Medical Laboratory Assistant - Laboratory Specimen Procurement

Job Description
Accountabilities:
Receives and unpacks specimens delivered by pneumatic tube system, courier, hospital staff (and outpatients if required)
Uses positive patient identification to ensure that all requisitions, specimens, sample aliquots are traceable
Applies specimen acceptance and rejection criteria as per established laboratory policies
Enters add-on test requests in computer; retrieves specimens for further testing as required
Answers phone inquiries and provides customer service to resolve issues
Faxes reports according to protocol
Prepares and ships samples to referral laboratories (includes documentation, labelling and packaging) in shipping containers at suitable conditions to maintain specimen integrity
Proper storage and discarding of specimens in accordance with retention policies and biohazard waste protocols
Performs quality control testing as required
Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including properly functioning quality controlled automated analyzers as applicable
Reviews outstanding specimen reports (pending lists) and investigates outliers
Performs temperature monitoring of refrigerators, freezers and incubators
Participates in detecting, reporting, correcting and preventing unexpected occurrences, identifies opportunities for improvement
Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Osler policy
Performs general laboratory housekeeping, disinfects benches and equipment
Receipt of inventory and applies acceptance criteria; records and reports unacceptability
Monitors and maintains inventory
Participates in continuing education activities
Other duties as assigned according to training and scope of practice
May be required to cross-train into other lab areas based on operational need
May be required to attend hospital during off hours to attend to emergency situations
Appropriately disposes of hazardous wastes
Actively participates in the laboratory quality management system and process improvements