Specimen Processing

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories

Pursue your passion for caring and innovation as a team member in the state-of-the-art Duke Health laboratories. Duke Health laboratories are College of American Pathologists accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified. The multidisciplinary team is committed to serving the rare and complex testing needs of Duke Health patients by providing timely and accurate results, educating the next generation of laboratorians, scientists and physicians, and researching and developing the cutting-edge diagnostics of tomorrow.

Location: Duke University Hospital

Work Week: Monday - Friday 7:00 pm - 1:30 am 

General Description 
The primary responsibility of the Clinical Laboratory Technician is to ensure the proper collection of blood specimens for established procedures and protocols and to assist in their delivery to the appropriate performing laboratory. 

Job Duties

• Perform a variety of routin and specialized procedures.
• Prepare and initiate special tests and procedures including, but not limited to, cytogenetics, general laboratory, Point-of-Care Testing, urinalysis without a microscope, phlebotomy, and specimen management.
• Obtain total volume, perform aliquot, and distribute all urine specimens. 
• Properly determine urine volume. Properly label aliquot containers.
• Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family, and other medical personnel as necessary for problem recognition and initiation of the resolution and, if necessary, escalation to the next level. Obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, allay fears, and elicit cooperation.
• Utilize standard equipment to maintain positive patient identification through the maintenance of all clinical laboratory records, register/accession patients/specimens and perform order entry as required.
• Perform various quality control, safety, and infection control procedures to maintain compliance with internal and external regulations.
• Receive and process specimens as required by respective laboratory area procedures and protocols.
• Receive specimens in the laboratory using Beaker
• Positively ID all patient specimens, and verify all laboratory labels/requisitions, ensuring a valid order. Properly sort all specimens.
• Participate in the distribution of specimens, supplies, and reports to the appropriate laboratory staff; perform messenger/courier activities as required.
• Maintain inventory of supplies; stock supplies on carts and hand trays; wash glassware.
• Utilize various hospital information systems and software
• Assist with the maintenance of specimens and/or slides
• Perform routine maintenance as required by laboratory procedures.
• Assist with word processing, miscellaneous office tasks, and maintaining office records
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

• High School diploma or GED. For assignment to phlebotomy, completion of a structured phlebotomy training course and clinical rotation are recommended. 
• Minimal educational or experience requirements may be modified on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment) director if minimal CLIA requirements are met by the employee for the tasks being performed. 

Experience
Clinical Technician I
•    Alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience. One year of previous clinical lab experience is preferred.

Clinical Technician II 
•    Alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
•    Must have at least 2 years’ experience as a Clinical Tech I or Certification as a Phlebotomist plus achieve the required competency level for specified job responsibilities.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

Clinical Technician I 
•    For assignment to Phlebotomy Services, certification as a Phlebotomist by a nationally recognized agency/board is recommended.
•    Certification of Basic Life Support preferred.
•    National Healthcare Association (NHA) --Clinical Laboratory Phlebotomy Examination (CLPlb), American Society of Clinical Pathologists – Phlebotomy Technician Examination [PBT(ASCP)], International Academy of Phlebotomy Sciences (IAPS), National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), National Phlebotomy Certification Examination (NPCE), American Medical Technologists (AMT),  or another national certification as approved by Clinical Labs Leadership. 

Clinical Technician II 
•    For assignment to Phlebotomy Services, certification as a Phlebotomist by a nationally recognized board/agency may be required. 
•    Certification of Basic Life Support preferred. 
•    National Healthcare Association (NHA) --Clinical Laboratory Phlebotomy Examination (CLPlb), American Society of Clinical Pathologists-- Phlebotomy Technician Examination [PBT(ASCP)], International Academy of Phlebotomy Sciences (IAPS), National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), National Phlebotomy Certification Examination (NPCE), National Phlebotomy Solutions (NPS), or another national certification as approved by Clinical Labs leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
•    Basic phlebotomy and specimen processing techniques.
•    Knowledge of medical terms preferred.
•    Basic computer skills.
•    Effective communication skills.
•    Effective professional communication skills to interact with patients/ customers.