Riverside Healthcare·Kankakee, Illinois
Perform blood collection procedures including venipuncture and capillary punctures while ensuring patient safety and comfort. Process and transport laboratory specimens according to protocols and maintain accurate records in the laboratory information system.
The Lab Assistant at Riverside Healthcare is responsible for performing blood collection procedures, including venipuncture and capillary punctures, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
This role also includes processing laboratory specimens, managing specimen logistics, and providing general support to the laboratory team.
The Lab Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate and timely laboratory results, contributing to high-quality patient care.
Position includes rotating weekend and holiday shifts.
Essential Duties Blood Collection: Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures on patients of all ages, ensuring proper identification, labeling, and handling of blood specimens.
Collect specimens by filling tubes to acceptable levels and utilizing correct order of draw.
Respond to specified codes and traumas for specimen collection.
Specimen Processing: Prepare, process, and transport laboratory specimens according to established protocols, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of samples.
Confirm special requirements for specimen acceptability before and/or after delivery to the laboratory.
Locate previously collected specimens for additional test requests when acceptable.
Prepare send out specimens for reference laboratories.
Patient Interaction: Provide excellent patient care by ensuring comfort and safety during the blood collection process, addressing patient concerns, and utilizing AIDET with every interaction.
Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention standards, and handling and disposal of biohazardous materials and chemicals.
Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
Data Entry: Accurately enter patient and specimen information into the laboratory information system (LIS), maintaining meticulous records of all collected samples.
Inventory Management: Monitor and restock phlebotomy and laboratory supplies, ensuring that all necessary materials are available and properly stored.
Work closely with the laboratory team to prioritize and coordinate specimen collection and processing, contributing to efficient laboratory operations. Notify supervisor of any unusual problems with specimens, patients, provider orders, etc.
Survey
Support: Assist with inspections including, but not limited to, CAP and DNV. Follow CAP requirements and assist in maintaining CAP compliance as directed by supervisor.
Administrative
Support: Assist with general administrative tasks within the laboratory, including filing, answering phones, sending/receiving faxes, and managing patient paperwork as needed.
Training
Support: Provide guidance and support to new phlebotomy staff or students, sharing knowledge of blood collection techniques and safety practices.
Process
Improvement: Participate in process improvement initiatives, offering suggestions to enhance workflow, patient care, and overall laboratory efficiency.
.5 to 1.0 FTE Paid Time Off programs Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs Educational Assistance Program
.001 to .49 FTE: Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work Employee Health Requirements Exposure to: Chemicals: Acids, bases, formalin Video Display Terminals: Average Blood and Body Fluids: Blood and body fluids handled continuously on a daily basis so exposure is very high TB or Airborne Pathogens: Very high potential due to direct patient contact and handling of infectious specimens Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch): Speech: Needed for communication with coworkers, providers, clinical staff, and all other customers whether direct or via phone.
Needed for computer operation, specimen collection, processing, and handling.
Electrical/fire safety.
Needed to listen to coworkers, customers and patients.
Usd $18.83 - Usd $23.00 /Hr
Requires a high school diploma and completion of a phlebotomy training program. Proficiency in blood collection techniques and strong interpersonal skills are essential, with phlebotomy certification preferred.
Market context
In Illinois, support-services roles like this are typically competitive because employers look for a mix of early-career experience, an associate’s degree or equivalent training, and active imaging credentials. For this position, licensure and certification details matter, including ARRT status, an IEMA license, and CT certification within 13 months of hire. This platform AI-summarizes requirements and benefits from the original job description, saving you research time; before applying, verify your credentials and timeline against the posting.