Work Shift: NIGHT

Work Week: This position works every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY: The Medical Laboratory Assistant II has responsibility for the processing, organizing, labeling and transporting of specimens for laboratory testing. As an experienced and fully competent laboratory assistant, performs advanced functions such as phlebotomy and/or section specific specialty tasks and serves as a role model and preceptor for other staff. Duties include the input and extraction of data from the Laboratory Information System as well as clerical tasks such as answering phones and filing documents.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS:

I. Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:

INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do
COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs
ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions
RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value
EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate

II. Focuses on patient/customer safety

III. Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

IV. Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

V. Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met

VI. Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

PEOPLE - 20%

1. Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

2. Serves as a preceptor to less experienced and/or new staff and students by utilizing skills and knowledge to help train and educate others.

SERVICE - 20%

1. Prepares specimens for courier pick up and delivery to referral lab as necessary. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.

2. Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Files requisitions, reports and other pathology materials appropriately. Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.

3. Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues and notifies management of issue and resolution. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.

4. Organizes workload, sets priorities, and troubleshoots workflow issues. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

QUALITY/SAFETY - 40%

1. Receives, triages, orders, labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing. Processes specimens, aliquots, and/or slides/blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories. Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Assists pathologist and/or other laboratory personnel with specimen grossing as needed.

2. Recognizes problems (such as mislabels, incorrect tube type, etc.), identifies causes, and takes corrective action to solve basic problems.

3. Operates automated instrumentation as applicable at entity following all safety measures. Performs and documents any processing equipment maintenance.

4. Performs one or more of the following advanced functions:

a. Pre-Analytic: In an outpatient and inpatient setting, performs phlebotomy and other specialized specimen collection procedures for patients; maintains competency of techniques and principles required to perform quality phlebotomy services.

b. Specialty Areas (i.e., Anatomical Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular, etc.): Performs advanced functions such as assisting with frozen sections, special stain procedures, cytology processing, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and other section specific specialty tasks as per section scope.

5. Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE - 10%

1. Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.

2. Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%

1. Guides and mentors section employees and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities.

2. Participates in departmental projects activities, and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of 3 years of related experience required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

None required
Relevant certification (e.g., phlebotomy, medical laboratory assistant) preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED to perform the Essential Functions of the Job:

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going evaluations consisting of one or more of the following: skills, competency assessments and/or performance reviews
Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy
Demonstrates a working knowledge of specimen requirements for testing, processing, and proper waste disposing
Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include Hospital / Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents
Independently adapts to multiple ongoing priorities including organizing work flow
Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion to recognize problems, identify causes and take corrective action
Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital opened in December 2000 to serve the comprehensive health care needs of the growing community in Northwest Houston. The 312 bed hospital has 17 operating rooms, and more than 1,900 employees. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has been named a Magnet recognized health care facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® and was ranked No. 8 in the Houston metro area and No. 19 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Hospital” in 2016. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is Northwest Houston's regional leader in robotic minimally-invasive surgeries and specializes in cardiology and cardiovascular services, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, and comprehensive cancer services. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has a Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Imaging Center, Infusion Center, Sleep Center, Surgical Weight Loss Center and operates the largest Childbirth Center in the greater Northwest Houston area.

Medical Laboratory Assistant II - Military Veterans

Houston, TX

Houston, TX