Laboratory Assistant 1 - Bellingham, United States - Northwest Pathology, PS

Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

This is a support position and duties vary from day to day based on the needs of the laboratory. Duties will include collation and distribution of case material, reagent preparation, equipment cleaning/maintenance, laboratory dishwashing, waste handling, data entry, inventory maintenance, assisting with incoming specimen receipt, and other support functions.

Northwest Pathology, P.S. dba Avero Diagnostics operates on a 24/7/365 basis; individuals may be required to work various shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Schedule flexibility with and without advanced notice is required.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Maintains cleanliness of histology area, including but not limited to gross room, embedding and microtomy areas, store room, etc.
• Maintains processors according to policies and procedures. Prepares processing reagents.
• Performs specimen disposal.
• Maintains the file room, files blocks, and slides according to policies and procedures.
• Maintains processors, stainers, coverslippers, and embedding equipment.
• Adheres to QC procedures established in the department.
• Exhibits a complete understanding of policies and procedures within areas of the Histology lab.
• Cross-trains in other areas of the lab as workload permits.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, cleanliness, safety, and infection control procedures.
• Maintain inventory and supply levels for histology and gross room.
• Appropriately communicates information within the laboratory between shifts with regards to tasks or notifications as needed.
• Attends and productively engages in designated team and/or department meetings, which may or may not occur outside of scheduled shifts.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of company and position.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSE

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; college degree is a plus
• Active and valid US State-Issued Driver's License with acceptable motor vehicle record as defined and approved by the company's vehicle insurance carrier.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 1 year of experience required:
  1. High demand, fast-paced, exceptional customer/patient service environment.
  2. Proficiency with computers and strong, accurate data entry/typing skills.
• Laboratory and/or healthcare environment experience is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology.
• Exhibits patience and approachability, sets positive tone and example for team member behavior, work ethic & quality, abilities, skills, and overall performance.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels; acts with high integrity.
• Establishes and maintains solid interpersonal relationships with team members across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrates and facilitates professional communication skills; must be able to understand, listen, write, and speak fluently, professionally, and, effectively in the English language.
• Motivated, responsible, and organized self-starter who excels at time management, timely follow-up, meeting commitments, and, possesses a passion for continuous learning and improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Pro-active ability to identify, assess, improve/refine, and solve complex challenges, processes and/or situations.
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively within a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth, team-based environment while successfully handling competing and ever-changing priorities and responsibilities with frequent interruptions.
• Solid track record of taking responsibility and holding one's self-accountable for high-quality task deliverables within established deadlines.
• Effective facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Exhibit personal presentation in a professional manner as it relates to appearance, communication, and actions.
• Proficient software/computer skills utilizing various applications which includes, but is not limited, to the following: MS Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, health care databases/systems, etc.
• Regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Focused on overall team success vs. solely on individual success.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• We share a collaborative obligation to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the utmost ethical manner and that we hold each other accountable to the values and standards of the organization. Every employee has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, and report concerns and/or violations of company policy or ethical standards.
• The organization has several processes in place to communicate with leadership and expects that employees will have a commitment to integrity and uncompromising values.
• This position works in a demanding, fast-paced office and lab environment with the need to meet daily workload requirements. Incumbents may be exposed to chemicals and require the use of personal protection equipment and universal precautions.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers/keyboards/mice, printers, phones, mobile devices, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, etc. The noise level in the office work environment varies from moderate to loud.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; grasp and/or reach with hands and arms; repetitive movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close visual acuity and the ability to adjust focus to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; reading reports, various forms of charts or records, transcribing; viewing computer monitor(s); extensive reading; and legally operate a motor vehicle.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties and/or work various shifts as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.