Lab Prep Tech

Overview

Location: UF Health Jacksonville Hospital

655 8th St W, Jacksonville, FL 32209

Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8:00am-4:30pm

Employment Type: Full-Time

Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.

The individual will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients by preparing for processing or processing various specimens for analysis while maintaining positive patient identification throughout the preparation process. Responsibilities include retrieval and verification of patient specimens; tracking of specimens without a requisition; accessioning wet tissue specimens, outside/consultation material, and cytology specimens; compiling work logs and printing slides; slide cover slipping; pathology case distribution; block and slide filing and retrieval; processor and other equipment maintenance; chemical hazardous waste removal; distillation of laboratory chemicals; record retention; cleaning and upkeep of work areas; disposal of stored patient tissues; ordering stain requests; answering phones; and knowledge of pathology Laboratory Information Systems. Performs duties and communicates in an accurate, professional and ethical manner. Must demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness as well as an ability to utilize proper techniques to deal effectively with people in stressful situations. May be responsible for handling chemicals and/or reagents including chemical hazardous waste materials.

Responsibilities

• Accessions laboratory specimens into the LIS which may include applying the proper specimen protocol, adding additional tasks (blocks/stains) as needed, completing the gross description and all other relevant information in addition to verifying proper billing codes are applied. Blocks and or slides are created during this process and placed with the specimen. Notifies the pathologist for rush and frozen cases. Registration may also need to performed as needed. (20%)
• Files/retrieves paperwork, ship blocks, file blocks, specimen slides, and upkeep for block and slide retention. Maintain QC logs for all areas. (5%)
• Answers telephone professionally and courteously and forward calls to the appropriate person as needed. (5%)
• Ensures that all department turn-around times are met (when fully staffed). Prioritizes and organizes work in order to maintain an overall smooth workflow for the section so as to meet standards of productivity. Work is organized and adjusted to meet increased activity. (5%)
• Responsive to departmental needs by helping with other tasks when needed or requested such as completing the morgue census and QC in absent of the Diener and other support coverage. (5%)
• •Processess samples from all body sites. Determines that the samples are adequate to prepare and then uses established specimen protocols and instrumentation to create appropriate slide preparations from each specimen.
• •Prepares, stains, labels, and coverslips slide(s). 
• •Maintains projectile log and prepare materials for JSO monthly pickup. Maintain and prepare Gross IDs for unique holds and medical examiner office pickup.
• •Prepares consultation for pathologist review, registers patient and submitter, labels all materials received, and prepares materials for the pathologists.
• •Registers and orders additional testing on specimens for Sendout. (20%)
• Verifies proper patient identification, diagnosis code(s) and other required information (exact specimen source, collection date, time, etc.) on the provider's order and specimen(s) submitted. Identifies inconsistencies or problems and brings unresolved issues to the supervisor. Must independently troubleshoot and resolve specimen and order issues by contacting various departments/offices within and outside the hospital. Creates an IDinc when there are specimen(s) and order issues. Creates an epic chat, monitor chat, and address follow-up if needed with providers and nurses. (10%)
• Perform courier functions to pick up specimens and deliver them to appropriate laboratory areas. Ensure the specimens have pertinent information from patients and clients necessary for billing and data entry. Add formalin to unpreserved tissue containers when needed. (5%)
• Continuously monitors Case Receiving and Outstanding List for missing specimens. Conducts follow-up with ordering departments/offices to locate specimen(s) to mitigate missing specimens and maintain TAT. (5%)
• Operates and maintains instrumentation, processors and stainers. Prepares and replenishes solutions in tissue processors and/or automated stainers as required within established protocols. Performs documentation on established QC forms on a daily basis. Reports any equipment failures or error codes to the supervisor. Troubleshoots and resolves instrumentation issues and contacts IT when there are labelling scanning issues. (5%)
• Monitors inventory, requests supplies before depletion, stocks and maintains laboratory supplies. Properly marks received items according to reagant labeling policies and places received items in proper locations (flammables, refrigeration and etc.) when received. (5%)
• Disposes of specimens and hazardous chemical waste according to departmental procedures and timelines. Insures appropriate labeling of all waste containers in the satellite accumulation areas and the central accumulation area. Transfers hazardous waste to the central accumulation area. Responds appropriately to a spill, fire, or other hazardous waste emergency. (5%)
• Maintains, cleans, and disinfects related work areas as established, documenting on correlating QC forms on a daily basis. Notifies facilities and EVS for needs such as morgue clean-up, biohazardous waste pickup or other related needed. Reviews and follows hospital, laboratory, and safety policies and procedures. (5%) 
• Attends staff meetings
• Participates in mandatory training and may be asked to train new employees.
• Adheres to dress code, core values, policies and procedures, time and attendance guidelines and confidentiality.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor within job scope. 

Qualifications

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED. Specific course work: Vocational Training

Preferred Education: Specific course work in phlebotomy, medical terminology and data entry.

Required Experience: 1-2 years Data entry or Lab experience.

Preferred Experience: Specimen processing and test preparation in microbiology, histology or cytology.

Required Licensure/Certifications: N/A

Preferred Licensure/Certifications: N/A

Necessary Skills:

1. Data Entry

2. Good communication skills with internal and external laboratory customers and associates through verbal and electronic communication.

3. Knowledge of laboratory departments, specimen types, equipment and processing.

4. Ability to prioritize tasks and organize work flow. Requires good decision-making skills.

5. Must be detailed oriented.

6. Must be able to resolve stressful situations in a professional manner.