Laboratory Assistant III

Dubuque, IA

Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM

Full Time Benefits

The Laboratory Assistant III plays an important role in the lab. The LA III is the face of the lab interacting with patient and healthcare personnel. Primary responsibilities include training of students and new team members on all aspects of the position in addition to being a lead for the department by prioritizing and directing the work as needed to ensure best patient care. Responsibilities also include processing laboratory specimens for testing, evaluating specimen acceptability, patient registration, specimen collections, complex troubleshooting and customer service. Duties vary by location but may include phlebotomy, waived and moderate laboratory testing, microbiology setups.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Clinical Excellence
• Primary responsibility for sample receiving, processing and delivery of specimens to testing areas.
• Prepares reference laboratory specimens to assure specimen handling and shipping requirements are met.
• Reference lab result management
• As applicable, perform microbiology setups.
• Responsible for performing and resulting waived testing and in some locations moderate complex testing.
• Registers, orders, and accessions specimens utilizing the laboratory and hospital information systems.
• Greets everyone with a pleasant and professional manner.
• Identifies patients and samples using two patient identifiers, always labeling samples in the presence of the patient.
• May perform a variety of blood draws and specimen collections, including but not limited to venous, capillary blood and newborn heel sticks.
• May assist with processes and procedures in Pathology including transcription.
• Achieves understanding of lab tests to answer patient questions in an easy-to-understand way.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of computer programs for patient identification, order, and sample tracking.
• May be required to float to multiple locations and settings.
• Other duties as assigned
Leading and Training

• Assists with and often leads orientation to all employees and students.
• Administers training and coaching to staff under direction of the Supervisor.
• Develops, maintains, and updates training and competency programs as necessary to ensure quality and to maintain accreditation.
• Uses technical knowledge and ability to manage and resolve issues related to patient orders and specimen collection.
• Independently exercises judgment in determining work priority and at times directs work for others. Interacts with nursing units and clients to ascertain critical priorities, verify discrepancies and problem solve.
• Assists with scheduling and supply ordering needs.

Quality and Safety

• Aware of and provides support of department and hospital quality metrics.
• Responsible for following all infection control and safety standards.
• Correctly performs and documents testing, troubleshooting, quality control and maintenance on testing.

Committed Team

• Utilizes supply items in a cost-effective manner, recognizing when to reorder, and assisting with unpacking and/or restocking items.
• May be responsible for clerical duties such as answering phones, collecting consents and transcription.
• Attends department huddles, staff meetings and other required training.
• Checks emails regularly for important communications relevant to assignment.

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Experience

Previous experience in a clinical laboratory

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Basic computer skills