SENIOR MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT- 40006201

Durham County Government employs approximately 1,900 employees that work towards providing needed services throughout the community. With a wide array of services, Durham County Government is at the heart of a rapidly growing and diverse area offering residents, employees and visitors exciting opportunities to live, work, grow and play. For more information about Durham County Government, visit www.dconc.gov.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The primary purpose of the Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant position is to assist in patient care by providing specimen collection, specimen processing, and limited specimen testing services for the clients of the Durham County Department of Public Health. This position is responsible for providing phlebotomy and specimen collection for outreach programs, such as lead screenings and communicable disease intervention programs. This position will process and package all referred laboratory specimens, maintain specimen tracking logs, and receive and disseminate all referred test results.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Positively identify all patients and verify that patient and requisition information match
• Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures following all required safety procedures and wearing appropriate PPE as required by policy and procedure
• Process patient specimens as required
• Package test specimens appropriately for reference laboratories
• Maintain adequate supply of stock in the phlebotomy area required
• Monitor stock expiration dates and adhere to First In, First Out method of stocking supplies
• Assist in inventory and ordering processes
• Miscellaneous responsibilities and special projects as assigned
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Independent functioning with excellent problem solving and customer service skills;
• Must be able to read and interpret technical data;
• Must perform venipuncture of varying degrees of difficulty on pediatric and adult patients;
• Some knowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation and equipment;
• Some knowledge of test procedures performed in the laboratory;
• Knowledge of specimen processing;
• Skill in the use of laboratory equipment and in the performance of procedures;
• Ability to make accurate observations;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High school or General Educational Development diploma and one year of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Phlebotomy Certification by the American Societty of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or a National Credentialing Agency (NCA).
• CPR certification is required upon hire.
• One year of experience as a phlebotomist highly preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking applicants preferred.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to advance health equity, protect the environment, and promote health and wellness for all, DCoDPH is implementing the employee vaccination and tuberculosis screening policies. All DCoDPH employees are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) working in a health care setting with the potential for exposure to patients and/or infectious materials and, therefore, are required to comply and provide documented proof of the following:
•    Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity 
•    Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity 
•    Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
•    Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
•    Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.

Identified DCoDPH HCP with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure have an additional requirement for the Hepatitis B vaccination. Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.
Proof of vaccination and tuberculosis screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven (7) business days prior to the date of employment.
 

Durham County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer