Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Accountabilities:

• Receives and unpacks specimens delivered by pneumatic tube system, courier, hospital staff (and outpatients if required)
• Registers patient information in computer as needed; accessions specimens; labels, numbers and aliquots specimens as required
• Uses positive patient identification to ensure that all requisitions, specimens, sample aliquots are traceable
• Applies specimen acceptance and rejection criteria as per established laboratory policies
• Enters add-on test requests in computer; retrieves specimens for further testing as required
• Answers phone inquiries and provides customer service to resolve issues
• Faxes reports according to protocol
• Prepares and ships samples to referral laboratories (includes documentation, labelling and packaging) in shipping containers at suitable conditions to maintain specimen integrity
• Proper storage and discarding of specimens in accordance with retention policies and biohazard waste protocols
• Reagent/stain preparation, reconstitution, and filtering according to procedures
• Familiar with COVID-19 sample preparation, including extraction
• Ability to run, maintain and troubleshoot COVID-19 specific equipment
• Performs quality control testing as required
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including properly functioning quality controlled automated analyzers as applicable
• Reviews outstanding specimen reports (pending lists), and investigates outliers
• Transcription of results from worksheets/reports into computer for final verification by MLT
• Performs temperature monitoring of refrigerators, freezers and incubators
• Maintains knowledge of current policies and procedures in their assigned work area, completes action items, reads work-related emails, attends staff meetings, stays informed, etc.
• Understands and actively participates in maintaining the laboratory quality management system
• Participates in detecting, reporting, correcting and preventing unexpected occurrences, identifies opportunities for improvement
• Completes occurrence reports (DATIX), applies relevant markers and canned text comments
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Osler policy
• Washes glassware, performs general laboratory housekeeping, disinfects benches and equipment
• Biohazard waste containment, packaging and storage for pick-up
• Receipt of inventory and applies acceptance criteria; records and reports unacceptability
• Monitors and maintains inventory
• Participates in continuing education activities
• Other duties as assigned according to training and scope of practice
• May be required to cross-train into other lab areas based on operational need
• May be required to attend hospital during off hours to attend to emergency situations