Hospital Lab Technician 1

Job Function Summary:

The Clinical Laboratory at Zuckerberg San Francisco General provides laboratory testing services for inpatients and outpatients of ZSFG, Laguna Honda Hospital, District Health Centers, and other facilities under the auspices of the SF Public Health Department. The primary responsibility of this position is pre-analytical laboratory testing procedures. Additional responsibilities include: 1) answering telephone inquiries for laboratory results, including critical results and laboratory-related questions, and instructing patients and healthcare providers for specimen collecting; 2) outpatient laboratory registration; 3) Phlebotomy. 

The laboratory services described below are expected to be performed efficiently and accurately, and to strictly adhere to all University, ZSFG, and departmental policies. Errors in these laboratory services can be dangerous to patients and could be highly disruptive to the patient, the individuals caring for the patient, and the laboratory staff. This position performs all duties in a manner that denotes the team concept and reflects the UCSF and ZSFG mission, vision, and values. The Hospital Lab Technician 1 is required to follow all health and safety precautions and procedures as mandated by regulatory agencies and comply with all UC, ZSFG, and Clinical Laboratory policies. For questions, please email jhyme.laude@ucsf.edu.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities 

  % 

of time

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40

   Yes

A. Pre-Analytical and Analytical

DATA ENTRY, PROCESSING, and RECEIPT STAT/ROUTINE SPECIMENS

Perform pre-analytical laboratory testing procedures for patient specimens requiring various Chemistry, Hematology, or Serology testing.  Specimens consist of blood, urine, stool, and other body fluids. Enters patient data and test requests into the laboratory information system.  This requires knowledge of all the appropriate computer functions and options, as well as good typing skills.  Clarifies test requests by contacting the physician/unit/clinic. Handles all specimens in accordance with infection control guidelines and uses appropriate personal protective equipment. 

STANDARDS

1. Prioritization of blood, urine, stool, and body fluid specimens as they are delivered to the laboratory through a pneumatic tube system or messengers, based on ordered priority or stability requirements, as STAT or routine.
2. Timestamps requisitions and reviews tests requested. Follows the laboratory’s specimen and requisition acceptance and rejection policy to ensure each specimen is labeled properly and each requisition is complete.
3. Knowledgeable about tube and volume requirements for most ordered tests. 
4. Knowledgeable about which tests require special handling regarding temperature, time, and centrifugation. 
5. Use the Clinical Lab Processing Guide as a resource for additional information.
6. Resolve problems/discrepancies or notify a supervisor to assist.
7. Completes data entry and processes all STAT and routine specimens within the laboratory’s stated turnaround time standard.
8. Responsible for minimizing data entry errors by verifying all typed data.
9. Centrifuges, aliquots, and labels all specimens accurately according to test requirements.
10. Deliver specimens to the appropriate testing area. 
11. Follows procedures for preparation and sending specimens out to reference labs.

12. Performs the computer registration process.

13. Ensures requisition data is complete and contacts the clinic or physician for missing/unclear information.

14. Communicate with a supervisor and engineering when there are issues with the pneumatic tube system.

15. Maintain a continuous flow of specimens for aliquoting by organizing your workload efficiently.

16. Package specimen for sending out to the Referral Laboratory when assigned to that rotation or when a send-out person is not available.

17. Monitors and completes add-on requests.

     

CUSTOMER SERVICE/ INQUIRY/ PHLEBOTOMY and SPECIMEN COLLECTION 

Accurately and clearly communicates and provides excellent customer service, whether in person or by phone. Phlebotomy requires the use of evacuated tubes and needles (straight or butterfly) for obtaining blood specimens by venipuncture.

STANDARDS

1. Uses a multi-line telephone system to answer and transfer incoming calls into the laboratory. Connects callers to appropriate areas of the laboratory. Uses the overhead paging system or takes messages as needed.
2. Answers questions and communicates information obtained from the Clinical Lab Processing Guide (e.g., specimen collection requirements and instructions, turnaround times. Reads patient test results found in the laboratory computer system (Epic-Beaker) to hospital healthcare providers.
3. Telephones healthcare providers to report specimen problems and critical patient results.
4. Files patient requisitions for scanning.
5. Provides specimen containers and gives instructions for the collection of random urine, clean catch urine, 24-hour urine collections (with or without preservatives), and stool specimens for bacteriology and parasitology.
6. Consult with the supervisor for inquiries concerning esoteric testing.

7. Properly identifies patient by checking patient ID card/wrist band to ensure proper match of patient with test requisition/lab labels. Verify the patient's name and birth date to confirm identification.

8. Knowledgeable of tube and volume requirements and proper specimen labeling.  Refers to the Clinical Lab Processing Guide as a resource whenever additional information is needed.

9. Uses established blood draw techniques, including venipuncture site identification and preparation. Skillfully uses appropriate equipment and employs post-venipuncture care. 

10. Administers a glucose drink for glucose tolerance or post-loading tests. Determines collection time(s) and properly collects/stores timed and labeled sequential blood draws for glucose tolerance.

11. Provides specimen containers and gives instructions for the collection of random urine, clean catch urine, 24-hour urine collections, urine AFB, and stool specimens for bacteriology and parasitology.

12. All specimens for the Blood Bank must be dated and legibly signed by the person who obtained the blood. Knowledgeable of tube and volume requirements and proper specimen labeling. Refers to the Clinical Lab Processing Guide as a resource whenever additional information is needed.

13. Collects appropriate specimens for blood culture, including bacterial, AFB, or fungal analysis. Carefully selects sites and cleans the site as appropriate for blood culture collection.

14. Uses safety collection devices. Adheres to ZSFG Infection Control policy regarding proper health and safety requirements.

15. Receives and documents specimens for laboratory testing. Ensures proper specimen transport by proper racking and/or bagging specimens, proper clocking and routing of specimens in a timely manner to the appropriate Lab processing area.

16. Inventory of phlebotomy station.

AUTOMATION/ INSTRUMENT

STANDARDS

1. Operate the instrument and manage workflow efficiently, which includes, but is not limited to, prioritizing and sorting samples and assessing sample and/or container integrity. 
2. Troubleshoots and addresses issues with samples and workflow accordingly and promptly 
3. Performs emergency, routine, and scheduled preventive instrument maintenance in accordance with procedures. Recognizes and addresses instrument issues in a timely manner. 
4. Troubleshoot the instrument with minimal or no assistance from the service technical team/vendor hotline and/or lab supervisor.
5. Troubleshoot the instrument correctly and appropriately using good judgment and knowledge of the instrument. Utilize troubleshooting time efficiently while minimizing negative impacts on turnaround time and patient testing.
6. Document and communicate all instrument issues and corrective action/s promptly and accurately to team members, specialist/s, and supervisor/s.
7. Use appropriate documentation and/or logs specific to issue/communication/ QA activity.
8. Appropriately escalate issues to CLS and/or specialists and/or department supervisor/s

9. Inventories and replenishes on-board instrument reagents and/or supplies.

10. Review and add tests appropriately, promptly, manually, and/or using LIS tools and capabilities. 

     

B. Operations

STANDARDS

1. Successfully complete all training in areas assigned by supervisor/s.
2. Reads, comprehends, and keeps pace with new and/or modification/s in policies and procedures. Fully understands and follows established procedures and policies. Appropriately refers any question that is beyond the scope of the policies to a senior team member and/or specialist/s and/or supervisor/s 
3. Manages workflow in the area to meet established turnaround-time standards for all tests—Notifies appropriate laboratory and hospital personnel when turnaround times are expected to be impacted or delayed.
4. Appropriately and correctly responds to inquiries regarding sample requirements, laboratory testing, and sample status with minimal assistance.
5. Promptly and effectively follows through on issues.
6. Demonstrates awareness and recognition of the team’s need. Assist co-workers when help is needed to meet team and departmental goals. Assist colleagues and laboratory leadership when samples need to be prioritized and/or during events when laboratory operations and/or patient safety/care may be significantly compromised.
7. Assists Residents and other divisions in retrieving specimens needed for further testing.
8. Assists Division managers and supervisors from all lab divisions with questions related to specimens, tube type, stability, test availability, turnaround times, and send out tests.
9. Assists researchers with questions about the availability of tests and required specimens.
10. Assists in data entry and file creation. Demonstrates proficiency in different applications and software products routinely used in business settings, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Zoom, statistical software, etc.
11. Coordinates orderly storage of department documents
12. Lift/push/pull containers/ reagents/ parts/boxes/supplies, etc., to 60 lbs, as needed.   

Maintenance, Safety, and QA

1. Perform all Quality Assurance (QA) tasks as indicated by job assignments and/or as directed by supervisor and/or management
2. Document and communicate all QA issues and corrective action/s promptly and accurately to team members, specialist/s, and supervisor/s.
3. Maintains and submits laboratory, institution, and state requirements in a prompt and timely manner. 
4. Maintains a clean, safe, and neat work area. 
5. Actively participates and assists in quality assurance activities to ensure the laboratory meets all standards. 
6. Assists in follow-up and investigation of problem specimens and computer issues.
7. Actively participates and assists supervisors and specialists with investigating and resolving data for Performance Improvement and Patient Safety (PIPS) projects and other improvement projects.
8. Answers appropriately and competently to questions related to role, tasks, and required working knowledge.

Team goals and projects

1. Participates in the training of new employees. Teaches basic instrument operations, workflows, and standard operating procedures/policies. 
2. Actively participates in huddles, meetings, and projects as requested by supervisor/s and specialist/s.
3. Assist in instrument validation experiments, other testing assays, and quality assurance processes, as directed or assigned by specialist/s and supervisor/s.
4. Assists specialist/s and supervisor/s in projects as needed and/or requested.
5. May assist in ordering tests, calling critical results, and/or processing samples when needed.  If the HLT II is licensed to perform phlebotomy, the HLT II may be requested to perform or assist in phlebotomy as needed

 Core Lab Instrumentation and Maintenance

1. Perform basic operations of the APTIO automation line, which includes loading specimens on the track and retrieving tubes from the collection tray
2. Perform daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of the automation line.
3. Check the outstanding log.
4. Help in troubleshooting and escalating any automation line issues to the HLT2 or the CLS.

 C. Data Management

STANDARDS

1. Assist Clinical Lab Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Specialists, and Supervisors in data collection, handling, and processing. 

2. Processes data derived from normal computer operations.

3. Assists in the collection of statistical data as directed and/or as needed. 

4. Uses LIS, laboratory, and institutionally approved software applications appropriately and efficiently.

5. Complies with all regulatory and institutional policies on data access, security, and privacy requirements.

D. Information Systems Downtime

Continues to efficiently perform duties and responsibilities as assigned when the Lab or Hospital information system is not functioning

STANDARDS

1. Follows the Lab Information Downtime Procedures.
2. Forwards specimens to the proper testing sections with appropriate bar code labels.

E. OTHER DUTIES 

1. Maintains a clean and organized work area.
2. Assists in maintaining supplies, calculating miscellaneous statistics, and performing clerical duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Blood drawing experience (CPT license required)
• Knowledge of medical/clinical laboratory terminology
• Ability to communicate clearly in the English language both verbally and in writing
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate a willingness to be a team player
• Demonstrate strong personal computer and typing skills
• Graduation from college with a major in an applicable natural science with coursework in biology or chemistry; or two years of college courses in the natural sciences with coursework in biology or chemistry plus two years of applicable experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Licenses and/or Certifications:

• California Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT 1)
• B.S degree in biology or chemistry
• One year of appropriate clinical laboratory experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.S degree in biology or chemistry
• One year of appropriate clinical laboratory experience