Job Summary:

Reporting to the Phlebotomy Supervisor or designate, and under the direction of the Technical Leader, performs duties such as venipunctures, collecting urine samples for analysis by the Technologist, preparing and staining slides, and preparing and batching specimens.  Washes, sorts, cleans, and sterilizes laboratory glassware, instruments and equipment using industrial glassware/labware washers, ultrasonic cleaner or autoclave.  Separates out and autoclaves decontaminated materials such as specimens, media and containers. Collects contaminated material for disposal. Packages instruments for reuse and prepares chemical cleaning solutions.  Performs clerical duties such as answering the telephone, filing and looking up patient information such as previous laboratory tests performed utilizing the computerized laboratory information system.  Maintains and stocks supplies.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Performs venipunctures and micro blood collection on adults, children and babies.
    
2. Checks specimen identification against requisition to prepare for blood and urine analysis and looks up patient information utilizing the laboratory computer information system.  Separates serum/plasma from cells by centrifugation.
    
3. Batches specimens in order of established priorities for distribution to various areas or laboratories for testing.
    
4. Collects urine samples from outpatients as outlined on the requisition.
    
5. Prepares various staining solutions, chemical cleaning, and disinfectant solutions as required.  Changes staining solutions, stains, mounts and labels slides.  
    
6. Assigns accession numbers to requisitions and corresponding blood or body fluid samples.
    
7. Washes, cleans and sterilizes designated laboratory glassware and equipment utilizing industrial glass/labware washers, ultrasonic cleaner and/or autoclave according to established procedures.  Collects and separates out decontaminated materials and containers.
    
8. Packages and labels laboratory instruments such as scissors, forceps, swabs, pipettes, applicators and glass tubes for autoclaving according to established procedures.
    
9. Autoclaves contaminated materials such as specimens or media in accordance with established procedures.  Directly disposes waste into biohazard containers as required.
    
10. Ensures quality by checking temperature charts to ensure sterilization occurs.
    
11. Cleans and maintains various laboratory areas and equipment such as water baths, workbenches, work surfaces, safety cabinets, carts, refrigerators and freezers by methods such as wiping with disinfectant solutions, rinsing, and wiping dry.  Refills waters baths and defrosts freezers as required.
    
12. Performs clerical duties such as answering the telephone, filing and looking-up patient information such as previous laboratory tests performed as requested by wards or physicians utilizing the computerized laboratory information system.
    
13. Maintains supplies by performing duties such as completing requisitions, forwarding to the Supervisor or designate for signature, and forwarding to Stores as required.
    
14. Stocks supplies such as needles, tubes, and urine bottles, and prepares urine bottles for patients by performing duties such as affixing labels as required.
    
15. Reports unsafe conditions to supervisors as required.
    
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience
Grade 12, successful completion of a recognized Lab Assistant training program plus one year’s recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.    

Skills and Abilities
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to deal with others effectively.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
Ability to organize work.
Ability to operate related equipment.
Ability to keyboard at 25 w.p.m.