by Cherokee Nation Health Services. Maintains verifiable records at an institution or facility with a published records retention policy equal to or exceeds the retention required by federal, tribal, and/or state regulations. Maintains the confidentiality of any information received from any person or source about a client/patient unless authorized in writing by the client/patient or required by law or court order. Complies with the applicable state and federal regulations regarding the security, safety, and confidentiality of any health services record created, maintained, transferred, or destroyed, whether the document is written, taped, computerized, or stored in any other medium. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibility.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); no exceptions.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

At least one (1) year of experience in a related field.

COMPUTER SKILLS

An individual should know Internet software, Spreadsheet software, and Word Processing software.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Proof of completion of a NAACLS accredited Clinical Assistant (CA) program. Registration as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or as a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant (CMLA) from the American Medical Technologist (AMT) or equivalent and must maintain throughout employment. Must possess Basic Life Support (BLS) and maintain throughout employment. If not certified, BLS may be obtained within ninety (90) days of employment.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE)

Must meet and maintain periodic background investigation and adjudication for child care.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to Correct/Adjust Focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT T

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee may frequently be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.