Purpose:

Works with Technical staff in the Laboratory to support analytic activities with tasks required prior to specimen analysis. Duties and responsibilities may vary by location and by services provided by the hiring department.

Responsibilities:

• All duties of a Specimen Processor including: Answers phone inquiries. Investigates specimen status and report disposition. Directs callers to additional resources as needed. Receives, sorts, prepares and delivers testing-ready specimens for analysis to work areas. Demonstrates service orientation approach by conveying courtesy, respect, enthusiasm and a positive attitude in work situations.

• Additional duties: Performs routine and basic instrument maintenance according to established protocols. Records temperatures if required. Assists with restocking supplies to maintain an optimal inventory. Maintains clean and orderly storage spaces for room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen supplies. Prepares and replenishes instrument reagents and consumables as needed. Performs QA / QC procedures as assigned. Assists with specimen/slide storage and retrieval. Checks pending work lists. Investigates and resolves any unprocessed work. Decontaminates work area, keeping a neat and clean working environment. Keeps any glassware clean and dry, including tests for residue removal as needed. Tests and cleans emergency eyewashes and showers as assigned. Sorts laboratory waste as needed and ensures that proper disposal occurs. Transports specimens off-site and delivers supplies where required.

• Additional duties (Pennsylvania locations only): Prepares specimens at workstations for testing. Includes building worklists, checking specimens for acceptability (clots, QNS), aliquoting specimens, loading/unloading specimens onto instruments. Prepares microscopic slides and plants specimens in microbiologic growth media where required.

• High School diploma or equivalent, and at least 2yrs experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) required in a clinical lab

• OR Associate degree (with biology and chemistry courses) and at least 1yr of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab

• OR Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant certification and 1yr of experience as a Specimen Processor (or equivalent) in a clinical lab

• OR Successful completion of a 50wk U.S. military medical laboratory training course

• OR B.S. degree from an accredited institution with a major in a biological or clinical laboratory science

• OR Currently enrolled in a MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or equivalent training program, with 3 yrs college credits required. Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances: Medical Laboratory Assistant MLA (ASCP) or equivalent certification preferred.Valid driver's license if one is departmentally required.

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran