At Riverside, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our organization is running optimally and safely, helping keep the community healthy. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to succeed in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as a team. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!
FTE: 0.500000
Shift: Afternoons
Location: RIVERSIDE MEDICAL CENTER
Summary:
The Laboratory Specimen Processor is responsible for the accurate and timely receipt, identification, and preparation of patient specimens for laboratory testing at a busy hospital-based laboratory with supervision. This position ensures proper labeling, sorting, and tracking of specimens while maintaining compliance with regulatory and institutional standards to support quality patient care across the Riverside Healthcare organization. Position includes rotating weekend and holiday shifts.
Required Experience:
Preferred Experience:
• Healthcare or laboratory experience preferred
• Basic understanding of medical terminology and laboratory procedures preferred
• Proficiency in data entry and familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS) a plus
Required Licensure/Education:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Licensure/Education:
Compensation:
Minimum hourly rate: $15.00
Maximum hourly rate: $17.21
Responsibilities:
Essential Job Duties:
• Specimen Receiving: Receive and accurately log patient specimens into the laboratory information system (LIS). Verify specimen integrity and proper labeling, ensuring adherence to established protocols. Sort, aliquot, process, and prioritize specimens for analysis, based on test requirements and urgency, including add-on test requests and send-out testing samples.
• Specimen Processing: Load patient specimens onto laboratory instrumentation for clinical testing. Prepare specimens for transport to appropriate testing locations within the laboratory.
• Collaboration and Communication: Communicate with nursing staff, physicians, and other departments regarding specimen issues and test orders via telephone, fax, instant messaging program, etc. Report atypical sample or equipment behavior or any deviations from policies and procedures to department leadership.
• Safety and Compliance: Follow safety protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling of biohazard materials. Participate in quality assurance initiatives to maintain compliance with regulatory guidelines. Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records and documentation of all specimens received.
• Inventory Management: Assist in maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Administrative Support: Support clerical duties, such as data entry or filing, as needed.
• Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
Nonessential Job Duties:
• Specimen Receiving: Receive and accurately log patient specimens into the laboratory information system (LIS). Verify specimen integrity and proper labeling, ensuring adherence to established protocols. Sort, aliquot, process, and prioritize specimens for analysis, based on test requirements and urgency, including add-on test requests and send-out testing samples.
• Specimen Processing: Load patient specimens onto laboratory instrumentation for clinical testing. Prepare specimens for transport to appropriate testing locations within the laboratory.
• Collaboration and Communication: Communicate with nursing staff, physicians, and other departments regarding specimen issues and test orders via telephone, fax, instant messaging program, etc. Report atypical sample or equipment behavior or any deviations from policies and procedures to department leadership.
• Safety and Compliance: Follow safety protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling of biohazard materials. Participate in quality assurance initiatives to maintain compliance with regulatory guidelines. Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records and documentation of all specimens received.
• Inventory Management: Assist in maintaining inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Administrative Support: Support clerical duties, such as data entry or filing, as needed.
• Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.
Riverside Healthcare is revolutionizing care using leading-edge technology to diagnose and treat patients. We are ranked top in the nation for performance in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and heart surgery and have also been named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics seven times. Riverside is nationally recognized for our specialty programs in obstetrics, trauma, oncology, rehabilitation, geriatrics, occupational health, psychiatric services, and treatment of alcohol and chemical dependency, as well as patient safety. We combine innovation and convenience at state-of-the-art facilities located in communities throughout the greater Kankakee area.
Riverside Medical Center proves that truly progressive medicine is being delivered in Chicago's southwest suburbs and East Central Illinois. Join a team that is not only concerned with providing the best care possible but also with offering a work environment of advancement and growth. Riverside is a place that embraces a culture where opinions count and dedications is respected, where superior performance is rewarded with competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
Other information:
Exposure to:
Chemicals: Multiple acids, bases, caustics, corrosives, and carcinogens, formalin
Video Display Terminals: Average
Blood and Body Fluids: Blood and body fluids handled continuously on a daily basis so exposure is very high.
TB or Airborne Pathogens: High risk for TB and other airborne pathogens when working with patient specimens
Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):
Speech: Needed for communication with all coworkers and customers whether direct or via phone.
Vision: Needed for computer operation and specimen processing
Smell: Electrical/fire safety
Hearing: Needed to listen to coworkers, customers, and patients.
Touch: Needed for all specimen processing with a great deal of fine motor skills involved
Activity/Lifting Requirements:
Average Hours per Week: 6-40
Shift: Varies
Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:
Sit: 25%
Twist: 10%
Stand: 15%
Crawl: 0%
Walk: 25%
Kneel: 5%
Lift: 5%
Drive: 0%
Squat: 0%
Climb: 0%
Bend: 10%
Reach above shoulders: 5%
The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:
Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
Over 100 lbs: Not Required
Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):
Supply stock up to 20 lbs - 50' maximum distance normally carried to fill cabinets from floor to above shoulders.. Lift printer paper and roll of labels to bar code printer.
Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:
Sit: 40
Twist: 3
Stand: 45
Crawl: 0
Walk: 30
Kneel: 1
Lift: 2
Drive: 0
Squat: 0
Climb: 0
Bend: 2
Reach above shoulders: 2
Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):
Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: often
Pushing & pulling Normal weight: up to 3-35 lbs often
Fine Manipulation: Writing, typing, pipetting, manipulating specimens for testing procedures
Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:
Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
Inside hours: 8
Outside hours: 0
Temperature: Normal Range
Lighting: Very Bright
Noise levels: Average
Humidity: Normal Range
Atmosphere: Fumes, Odors
Special Hazards: Electrical, Other - Chemical additives for tests, electrical shock hazard in centrifuges. Constant exposure to blood and body fluids.
Protective Clothing Required: Gloves, lab coat, closed-toe shoes, occasional mask and goggles