Job Summary

The Laboratory Assistant supports lab operations by processing and handling patient specimens for diagnostic testing in an accurate and timely manner and following established protocols. The Lab Assistant is responsible for receiving, centrifuging, storing, and transporting/distributing samples according to protocol in order to maintain sample integrity. The Lab Assistant provides customer service in all interactions with patients, physician and nursing personnel when providing instruction and assistance regarding laboratory testing results. May perform basic laboratory techniques and or testing congruent with CLIA requirements.

Essential Functions

• Receive specimens into the Laboratory. Visually inspect samples for appropriate volume and quality. Enter demographic data into Hospital Data system.
• Prepare specimens for analysis including centrifuging, aliquoting, plating, etc. Transports and stores specimens for future analysis
• Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson.
• Cooperates with laboratory divisions and nursing personnel to ensure proper collection of adequate and appropriate specimens for testing.
• Adheres to department policy involving the proper identification of a patient and proper labeling of blood samples.
• Maintains orderly and timely flow of specimens to the technical departments in order to expedite the analysis of samples.
• Answer phones, providing appropriate information related to test results, test status and sample requirements.
• Prepare laboratory specimens to be sent to reference laboratory if the testing is not available at TJUH laboratories, receive and report send-out results and maintain up-to- date reference lab requirements. The department handles telephone inquiries related to the clinical laboratory services and results doing so in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Coordinates the loading of prepared patient samples on the automation line to ensure timely sampling (where required by local laboratory needs). Assist with training other Lab Assistants as directed.
• Other lab assistance duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 1-2 years’ previous Laboratory Experience preferred. Prior laboratory assistance and/or phlebotomy training required at certain laboratory locations.

Minimum Certifications, Registration or License Requirements: Phlebotomy certification preferred.

Covid Vaccination is a requirement for employment at Jefferson for employees working at Jefferson’s clinical entities or at the University. If you are not currently vaccinated you will be required to receive the vaccination prior to hire date if you are offered employment, unless you request and receive an approved medical or religious exemption from Jefferson.

Jefferson includes Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, a dynamic university and health system with broad reach across the Delaware Valley. Jefferson is the second largest employer in Philadelphia and the largest health system in Philadelphia based on total licensed beds.

Through the merger of Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University in 2017, our University includes ten colleges and four schools. We are an NCAA Division II university and an R2 national doctoral university offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs that provide students with a forward-thinking education in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, medicine and social science.

Jefferson Health, the clinical arm of Thomas Jefferson University, has grown from a three-hospital academic health center in 2015, to an 18-hospital health system through mergers and combinations that include hospitals at Abington Health, Aria Health, Kennedy Health, Magee Rehabilitation and Einstein Healthcare Network. We have over 50 outpatient and urgent care centers; ten Magnet®-designated hospitals (recognized by the ANCC for nursing excellence); the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (one of only 70 in the country and one of only two in the region); and one of the largest faculty-based telehealth networks in the country. In 2021, Jefferson Health became the sole owner of HealthPartners Plan, a not-for-profit health maintenance organization in Southeastern Pennsylvania. We are the first health system regionally to create an aligned payer-provider partnership.

Jefferson’s mission, vision and values create an organization that attracts the best and the brightest students, faculty, staff, and healthcare professionals, as well as the most visionary leaders to drive exceptional results.

• OUR MISSION: We improve lives.
• OUR VISION: Reimagining health, education and discovery to create unparalleled value
• OUR VALUES: Put People First, Be Bold & Think Differently and Do the Right Thing

As an employer, Jefferson maintains a commitment to provide equal access to employment. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans.