Skip to content

Medical Laboratory Assistant II - PRN

Location: Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
18220 State Highway 249
Houston, TX 77070
Job Ref:
55034
Talent Area:
Laboratory Services
Job Shift:
AS NEEDED 2nd - Evening
Job Type:
PRN
Work Week:
PRN - works weekdays from 2pm-11:30pm with occasional weekends, but must be flexible to work varied shifts including day and night based on needs of the department
Posted Date:
April 10, 2024

The Medical Laboratory Assistant II has responsibility for the processing, organizing, labeling, and transporting of specimens for laboratory testing. As an experienced and fully competent laboratory assistant, performs advanced functions such as phlebotomy and/or section-specific specialty tasks and serves as a role model and preceptor for other staff. Duties include the input and extraction of data from the Laboratory Information System as well as clerical tasks such as answering phones and filing documents.

Requirements:

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
  • Serves as a preceptor to less experienced and/or new staff and students by utilizing skills and knowledge to help train and educate others.


SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Prepares specimens for courier pick up and delivery to referral lab as necessary. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.
  • Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Files requisitions, reports and other pathology materials appropriately. Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.
  • Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues and notifies management of issue and resolution. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.
  • Organizes workload, sets priorities, and troubleshoots workflow issues. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.


QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Receives, triages, orders, labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing. Processes specimens, aliquots, and/or slides/blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories. Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Assists pathologist and/or other laboratory personnel with specimen grossing as needed.
  • Recognizes problems (such as mislabels, incorrect tube type, etc.), identifies causes, and takes corrective action to solve basic problems.
  • Operates automated instrumentation as applicable at entity following all safety measures. Performs and documents any processing equipment maintenance.
  • Performs one or more of the following advanced functions:
    - Pre-Analytic: In an outpatient and inpatient setting, performs phlebotomy and other specialized specimen collection procedures for patients; maintains competency of techniques and principles required to perform quality phlebotomy services
    - Specialty Areas (i.e., Anatomical Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular, etc.): Performs advanced functions such as assisting with frozen sections, special stain procedures, cytology processing, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and other section specific specialty tasks as per section scope.
  • Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.


FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.
  • Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.


GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Guides and mentors section employees and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities.
  • Participates in departmental projects activities, and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.


This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION

  • High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)


WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum of 3 years of related experience required

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

  • N/A


LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

  • Relevant certification (e.g., phlebotomy, medical laboratory assistant)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going evaluations consisting of one or more of the following: skills, competency assessments and/or performance reviews
  • Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
  • Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy
  • Demonstrates a working knowledge of specimen requirements for testing, processing, and proper waste disposing
  • Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include Hospital / Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents
  • Independently adapts to multiple ongoing priorities including organizing work flow
  • Demonstrates independent judgment and discretion to recognize problems, identify causes and take corrective action
  • Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
  • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

  • Uniform
  • Scrubs
  • Business professional
  • Other (department approved)

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

  • On Call*

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

  • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area
  • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a Magnet-recognized, not-for-profit, faith-based hospital that serves the growing Northwest Houston community. With 358 licensed beds, Houston Methodist Willowbrook is committed to providing quality, cost-effective health care in a compassionate environment for a full range of services, including emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine, comprehensive women’s services, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, and primary and general medicine.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

Follow us on Glassdoor.
Houston Methodist Recognized By Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for New Grads List
Houston Methodist Health is thrilled to announce our community’s recent achievement and recognition by Forbes. Officially released on May 23, Forbes recognized Houston Methodist in its annual list of America’s Best Employers for New Grads. In the “Healthcare and Social” industry category, Houston Methodist was ranked highly among the 35 …
Houston Methodist Hospital Reaches Historical Milestone: 10,000th Transplant Procedure
Our community is excited to announce that Houston Methodist reached a historical milestone this month. Surgeons at Houston Methodist Hospital completed its 10,000th organ transplant procedure, officially joining a small number of hospitals with transplant programs nationwide to have reached this significant achievement. A 68-year-old man from Brownsville received a …
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Celebrates 25 Years of Serving Its Community
Houston Methodist is proud to share another pinnacle milestone. Congratulations to the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital on celebrating 25 years of dedicated service to its community. The Sugar Land Hospital holds a special place in Houston Methodist’s history. Sugar Land’s official opening in 1998 marked the first time our …

VISIT THE DAILY DOSE HOMEPAGE FOR MORE ARTICLES >>