Job Description

Hutchinson Health Is hiring for a Laboratory Assitant I

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Responsible for the collection of blood and other specimens from patients for the purpose of testing and analysis according to regulatory guidance. Performs basic laboratory functions that support the laboratory mission with an emphasis on providing courteous assistance to patients, clinicians, and internal teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

Not applicable

Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

Not applicable

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Demonstrates strong customer service capabilities, works effectively with minimal supervision, and applies sound problem‑solving skills.

Demonstrates an understanding of age‑related growth and development principles required to deliver appropriate services and ensure patient safety.

Exhibits exceptional organizational abilities and effectively responds to time-sensitive customer requests and last-minute changes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

A minimum of one year of healthcare experience is preferred.

Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

Certification for phlebotomy preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience with electronic medical record systems, laboratory information systems, and general computer application knowledge (Microsoft Office).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

(70%) – Effectively execute specimen collection tasks and processing with attention to detail, including:

May perform phlebotomy procedures for patients of all age groups

Accurately interprets lab orders and utilize EMR functionality

May perform non-blood specimen collection

May process specimens

May perform chain of custody drug collections

May perform ECG.

Ensure precise patient identification

May educate patients on self-collection procedures and supplies

Deliver high-quality customer service

(20%) – Perform laboratory responsibilities:

Perform accurate computer data entry.

Document and communicate laboratory test results in accordance with established policies and procedures.

May conduct waived testing.

May communicate critical values to appropriate care teams.

May escalate clinical questions to appropriate licensed personnel.

May coordinate reference testing send outs.

May maintain inventory for storage and expiration.

Additional responsibilities as directed.

(10%) - Take ownership of mentorship and training

May provide leadership support through mentorship of employees.

May support students

May assist leadership in non-technical competency assessment

*Job description rankings/percentages are intended to reflect normal averages over an extended period of time and are subject to daily variances. Quality and efficiency standards should at no time be compromised to meet the average expectations expressed above. Job descriptions are subject to change to accommodate organization or department needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Values

All colleagues are expected to live our values: 

Excellence: We strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.

Compassion: We care and show empathy and respect for each person.

Partnership: We are strongest when we work together and with those we serve.

Integrity: We are open and honest, and we keep our commitments.

Additional Expectations:

Complies with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, provides input on safety issues, and promotes a safe work environment.

Maintains regular and timely attendance.

Protects confidentiality.

Demonstrates participation in and support of the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by participating in compliance-related education and training and complying with the organization's policies and procedures.

Timely completion of all mandatory education and organizational requirements (i.e., licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training, etc.)

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Yes

Does this employee have direct patient contact?

Departments will need to determine the appropriate competencies in their areas for their specific patient populations documented in the essential duties section.

Examples of items that can be included are:

Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or situation specific to the needs of the population served.

Communicates effectively with patients, families, and team members.

Integrates practices that supports patient safety, acknowledges variations in populations served.

Anticipates the needs of the population served as well as the unique characteristics of the communities served.

Anticipates the needs of the population in providing culturally responsive care and develops an individualized plan for patients and families.

Provide collections according to the needs of the patient population including ages, cultures, languages, literacy, learning needs and abilities.

Critical Job Demands

Section 1: Place an “X’ next to ONE of the terms that best describes the frequency for each of the Critical Demands.

Critical Demands

N/A

Rare

1-5% (Up to a 1/2 hour)

Occa

6-33% (1/2 hour to 3 hours)

Freq

34-66% (3 to 5½ hours)

Cont

67-100% (5½ to 8 hours)

Standing - Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about.

Walking - Moving about on foot.

Sitting - Remaining in a seated position.

Squatting - Assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent.

Reaching - Stretching out or extending to touch or grasp.

Lifting - Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).

Carrying - Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.

Pushing/Pulling – Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away/towards from the force.

Handling/Fingering – (includes typing, computer work, gripping, grasping, and pinching)

Section 2: Place an “X” next to ONE of the terms that best describes the Strength Rating for this job classification which is expressed by one of five terms: Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy.

Sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Heavy Work - Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

Note: During any patient handling task, if any caregiver is required to lift more than 35 lbs. of a patient’s weight, assistive transfer devices should be used for the transfer.

HAZARD ASSESSMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Please contact the employer Employee Health & Safety (EHS) with any questions or assistance related to the completion of the Hazard Assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (HAPPE) Form.

RELATED TO: Hazardous Substances and Harmful Physical Agents

Yes

Task Description

Potential Hazard

Hazard control

PPE Required

Working with box cutters, knives or other sharp cutting devices.

Penetration

Cut away from body.

Use proper tool for the job.

Safety knife or safety box cutter

Cut resistant gloves

Other ___________________

Working with liquid chemicals, acids, or caustics (Examples: reprocessing, cleaners, disinfectants, laboratory chemicals).

See MSDS online database for chemical list

Chemicals

Flammables

Toxic Gases

Corrosives

Use only employer approved products.

Use appropriate soaking containers with labels.

Understand hazards of chemicals you use (read MSDS).

Goggles

Chemical face shield

Chemical resistant gloves

Chemical resistant aprons

Lab Coat

Closed toe shoes

Powered Air Purifying Respirator

Other ___________________

Exposed to extreme heat (Examples: Autoclaves, Blanket warmers, Ovens, Propane torches) or cold (Liquid Nitrogen, Winter temperatures).

Heat

Cold Stress, Burns, Frostbite

Approach hot surfaces carefully.

Use only approved liquid nitrogen dewars. Dispense only if trained.

Heat resistant gloves

Cryogenic (cold resistant) gloves

Goggles

Face shield

Other ___________________

Driving or riding in motorized vehicle equipment as part of the job.

Vehicle crash, Impact

Absolutely no text messaging while driving.

Refrain from cell phone use while driving.

Seat belt

Other ___________________

Working in extremely wet or slippery conditions or working in 24/7 operations where floors are wet from mopping.

Slip, Trip, or Fall

For wet areas, mop excess water regularly.

Place warning signs.

Select footwear carefully

Slip resistant shoes

Rubber boots

Other ___________________

Preparing or handling hazardous drugs (Examples: cytotoxic drugs, chemotherapy agents).

Chemical

Genetic damage

Tumors

Receive training

Use of biological cabinet

Spill procedures

Waste disposal SOP

Gloves appropriate for chemical

Disposable barrier gown

Goggles

N95/PAPR (spill cleanup)

Ventilation Hood

Other ___________________

Medical/surgical procedures involving heat generating tools or equipment (Examples: cautery/ lasers).

Light radiation, burns to self or patient, smoke inhalation

Receive laser training.

Awareness and knowledge to minimize surgical or procedural fires.

Code Red training

Restricted access

Specialized laser safety glasses

Other ___________________

Working with or near ionizing Radiation Hazards (Examples: Radioactive sources, X-Rays).

Over exposure, Genetic damage

Warning signage

Waste and spill procedures

Personal monitoring

Shielding, distance

Lead Aprons

Other ___________________

Working near MRI.

Trauma resulting from missile effect

Restrict access

Screening

Signage

Moving equipment/supplies.

Strain, Sprain

Proper body mechanics

Get additional help

Get Ergonomic help from EOHS.

Dealing with agitated persons or disturbances.

Workplace violence, bodily injury, body fluid exposure

Training in verbal de-escalation techniques.

Code Green procedure

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown or fluid resistant Lab Coat

HAZARD ASSESSMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

RELATED TO: Infectious Agents

Yes

Description

Potential Hazard

Hazard control

PPE Required

PERFORMING OR ASSISTING WITH THESE TASKS:

Potential for splash of blood/body fluid to face and clothing: examples but not all inclusive: suctioning, wound irrigation, eye & ear irrigation, close contact (within 3 ft.) of patient with frequent, productive cough, sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy, colonoscopy.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

Hand hygiene before and after task

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield)

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Activity that requires touching patient’s non-intact skin or mucous membranes.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

Hand hygiene before and after task

Gloves (Clean)

Activity that includes touching patient’s blood/body fluid or contaminated items or environment, examples, but not all inclusive: disposal of urine, blood canisters.

Exposure to Infectious Agents

Hand hygiene before and after task

Use of Spill kits (as needed)

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield) if anticipate splash

Performing duties with sharp devices that could result in exposure to blood or body fluids.

Exposure to Infectious Agent/sharp injury

Use of sharps safety devices

Avoid re-capping needles

Proper disposal of sharps at point of care

For reusable sharp, use safe transporting practices

Use neutral zone for passing sharps

Gloves (Clean vs. Sterile depends on the procedure)

Facial protection (mask plus goggles OR face shield) if anticipate splash

Entering rooms where patients with airborne diseases are treated.

Exposure to Infectious Agent/inhalation

Mask patient

Place patient in airborne infection isolation room if available

Limit entry into room

Keep door closed

Follow Communicable Disease Guidelines and Tuberculosis Control Plan to determine if N95 respirator, PAPR, or surgical mask is needed

Work with specimens from patients with airborne diseases.

Exposure to Infectious Agent/inhalation

Biological Safety hoods/cabinet instrumentation with automated/closed sampling mechanisms

N95 respirator or PAPR

1. Procedures that enter deep tissue or body fluid, including but not limited to:

Central IV insertion, placing a catheter or injecting material into the spinal canal or subdural space (myelogram, lumbar puncture, spinal/epidural anesthesia), breast biopsy, temporal artery biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, OB vaginal delivery, incision & drainage.

Exposure to infectious agents

Hand hygiene before and after procedures

Gloves (Sterile)

Barrier Gown

Facial protection (mask plus eye protection or face shield plus mask required during these procedures)

2. a. Procedures that enter

subcutaneous tissue or are located

in the skin structure, including but

not limited to:

Excision of mole, lump, or bump

Excision of lipoma or sebaceous cyst, vasectomy

Exposure to infectious agents

Hand hygiene before and after procedure

Facial protection (mask and eye protection required during these procedures if anticipate splash)

Gloves (Sterile)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

2. b. Additional Procedures

Shave biopsy, punch biopsy

Joint injection, nerve injection, joint aspiration

Peripheral IV insertion, ENT procedures

Anal-rectal Biopsy

Exposure to infectious agents

Hand hygiene before and after procedure

Gloves (Clean)

Barrier Gown if anticipate splash

Facial protection (mask and eye protection required during these procedures if anticipate splash)

3. Handling Lab specimens in a laboratory

Exposure to infectious agents

Hand hygiene after removing gloves

Biological Safety hoods/cabinet

Splash guard

Instrumentation with automated/closed sampling mechanisms

Lab Coat ( fluid resistant)

Gloves (Clean)

Facial protection (mask plus eye protection or face shield plus mask required during these procedures)

Other tasks with identified safety, health or infectious hazards requiring PPE?

Yes

Task Description

Hazard

Hazard control

List PPE required

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At HealthPartners we believe in the power of good – good deeds and good people working together. As part of our team, you’ll find an inclusive environment that encourages new ways of thinking, celebrates differences, and recognizes hard work.

We’re a nonprofit, integrated health care organization, providing health insurance in six states and high-quality care at more than 90 locations, including hospitals and clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We bring together research and education through HealthPartners Institute, training medical professionals across the region and conducting innovative research that improve lives around the world.

At HealthPartners, everyone is welcome, included and valued. We’re working together to increase diversity and inclusion in our workplace, advance health equity in care and coverage, and partner with the community as advocates for change.

Benefits Designed to Support Your Total Health
As a HealthPartners colleague, we’re committed to nurturing your diverse talents, valuing your dedication, and supporting your work-life balance. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to support every aspect of your life, including health, time off, retirement planning, and continuous learning opportunities. Our goal is to help you thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially, so you can continue delivering exceptional care.

Join us in our mission to improve the health and well-being of our patients, members, and communities.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identify, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Laboratory Assistant I

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