Covenant Health

Medical Office Lab Assistant, Medical Oncology

PRN/OCC, Variable hours, Day Shift

PRN position supporting staffing needs such as covering CTO shifts and callouts across all locations.

Thompson Oncology Group Overview:

Thompson Oncology Group, part of Thompson Cancer Survival Center and Covenant Health, is a leader in medical oncology across East Tennessee. Our board-certified specialists and advanced practice providers deliver personalized care using proven treatments and the latest clinical trial therapies. With convenient locations and affiliated infusion centers, Thompson Oncology Group offers comprehensive services, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy, close to home, with a commitment to excellence and compassionate care.

Position Summary:

The Medical Office Laboratory Assistant is responsible for performing venipunctures and processing clinical laboratory specimens for use in diagnosis and treatment of patients by physicians and advanced practitioners. The individual will also be responsible for performing test analyses, reporting results, and maintaining patient records for waived and moderately complex clinical laboratory testing that has been validated for performance at their specific physician office laboratory (POL). The individual will refer POL testing to a reference laboratory when the policies deem appropriate. The individual will perform only those processes that are authorized by the laboratory director requiring a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training or experience, and technical abilities.

• Registers patient accounts (if indicated) ensuring proper patient identification and billing accuracy.
• Tracks and submits pertinent testing records to appropriate financial departments. Assists with patient account and billing troubleshooting as requested.
• Directs, escorts, and/or provides wheelchair assistance to the patient upon entering and exiting the laboratory ensuring the patient is aware of the next step of their visit.
• Collects venous blood samples following collection procedures.
• Uses two unique patient identifiers at specimen collection. Accurately labels all specimens.
• Properly uses the referring hospital’s Blood Bank identification system when labeling Blood Bank specimens. Places Blood Bank armband on patient at collection.
• Uses aseptic technique when collecting blood culture specimens.
• Provides patients with supplies and collection instructions per procedure and/or package insert for specimens that are collected directly by patients including but not limited to 24-hour urines, fecal hemoccult cards.
• Properly processes and handles all specimens according to procedures including: recognition of test priorities; centrifugation; separation/distribution of shared specimens; tracking of specimens for transport to off-site reference labs; proper labeling of aliquots; special collection requirements; special storage/shipment instructions (i.e., ice, dry ice, ambient temps, refrigerate, etc.).
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots applicable laboratory equipment (i.e., thermometers centrifuges, printers, fax/copy machines, etc.). Notifies the laboratory manager when equipment is in need of repair or replacement.
• Records all maintenance and corrective action documentation on appropriate logs per policies.
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test system instrumentation deviates from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Follows the laboratory's established corrective action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance.
• Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies. Documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed.
• Completes and retains all pertinent maintenance logs and other records in a timely and orderly fashion for monthly review by Laboratory Manager and periodic view by regulatory agencies.
• Reconstitutes and/or properly mixes calibrators, quality controls materials, reagents, consumables, and linearity kits per manufacturer instructions with precise equipment when required (i.e., pipettes, graduated cylinders, etc.).
• Follows proper storage requirements of reconstituted materials.
• Performs parallel testing of new lots and/or shipments of materials if indicated by laboratory policy.
• Submits quality control data to corresponding agency if and when required per policy.
• Performs high quality laboratory testing with speed and accuracy. Documents patient results.
• Evaluates specimen quality (i.e., hemolysis, clots, icteria, lipemia, etc.) before testing as policy indicates.
• Demonstrates knowledge to evaluate patient results to make decisions on validity of test results and makes decisions if reference laboratory validation testing is needed per laboratory policies and procedures.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either must correct the problems or immediately notify the Laboratory Manager.
• Regularly participates in an outside proficiency testing program. Maintains performance records of proficiency testing showing challenge samples are tested in the same manner as patient samples.
• Assists Laboratory Manager in instrument validations, linearity studies, and miscellaneous investigatory work as assigned.
• Is a resource to our Genetic Testing and Clinical Trials departments when needed.
• Communicates with reference labs regarding incomplete test orders, required specimen types, and other quality metrics.
• Maintains and disinfects work area.
• Uses standard precautions. Handles biohazard waste, demonstrates proper use of PPE, and needle sharps safety according to policy.
• Utilizes EMR to manage patient schedules, test orders, and results. Monitors incomplete testing and collection lists.
• Plans work to ensure maximum productivity with minimum amount of ‘carry over’ work, while keeping overtime to a minimum. Responsible for communicating to other appropriate staff needed information about patient samples or equipment performance.
• Demonstrates the ability to handle varying tasks and setting priorities.
• Exercises use of cost-conscious methods as set forth by the Laboratory Manager such as punctuality, use of time and supplies.
• Displays competence in use of HIS, LIS, registration, scheduling, and reference lab computer systems (i.e., Mayo, STAR, Cerner, LabDaq, etc.).
• Activates manual systems for computer network downtime, printing schedules in advance when necessary. Notifies leadership of unscheduled downtime occurrences. Knowledgeable of manual systems for ordering, collection, verification, and charting in instances of computer failure.
• Monitors proper expirations, rotation, and supply of inventory ordering as needed.
• Assumes responsibility for the area in the absence of the Laboratory Manager.
• Participates as directed in department meetings and is accountable for communicated information.
• Professionally communicates with patients, physicians, visitors, and other hospital staff members.
• Maintains strict confidentially of patient information.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new and existing employees.
• Local travel required.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:           

High School diploma or equivalent required.

Minimum Experience:         

Basic computer skills, medical terminology, registration, and phlebotomy skills or equivalent combination of clinical/clerical skills.

Licensure Requirement:      

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