Covenant Health

Medical Laboratory Assistant, General Laboratory

Full Time, 72 Hours per pay period, Night Shifts

Parkwest Overview:

Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer.

Parkwest is Covenant Health’s and West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top-performing heart hospital, offering our patients world-class treatment with all the convenience and warmth of home.

In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21, Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Knoxville located in East Tennessee is the third largest in the state, well-known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is the home of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!  Living in Knoxville means experiencing all four seasons.  Best of all, each of them is pretty mild!

Combine all that with the abundant natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and you have a city that truly offers something for everyone. Knoxville has a vibrant arts culture, seasonal festivals, top-notch foodie and incredible outdoor recreation. It’s a perfect blend of big-city amenities and Southern charm.

General Laboratory:

Parkwest Medical Center Laboratory mission is to provide accurate test results for all customers in a minimum amount of time while maintaining safe practices.  We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week with a procedure volume of greater than 800,000 tests annually.Parkwest laboratory services include: immunohematology, routine and special chemistry, therapeutic drug testing, drugs-of abuse testing, serology, coagulation, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, parasitology, mycobacterium and molecular testing. Pathology services are provided by contract.Laboratory staffing is comprised of the following:  Laboratory Assistants, Technical Specialists, Medical Technologist/Technicians, Point of Care Coordinator, Supervisor of Support Services, and Pathologist. The laboratory is located on the 1^st floor of the Montvue Building and connected to all nursing units and ancillary departments via pneumatic tube system.Our outpatient phlebotomy station is located in the main lobby of the Riverstone tower in the Outpatient Center.

Position Summary:

The Medical Laboratory Assistant performs the pre-analytical and preparatory portion of the testing process for routine and specialized clinical Lab tests for use in diagnosis and treatment of patients by physicians.  The individual will perform only those processes that s/he has been trained and found competent in performing.  Must also be able to perform the duties of a Sr. Laboratory Assistant.

Recruiter:  Kathleen Rice || apply@covhlth.com

• Performs preparatory functions necessary to complete routine and high complexity tests that the individual has been trained in.  Functions include:
  • centrifuging; pouring off blood, body fluid, and urine specimens; preparing specimens for testing; and archiving specimens
  • checking applicable specimens for clots if needed prior to proceeding for testing
  • performing pipetting techniques for appropriate specimen preparations
  • preparing peripheral blood smears for staining for microscopic examination
  • staining peripheral blood smears by automated method
  • loading primary bar-coded clinical specimens on any trained analyzer
  • preparing microbiology specimens for cultures and gram stains, including inoculation of microbiology culture plates from primary clinical specimens, slide preparation and staining by automated method
  • preparing specimens for KOH examinations
  • preparing specimens for GMS stains for pathology and track according to protocol
  • preparing and loading blood culture specimens into appropriate incubators
  • preparing specimens for PCR testing
  • preparing viral culture specimens for testing by appropriate reference laboratory, and completing required regulatory documentation
  • preparing 24-hour urine containers with preservatives
  • receiving and tagging new reagent inventory, and sorting by lot number to separate current versus new reagent lot numbers
  • performing required quality checks of eye wash and emergency shower stations
• Follows the Laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, and preparatory steps.
• Documents all corrective actions taken when the test process deviates from the Laboratory’s established performance specifications. Does not submit patient specimens for testing until all corrective action has been taken.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect a test result and either corrects or notifies a licensed Laboratory employee to assist.
• Utilizes the LIS in patient accessioning, and monitors incomplete and collection lists. Follows up by locating specimens and taking appropriate next steps, including loading specimens, aliquoting, or notifying a MLT/MT of issues.
• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots applicable Laboratory equipment, e.g. centrifuges, stainers, etc, as trained to use.
• Checks communication boards at least weekly.
• Plans work to insure maximum productivity with minimum amount of ‘carry over’ work, while keeping overtime to a minimum. Responsible for communicating to the next shift and other appropriate staff needed information about patient samples or equipment performance.
• Acts as resource person for phlebotomy if trained appropriately, including outpatients.
• Maintains and disinfects work area.
• Assists with coverage of the pneumatic tube system, processing and distributing specimens.
• Handles biohazard wastes according to policy.
• Performs any job-related duties assigned by competent authority. Helps other departments as qualifications and needs permit.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new and existing employees.
• Responsible for care, maintenance, trouble-shooting and notification of Manager when equipment is in need of repair or replacement (i.e. stainers, centrifuges, printers, fax/copy machines, etc.).
• Performs pipette and glassware cleanings, timer verifications, centrifuge rpms, and thermometer verifications, and pipette verifications.
• Responsible for checking and follow-up of incomplete reference Lab reports.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Local travel may be required.

Minimum Education:          

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.  Preference may be given to individuals possessing a HS diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience:         

Basic computer skills, medical terminology, registration and phlebotomy skills or equivalent combination of clinical/clerical skills. Must successfully complete an in-laboratory training program and competency assessment facilitated by a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Laboratory Technician.

Licensure Requirement:      

Employee must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D and state mandated minimum insurance coverage. Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.