It is important that you read the instructions and definitions carefully. This is not a timed process. Using the rating scales provided, you will be asked to rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks. You will be asked how often/frequently you have performed the task, and then, your level of skill in performing the task. Respond to the statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option for both of the two scales provided in order to receive credit for your response. You may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.
1. Collect, prepare, and label laboratory specimens (e.g., urine, stool, cultures, DNA, blood, gastric contents) correctly and accurately from patients in order to prepare them for testing and transport.
2. Perform lab draws from patients by using the correct equipment (e.g., phlebotomy needles, syringes, butterfly needles, tubes) and methods (e.g., hard stick lab draws) in order to process the specimen in a laboratory.
3. Locate veins on a patient’s hands, feet, or legs in order to accomplish hard stick draws and process the blood in a laboratory.
4. Document laboratory specimens (e.g., urine, stool, cultures, DNA, blood, gastric contents) correctly in order to ensure they are accurately tracked in a log report and a computerized system.
5. Maintain a specimen requirement list (e.g., fairly common tests, Reference Lab test codes, tube types, handling instructions) to assist lab assistants with choosing the correct specimen collection tubes.
6. Ensure the collected sample matches the ordered sample (e.g., accurate labeling, enough material to test – identify short samples) in order to verify the sample is accurate.
7. Oversee the process of lab draws in order to ensure that any problems with the process is resolved in an expedient manner.
8. Prepare laboratory storage containers (e.g., phlebotomy hand carry tote, roll cart with supplies, cooler, lock box) for other medical personnel (e.g., nursing) to use.
9. Deliver laboratory materials and supplies to the appropriate people (e.g., laboratory personnel, clinic personnel, nurses, physicians) in order to ensure they are processed.
10. Stock a sufficient amount of laboratory materials and supplies (e.g., specimen collection supplies, blood culture tubes) in order to ensure that they are available for medical personnel to use when performing laboratory procedures.
11. Maintain laboratory logs (e.g., specimen logs, infectious disease logs, inventory logs, equipment records, temperature logs, courier logs, daily cleaning log, monthly statistic logs - lab orders, drawn, reeducated, refused, or transferred) by using a computer tracking system or logbooks.
12. Use the correct forms (e.g., inventory sheets, requisition forms, requisition logs) when tracking laboratory materials and supplies in order to provide proper documentation and keep accurate records.
13. Process paperwork (e.g., completed lab ducat lists, progress notes, refusal paperwork, daily accession log, lab requisitions) for lab tests in order to keep accurate documentation.
14. Review final reports from the reference lab in order to reschedule lab draws for rejected or non-performed tests.
15. Check for errors (e.g., incorrect birth dates, spelling of names, ID numbers) on documents in order to ensure accuracy of the information.
16. Maintain a filing system for all laboratory reports, logs, and requisitions in order to archive them in accordance with various document retention procedures.
17. Retrieve laboratory reports in order to provide them to the requesting primary care provider.
18. Communicate with the public, other personnel, and other hospitals verbally, either by phone or in-person, in order to confirm scheduling changes, answer inquiries, or direct inquiries to the appropriate person.
19. Communicate to others in writing (e.g., fax, email, reports, and taking and delivering written messages from phone calls) in order to answer inquiries or direct inquiries to the appropriate person.
20. Communicate with medical personnel, verbally or in writing, in order to confirm and identify uncommon lab tests ordered by a primary care provider.
21. Communicate with the reference lab in order to determine specimen requirements (e.g., rarely ordered lab tests that may need clarification of collection containers and handling instructions, unfamiliar terms given by the primary care provider) for collecting samples and to request special collection containers if required.
22. Communicate special instructions to lab assistants, verbally or in writing, in order for them to complete assignments.
23. Clean or sanitize laboratory equipment (e.g., countertops, centrifuge, sinks, refrigerator, specimen storage/transport containers) by using the appropriate materials in order to maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.
24. Follow the guidelines on Material Safety Data Sheets and Occupational Safety and Health Administration Universal Precautions in order to ensure a safe and sanitary work environment.
25. Collect and sort contaminated laboratory materials (e.g., sharps containers, bodily fluids, biohazard bags) in the correct repositories in order to maintain a safe and sanitary work environment.
26. Report any unsafe or unsanitary equipment to the correct personnel in order to ensure they are fixed or cleaned properly.
27. Set up and operate or assist with the operation of laboratory equipment (centrifuges, refrigerators, freezer, incubator – for Quantiferon tests, office machine, eyewash, shower) as directed by established procedures in order to process patient samples safely and correctly.
28. Perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuges, refrigerators, freezer, incubator – for Quantiferon tests, office machine, eyewash, shower) to keep equipment in proper working order.
29. Comply with departmental policies and procedures (e.g., court orders – forced draw, paternity tests, Phlebotomy generic precautions) and any applicable State and federal laws and regulations in order to ensure laboratory duties are performed legally and correctly.
30. Participate in the development of laboratory operating procedures and discuss the implications of any policy and procedure changes with management in order to standardize and/or improve laboratory efficiency and accuracy.
31. Review lab draw lists in order to identify uncommon lab tests ordered by a primary care physician.
32. Perform common and uncommon lab tests as requested in order to provide the results to the primary care provider.
33. Prepare for audits and analyses on laboratory services in order to ensure compliance with departmental, local, State, and federal requirements.
34. Assist on committees in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for laboratory services.
35. Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive health care information in order to comply with HIPAA requirements.
36. Store testing materials (e.g., 24-hour urine containers with additives, incubator for Quantiferon blood tests) in the proper storage facilities in order to ensure their longevity and stability.
37. Forward laboratory test results and reports (normal, abnormal) to the appropriate medical personnel following established policies and procedures and verified that the physician-on-call has received and reviewed the results.
38. Use the normal and abnormal range values in order to report test results (e.g., panic and critical values) to the appropriate medical personnel (e.g., primary care provider, Triage and Treatment Area) and patients.
39. Attend training as required in order to stay informed of current developments in the clinical laboratory field.
40. Act as a lead over other laboratory assistants in order to provide direction in completing work assignments (e.g., train new employees, monitor/evaluate work performance, ensure work is being completed correctly).
41. Provide back-up coverage for lab assistants as needed to maintain appointment schedules.
42. Schedule special laboratory appointments (e.g., pre-op orders, court order draws, hard stick lab draws, lab line, urgent blood draws) for patients using an electronic scheduling system.
43. Obtain patient lists for patient laboratory appointments in order to ensure the correct specimen(s) are collected and correct tests are ordered.
44. Store collected specimens (e.g., urine, stool, cultures, DNA, blood, gastric contents) correctly according to temperature (e.g., room, refrigerated, frozen).
