JOB SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
Reporting to the Section Supervisor/Lead, the Laboratory Assistant COVID Response performs general laboratory and clerical procedures related to data entry, and the receipt, handling, accessioning, preparation and distribution of laboratory specimens.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience
" Grade 12 plus one year’s recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Skills and Abilities
" Ability to keyboard at 35 wpm.
" 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

1. Prepares specimens for testing in accordance with established procedures by performing duties such as centrifugation, aliquoting and loading samples onto specimen racks.
2. Verifies COVID-related specimen type according to established procedures, sorts and assigns laboratory numbers to specimens, in priority according to pre-defined criteria, and applies barcode labels according to established operating procedures.
3. Receives incoming specimens and requisitions and checks for accuracy and completeness of information such as personal health number, name, date of birth and COVID-related test required. Contacts physicians or labs for missing information and makes necessary corrections.
4. Processes test requisitions by entering patient data into computer systems, issues new patient identification number where required, obtains or clarifies missing information, corrects errors in patient demographic data and enters corrections into computer systems. Enters test requests into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
5. Responds to requests for test results, faxes same, as required.
6. Receives telephone/fax requests for information and directs requests according to established procedures.
7. Files and organizes records, such as requisitions, statistical information
8. Identifies and communicates operational issues and computer/equipment-related problems to supervisor.
9. Stores and retrieves COVID-related specimens under appropriate conditions, documents and ships samples to other laboratories and discards samples according to established procedures.
10. Prepares, records, and sends specimens and appropriate request forms to outside/referral laboratories and hospitals according to Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and other regulatory requirements.
11. Prepares test runs by pulling specimens for worksheet, matching specimens and requisitions and retrieving frozen samples for testing.
12. Orders and receives supplies.
13. Delivers samples and related documentation to and from in-house laboratory sections.
14. Maintains laboratory equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges and testing equipment as directed by performing duties such as cleaning, and temperature recording. Performs maintenance procedures according to established procedures. Recognizes malfunctions in equipment and reports these to the lead hand or designate.
15. Maintains daily cleaning and disinfection of work areas and equipment according to established schedule and procedure by performing duties such as: preparing fresh disinfectant solutions; wiping bench tops and equipment following established procedures; according to established weekly and monthly procedures. Performs waste management duties as per standard operating procedures.
16. Keeps workstations well stocked with supplies. Monitors supplies and advises lead hand or designate when supplies need replenishing and performs related duties such as receiving, recording and storing new shipments of supplies.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.