Clinical Laboratory Coordinator - Accessioning

Job Description

General Duties:

• Receive specimens from outside the UW Medicine system and use appropriate software to develop and maintain records related to the intake of these specimens. Maintain records and alerts of STAT, CANCELLATION, and HOLD requests for patient specimen processing and triage specimens appropriately.
• Retrieve specimens from designated locations that were collected in the hospital and UW Medicine clinics, track and log them appropriately, and resolve errors in documentation per defined error-correction process.
• Use pathology programs to accession specimens accurately and prepare specimens for next stages in clinical care process. Ensure that cases are accessioned accurately and with appropriate codes and documentation within each case. Register patients in EPIC as needed.
• Monitor calls for the Accessioning and Gross Room areas and e-mails to the Path-Accessioners moderated list. Respond to all inquiries in a professional and appropriate manner, maintaining the standards and protocols of the department. Provide coverage for the main Pathology phone line as needed.
• Process Clinical Admin Requests for additional materials in a timely and efficient manner. Maintain accurate logs of these requests.
• Monitor the Expected List for AP specimens and initiate appropriate triage and follow-up for specimens identified as missing or delayed. Investigate and resolve when possible or escalate as needed.
• Maintain accurate and consistent team communication, especially regarding work hand-offs and problem case resolution.
• Act as subject matter expert for staff and physicians in other labs, departments, and external facilities regarding AP specimen submission, tracking, and accessioning standards and workflows.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

High school graduation.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Conditions of Employment:

• Always follows established policies, procedures, and techniques.
• Integrates new or revised procedures into the workplace.     
• Must be able to meet with all shifts on a regular basis.
• May work weekends and holidays.
• May be asked to work additional hours in accordance with department needs.
• May be asked to work at different locations according to department needs.  
• Must be able to communicate information in English to internal and external teams, both verbally and in writing.
• Are considered essential staff and as such are required to report to work during inclement weather
• Use a computer keyboard and mouse.
• Communicate by telephone and email.
• Read print with size 9 font.
• Perform other duties as required. 

Physical Requirements:

• Sit at a desk or bench 30” to 37” high.
• May be required to stand for periods of at least 2 hours at a time.
• Sit approximately 70-80% of the time and stand or walk 20-30% of the time. Frequent walking between equipment and work bench or office is required.
• Reach objects in shelves, drawers, and equipment at a height range of 4” to 72” above the floor.
• Lift containers (weighing 40 pounds or less) of supplies, reports, and specimens.
• Tolerate the lack of outdoor light in the immediate vicinity.

Safety/Response to Emergencies:

• Maintain awareness of safety procedures; implement safety rules and regulations in compliance with institutional standards.
• Train staff in safety and maintain safety as a priority within the department.
• Recognize potential safety hazards and take corrective action to resolve hazards or notify appropriate personnel.
• Participate in interdepartmental efforts to facilitate a safe environment for all staff and patients.
• Ensure staff knows location of safety information and supplies and can access information in response to queries or emergency situations.
• Ensure staff keeps abreast of safety procedures including fire plans, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc.
• Participate in laboratory disaster preparedness drills. 

Employees Working in Laboratory and Research Environments:

• Work with and transport hazardous materials, such as solvents, acids and bases.
• Wear protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks and goggles, when appropriate.
• Have and exercise knowledge of laboratory safety and proper precautions when dealing with bio-hazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials.
• Operate equipment such as a centrifuge, computer keyboard & printer, fume hood, biosafety cabinet, pipetting device, and syringe with needle
• Determine subtle color and density gradations and changes during sample processing or testing.
• Tolerate and communicate despite the noise of centrifuges, telephones, intercoms, blenders, biosafety cabinet, instrument alarms, and instrument vibration.
• undefinedMedical Center Specific Competencies:Age Specific Competencies: Maintains knowledge of age and gender specific developmental stage differences and requirements to meet the needs of patients and their families.Work with biohazardous specimens, including tissues and fluids, which may be infected with infectious particles, viruses and microorganisms. May work near infectious patients. May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens through needle stick or biohazard spill.undefinedMedical Center-Wide Competencies: HIPAA Compliance – Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of patient privacy rights. Maintains complete confidentiality of all medical, financial, or other sensitive materials and information in printed, electronic or verbal form, which may jeopardize the privacy of patients. Accesses and uses the minimum necessary patient identifiable information and only when necessary to perform job responsibilities and duties.undefinedCompliance Program - Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of, and adherence to, the medical center’s Compliance Program policies, procedures and standards of conduct. Demonstrates conduct that reflects a commitment to these standards. Participates in training activities as required by the compliance program by the stated deadlines.undefinedCultural - Demonstrates an awareness of the patients’ and coworkers’ views, traditions, and actions in light of individual cultures. Asks patients and families about specific beliefs, practices, and customs that may be relevant and important during medical treatment and hospitalization. Understands and can incorporate into patient care how those preferences affect the way in which care should be delivered. Respectfulness is shown to coworkers. Communication - Ability to proficiently read, write, understand, and communicate in English commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the position to understand and respond to policies, procedures, overhead pages and alarms, in a manner that will ensure personal health and safety, and the safety of other staff, patients, and visitors, during the course of an emergency or an unusual incident, should one occur while present at the work site or in the facility. Service Orientation – Supports the organizational and service area’s mission and vision.  Demonstrates knowledge of and applies the UWMC Standards for Service Excellence:  Introduces themselves; Escorts as needed; Responds and follows through with complaints; Asks what name the person wishes to be called; Refers people to those who can give assistance; Apologizes and provides additional services for patients who have been inconvenienced or who need special assistance; Assists if someone looks lost; Privacy is maintained and care-related discussions are conducted in private settings; Anything else is always the manner in which conversations are ended. Relationships and Teamwork – Communicates effectively and respectfully with individuals and groups.  Contributes to positive working relationships and collaborative teamwork with all disciplines and departments.  Recognizes own stress and the impact on others.  Identifies and manages stressors utilizing the guidance of others.  Remains flexible with changes that are occurring in the department and/or medical center.  Concerns/issues regarding departmental/organizational operations are communicated to the employee’s supervisor/manager.undefinedEconomics of Care - Demonstrates knowledge of cost efficiencies in the delivery of care such as identifying and pursuing quality improvement opportunities and utilizing appropriate supplies and resources.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$23.41 hourly

Pay Range Maximum:

$33.47 hourly

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

SEIU Local 925 Nonsupervisory

ABOUT UW MEDICINE – WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER 

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals. 

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.