Description
San Mateo Medical Center is seeking experienced Laboratory Assistant - Extra Help. Under general supervision of the Laboratory Support Services Supervisor, Laboratory Assistant II's provide assistance to laboratory professionals in the areas of test preparation, collection of blood samples, performance of specified tests, and preparation of media and reagents.
Duties include, but are not limited to, adding test reagents to specimen or vice-versa in specified qualitative and semi-qualitative "spot, tablet or stick" tests; performing venous and skin punctures to obtain blood samples for test purposes; operating mechanical and electrical test instruments; preparing clinical specimens for examination using prescribed methods such as labeling, concentration, centrifugation, decantation, filtration, etc.; preparing specimens for shipping; assisting in the supervision and training of subordinate personnel; performing minor clerical duties; and performing other related duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate has:
- Experience in pediatric, geriatric, inpatient, and outpatient phlebotomy including, but not limited to, specimen processing in microbiology, pathology, and send outs.
- Experience working within a hospital laboratory setting.
- Ability to work independently.
- Willingness to adapt to change and learn new skills.
- Customer service experience.
- Previous experience communicating directly with nurses and physicians.
- At least one year of inpatient experience and one year of outpatient experience, including ICU, pediatrics and geriatrics.
- Certified Phlebotomy Technicians (CPT) certification.
- Fluency in an additional language is a plus.
We currently have multiple Extra Help vacancies.
NOTE: This Job Announcement was edited on May 16, 2023, regarding the definition of the extra help assignment. This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment will be used for extra-help hire only.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist licensed or certified laboratory professionals in the performance of tests, either in a medical laboratory or a public health laboratory setting.
- Prepare and stain smears for bacteriological and parasitological examination following prescribed techniques.
- Prepare specimens for shipping and maintain accurate records.
- Add test reagents to specimen or vice-versa in specified qualitative and semi-quantitative "spot, tablet, or stick" tests.
- Prepare clinical specimens for examination using prescribed methods, such as labeling, concentration, centrifugation, decantation, filtration, etc.
- Maintain cleanliness in the laboratory work area, stocks of laboratory supplies and appropriate records.
- Perform minor clerical duties such as charging lab tests, logging slips, ordering tests in LIS, transcribing results which have been previously recorded, keeping records of temperatures, etc.
- Assist in the supervising and training of subordinate personnel.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
If assigned to a medical laboratory:
- Perform venous and skin punctures to obtain blood samples for test purposes.
- Prepare blood components, reagents and culture media to be used in performing laboratory tests.
- Perform finger stick tests of all types including waived tests.
- Perform skin tests including PPDs.
- Perform and maintain quality requirements of waived CLIA tests including dipstick UAs, pregnancy and fecal occult blood tests.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Experience: Two years of experience working in a clinical, public health, environmental, food or other biological laboratory.
Licensure/Certification:
- San Mateo Medical Center positions require possession of a valid phlebotomy certificate issued by the State of California to perform phlebotomy in a hospital setting. (Note: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED is a requirement for this certificate.)
Knowledge of:
- Laboratory methods and techniques used in the preparation of media, reagents, and test.
- Infection control principles and practices.
- Techniques for disinfecting, sterilizing, and glassware washing.
- Operation of laboratory equipment and instruments such as autoclaves, ovens, incubators and centrifuges.
- Laboratory safety procedures.
- Proper specimen processing procedures; department and hospital safety practices and procedures; patient rights; infection control policies and practices; handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials; department and hospital emergency response policies and procedures.
Skill/Ability to:
- Operate laboratory equipment and instruments such as autoclaves, ovens, incubators, and centrifuges accurately and safely.
- Make mathematic calculations using simple formulas including percentages and ratios.
- Measure liquid and solid materials using graduated glassware and weighing devices.
- Comprehend and meticulously follow oral and written procedural and safety instructions contained in standard procedural manuals.
- Deal tactfully with the public and co-workers.
- Perform venipuncture and finger punctures.
Application/Examination
If you are interested in being considered for this extra help position, the following materials must be electronically submitted in a Word or PDF format.
- Cover letter
- Resumé
- Responses to these supplemental questions:
- Positions in the San Mateo Medical Center Laboratory Department require the possession of a valid and current phlebotomy certificate issued by the State of California. Provide the following: 1) license number and 2) expiration date.
- Describe the experience, education and training that has prepared you for a position as Laboratory Assistant II. Be specific.
- In your own words, define "Universal Precautions" as it relates to laboratory assistants.
- In your own words, define Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance as it relates to laboratory assistants.
- Do you have experience drawing blood in the following settings? For EACH of the settings you selected, list the employers' name and dates worked.
- Acute Care Hospital
- Long-term Care Facility
- Reference Laboratory
- Doctor's Office/Outpatient Clinic
- None of the above
- How many years of on-the-job experience do you have drawing blood?
- Which of the following computer programs have you used for at least 6 months in a work setting?
- Novius Lab
- InVision
- eClinicalWorks (eCW)
- PowerPath
- Orchard
- Microsoft Office Suite
- None of the above
- Laboratory Assistants may be required to work various shifts and hours. Please check your availability below:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Weekends
- Holidays
- AM Shift (5:30am - 2:00pm)
- PM Shift (2:00pm - 10:30pm)
- Night Shift (10:30pm - 7:00am)
- Fluency in another language is preferred but not required. Are you fluent in another language in addition to English? Which language are you fluent in?
Please include the words "Laboratory Assistant II - Extra Help" in the subject line of email submission. All submitted materials must be in a Word or PDF format.
Please submit the above listed materials via email to:
Chad Below, Clinical Services Manager II-Laboratory
cbelow@smcgov.org
Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Apply immediately! This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. Resumés will be accepted until the position is filled and selection may be made at any time within the process.
NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (Cover Letter, Resume and responses to the supplemental questions) will not be considered.
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
.
HR Contact: Debbie Kong (03162023) (Laboratory Assistant II - F156)
We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance (Download PDF reader) page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)
In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.
As a County employee, you’ll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
Read Full Description