Lab Assistant - Part-Time - Days

Ranked #1 for Safety, Quality and Patient Satisfaction, Jupiter Medical Center is the leading destination for world-class health care in Palm Beach County and the greater Treasure Coast.

Outstanding physicians, state-of-the-art facilities, innovative techniques and a commitment to serving the community enables Jupiter Medical Center to meet a broad range of patient needs. Jupiter Medical Center is the only hospital in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties to receive a 4-star quality and safety rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Education

• High School Graduate or Equivalent

Experience / Qualifications

Recognized national certification certificate, (i.e. ASPT, ASCP) preferred:

• This position requires experience, knowledge, and superior independent judgement as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Familiar with the overall laboratory policies, procedures, and service.
• Participates and assists with the efficient and effective departmental operations, including department quality control and compliance adherence.
• Special Skills: Precise hand to eye coordination and finger dexterity is necessary to perform procedures, obtain specimens and use electronic/computerized equipment.
• Ability to utilize more than one computer system to track and receive orders.
• Able to learn specimen requirements for ordering of anatomical pathology tissue testing and processing.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to self-direct and exercise independent judgment in situations requiring follow-up and discussions with clinical staff and/or other areas of Laboratory to ensure completeness of task and customer satisfaction.
• Works well in a team environment to accomplish common tasks to solve problems and enhance the smooth and efficient flow of the department.

Position Summary

The Laboratory Assistant performs routine and limited non-routine functions to aid in the preparation of histopathology samples. The Laboratory Assistant will be required to ensure proper patient identification of surgical blocks, slides, and folders The Laboratory Assistant will work under general supervision of trained, licensed and certified Histo technologists and / or Histo Technicians.

• Performs routine opening and closing procedures in the histology lab including starting up and shutting down of equipment as well as performing quality assurance procedures and documentation.
• Under general supervision and according to policies and procedures, perform routine and limited non-routine activities involved in the preparation of slides, for microscopic evaluation by pathologist(s). 
• Receive / collect, label, and prepare tissue specimens for gross dissection. 
• Process paperwork associated with accessioning and reporting. 
• Stores blocks, slides, and paperwork according to histology laboratory procedures.
• Prepare reagents for tissue processing and routine slide staining, under direct supervision. 
• Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment. 
• Handles communication between pathologists and the histology personnel to ensure all requests and inquiries are handled in a timely manner.
• Perform cover-slipping of stained slides either manually or automated. 
• Monitor pending lists. 
• May register out-patients patient specimens in hospital computer system, order tests in laboratory computer system.
• May generate and maintain department statistics. 
• Completes the histology laboratory electronic case file, entering data as necessary to Path Assist or other database.
• Monitor inventory, requisition and order supplies prior to depletion, stock and maintain laboratory supplies. 
• Responds to external requests to retain, release, or prepare specimens in accordance with histology laboratory procedures.
• Assists in the destruction of wet tissue according to histology laboratory procedures.
• Follows all safety and quality assurance / quality control protocols.
• Maintains log of tissue samples entering the histology lab.
• Operate, clean, and sterilize laboratory equipment, glassware, and instruments. Maintain a clean workstation in the grossing area. 
• Responsible for all assigned clerical duties associated with the Histology laboratory.
• May generate and maintain department statistics.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information concerning patients, physicians, employees, clients, vendors, and the Company. 
• Maintains cleanliness and well-organized work areas in the histology lab.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Team Member Competencies

Establishing Relationships

Builds effective networks, working relationships, and alliances in order to collaborate effectively within department and organization.  Can relate to all kinds of people regardless of background; find topics and common interests that can be used to build rapport with others.

Peer Support

Provides guidance and feedback to help others strengthen knowledge/skills needed to accomplish tasks, solve problems, and perform effectively within the team. 

Inspiring and Motivating Others

Fosters commitment and cohesiveness by facilitating cooperation and working as a team within the organization toward goal accomplishments.  Work well with others, build consensus, and ensure cooperation to complete tasks and positive workflow. 

Demonstrating Emotional Intelligence

Exercises self-leadership, self-awareness, and self-regulation; manages emotions so that they are expressed appropriately; leads others by showcasing adaptability, empathy, and social skills.

Acting with Integrity

Interacts with others in a way that is seen as direct and truthful; ensures confidence in individual and organizational motives and representations.  Acts in a way that is consistent with personal and organizational values by keeping confidence, promises, and commitments.  Clearly states goals and beliefs; informs people of their true intentions, does what they say they will do; follows through on commitments.

Being a Champion for Change and Innovation

Supports people in their efforts to try new things.  Things creatively, generates novel and valuable ideas and uses these ideas to develop new or improved processes. Accepts new ways of doing things and adapts to change.

Communicating Effectively

Speaks and writes clearly, conveys information in a concise, organized, and logical manner.  Is adept at tailoring the message to fit the interests and needs of the audience.  Listens attentively and exercises tact, discretion, and diplomacy when interacting with members of the department and organization.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Treats all people with dignity and respect.  Demonstrates an open-minded approach to understanding people regardless of their gender, age, race, national origin, religion, ethnicity, disability status, or other characteristics.  Challenge’s bias and intolerance.  Develops all-inclusive groups in the realms of social interaction and communication.  Shows respect for the beliefs of others; encourages and promotes practices that support cultural diversity; discourages behaviors or practices that may be perceived as unfair, biased, or critical toward people with certain backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

This job can be physically demanding at times requiring stooping, sitting, standing, and walking for long periods of time. Must be able to work in a stressful environment, detail oriented, alert and self-motivated. Ability to push/pull up to 40lbs, carry and lift up to 50lbs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Threshold Requirements

• These threshold requirements are required and completed yearly basis
• Annual Joint Commission mandatory education requirements, in-service and health requirements including attendance at new employee orientation
• TB/PPD Surveillance Program
• Maintenance of required professional licensing and/or certification(s).

This is not necessarily an extensive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associates with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change. I have reviewed these job requirements and verify that I can perform all essential functions of this position.