Processing Assistant

Everyone Is a Caregiver

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

This position is responsible for the procurement of blood specimens from patients for laboratory procedures. In addition to the collecting and transporting of the blood samples to the laboratory, the Central Processing Assistant is responsible for the processing of the specimens in preparation for analysis. The Central Processing Assistant is responsible for performing EKGs using the GE EKG carts and MUSE software program and for performing patient registration functions and insurance verification on outpatients.

Major Responsibilities:

• Proper identification of the patient using two identifies: patient name and date of birth.
• Perform a variety of routine and complex blood drawing procedures to include venipuncture and capillary puncture (finger and heel sticks) using standardized equipment.
• Respond to all STAT blood work requests within 30 minutes. Respond to all timed specimen requests within + / - 15 minutes.
• Utilize ROVER (positive patient identification system) for all inpatient blood draws.
• Perform EKGs using the GE EKG carts and the MUSE software program.
• Enter required patient registration information into the HIS (hospital information system) and perform insurance verification on laboratory outpatients. Scan all necessary documents into the HIS under the correct patient encounter.
• Confer with patients to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, allay fears and elicit cooperation.
• Transport specimens to the laboratory while maintaining specimen integrity.
• Adhere to standard precautions and all infection control policies and procedures.
• Prepare, process, label and store patient specimens according to departmental procedures using approved techniques and equipment, for subsequent analysis by the clinical laboratory.
• Respond to the pneumatic tube system and disperse patient specimens to the appropriate lab section in an efficient manner.
• Provide technical guidance to Phlebotomy students and new employees.
• Review uncollected lists on a regular basis; ensuring all specimens have been obtained.
• Centrifuge, aliquot, and appropriately store all reference laboratory specimens per laboratory policies and procedures. Build transport batches to prepare specimens for courier pickup.
• Mail and fax laboratory reports to physician offices.
• Provide routine specimen pick-up for all physicians in adjoining medical / professional buildings.
• Perform all duties at the Outpatient Lab front desk including but not limited to greeting the patient, placing lab orders in the laboratory information system, check tests ordered and diagnosis for medical necessity, deliver ABN (advance beneficiary notice) to patient when applicable, and make necessary phone calls to physician offices for clarification of orders.
• Maintain entire work area including phlebotomy trays in a neat, clean, and organized manner.
• Answer the central processing and outpatient laboratory telephones within 3 rings.
• Monitor the reference laboratory pending work list and resolve issues as they arise.

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Successful completion of a certified phlebotomy course.
• Minimum: Completion of 120 hours of clinical experience.

Experience/Skills: Required:

• Requires the ability to endure periods of heavy workload and stress.
• Must possess ability to coordinate eyes and hands to fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with speed.
• Good communication and customer service skills.

Preferred:

• Minimum one (1) year of phlebotomy experience with patients of all ages.
• Phlebotomy certification through American Society of Clinical Pathology PBT (ASCP).

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.