Specimen Processing Specialist 2
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
Department Overview
The major duties of specimen processing consist of receiving, identifying, assigning accession numbers, sorting, preparing, and internally distributing blood, urine, and other biological specimens. The secondary role of this position is to provide technical support for patient care areas, laboratory technical staff, and other specimen processors. This position will also answer telephone calls concerning patient values, normal values, specimen requirements, procedures, time required for tests, and preparation of specimens to outside labs for analysis. The person filling this position will exhibit a professional demeanor and perform the duties with an attitude that best serves the clients of the department, OHSU, and outside the organization. This is the second of a two‑level series, distinguished from the lower level by the variety of technical and administrative work and training duties.
Functions / Duties Specimen receipt and processing
Loads specimens onto the automation line for processing.
Centrifuges samples and transfers to appropriately labeled containers.
Initiates calls to health care providers to clarify orders, referring physicians, requesting location or patient history.
Accurately measures specimens, records volumes, and determines if sample quality and quantity are sufficient for testing.
Directs samples to technologists and testing areas either manually or using the automation lines, or stores samples for future testing. Notifies technologists or appropriate lab when priority work is received.
Determines acceptability of specimens received and calls ward physician to clarify orders or advise of unacceptable samples.
Provides backup for telephone coverage and assistance with test ordering.
Checks accuracy of specimens, requisitions, labels.
Performs computer entry in Epic HIS system.
Handles and processes samples for many labs on and off campus.
Accurately labels samples, requisitions, and appropriate specimen containers.
Ensures all samples are logged in to the lab and triaged in a timely manner.
Trains new employees
Provides on‑the‑job training orientation, guidance, and coaching for new specimen processing specialists.
Shares expertise with less experienced staff.
May be asked to perform in a shift‑lead capacity.
Performs client services duties
Tracks missing specimens and resolves discrepancies quickly and professionally.
Answers multi‑line telephone and provides a pleasant and professional telephone manner as a frontline representative of the laboratory.
Assists callers with all aspects of laboratory operations.
Transfers or refers calls or confers with other areas of lab or hospital as needed.
Other Duties As Assigned Additional duties may include tasks assigned by supervisory staff.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma and at least four years of college laboratory science courses, plus one year of college math or computer courses; OR
High school diploma and four years of clinical laboratory experience; OR
High school diploma and successful completion of a Lab Assistant Training program including two years clinical laboratory experience.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, terminology, equipment, and materials.
Knowledge of basic math.
Ability to follow formulas accurately.
Ability to handle, package, and store laboratory specimens and materials.
Ability to operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
Ability to learn routine testing methods, procedures, and techniques.
Ability to keep accurate records in conformance with laboratory procedures.
Ability to follow written and verbal procedures (instructions).
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Two years in a clinical laboratory including sample receipt, processing, customer service, and multi‑line phone use.
Completed courses in medical terminology and in anatomy and physiology.
Training or experience demonstrating proficiency with healthcare/lab information systems.
Experience using Epic Systems.
Additional Details Positions may require working flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays; working at multiple laboratory or hospital sites; traveling between laboratories and sites by stairs, elevator, tram, shuttle, or other means; exposure to blood and body fluids, chemical hazards, and radiation; working in a somewhat noisy and crowded environment; wearing gloves and other personal protective equipment for long periods; experiencing occasional temperature fluctuations in the building.
Benefits
Healthcare options – covered 100% for full‑time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
Two separate above‑market pension plans to choose from.
Vacation – up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service.
Sick leave – up to 96 hours per year.
8 paid holidays per year.
Substantial Tri‑met and C‑Tran discounts.
Additional programs including tuition reimbursement and employee assistance program (EAP).
EEO Statement All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions, and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti‑racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu.
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Functions / Duties Specimen receipt and processing
Loads specimens onto the automation line for processing.
Centrifuges samples and transfers to appropriately labeled containers.
Initiates calls to health care providers to clarify orders, referring physicians, requesting location or patient history.
Accurately measures specimens, records volumes, and determines if sample quality and quantity are sufficient for testing.
Directs samples to technologists and testing areas either manually or using the automation lines, or stores samples for future testing. Notifies technologists or appropriate lab when priority work is received.
Determines acceptability of specimens received and calls ward physician to clarify orders or advise of unacceptable samples.
Provides backup for telephone coverage and assistance with test ordering.
Checks accuracy of specimens, requisitions, labels.
Performs computer entry in Epic HIS system.
Handles and processes samples for many labs on and off campus.
Accurately labels samples, requisitions, and appropriate specimen containers.
Ensures all samples are logged in to the lab and triaged in a timely manner.
Trains new employees
Provides on‑the‑job training orientation, guidance, and coaching for new specimen processing specialists.
Shares expertise with less experienced staff.
May be asked to perform in a shift‑lead capacity.
Performs client services duties
Tracks missing specimens and resolves discrepancies quickly and professionally.
Answers multi‑line telephone and provides a pleasant and professional telephone manner as a frontline representative of the laboratory.
Assists callers with all aspects of laboratory operations.
Transfers or refers calls or confers with other areas of lab or hospital as needed.
Other Duties As Assigned Additional duties may include tasks assigned by supervisory staff.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma and at least four years of college laboratory science courses, plus one year of college math or computer courses; OR
High school diploma and four years of clinical laboratory experience; OR
High school diploma and successful completion of a Lab Assistant Training program including two years clinical laboratory experience.
Job Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, terminology, equipment, and materials.
Knowledge of basic math.
Ability to follow formulas accurately.
Ability to handle, package, and store laboratory specimens and materials.
Ability to operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
Ability to learn routine testing methods, procedures, and techniques.
Ability to keep accurate records in conformance with laboratory procedures.
Ability to follow written and verbal procedures (instructions).
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
Two years in a clinical laboratory including sample receipt, processing, customer service, and multi‑line phone use.
Completed courses in medical terminology and in anatomy and physiology.
Training or experience demonstrating proficiency with healthcare/lab information systems.
Experience using Epic Systems.
Additional Details Positions may require working flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays; working at multiple laboratory or hospital sites; traveling between laboratories and sites by stairs, elevator, tram, shuttle, or other means; exposure to blood and body fluids, chemical hazards, and radiation; working in a somewhat noisy and crowded environment; wearing gloves and other personal protective equipment for long periods; experiencing occasional temperature fluctuations in the building.
Benefits
Healthcare options – covered 100% for full‑time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
Two separate above‑market pension plans to choose from.
Vacation – up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service.
Sick leave – up to 96 hours per year.
8 paid holidays per year.
Substantial Tri‑met and C‑Tran discounts.
Additional programs including tuition reimbursement and employee assistance program (EAP).
EEO Statement All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions, and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti‑racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr