Laboratory Support Technician

Do you want to become a life changer? We invite you to consider joining our UPMC Hamot Lab team as a Laboratory Support Technician! In this full-time role that serves our evening shift with rotating weekends and holidays, there is an opportunity to partner with a multidisciplinary team to support analytic activities that are critical to specimen analysis and providing supreme patient care.

Common Activities in Role:

• Client Communication: Respond to telephone inquiries, provide status updates on specimen analysis, and guide callers to additional resources as necessary.

• Specimen Handling: Manage the reception, organization, preparation, and distribution of specimens to designated laboratory areas, ensuring they are ready for analysis.

• Specimen Preparation: At designated workstations, prepare specimens for analysis, which includes creating worklists, verifying specimen integrity, aliquoting, and loading/unloading onto instruments.

• Microscopic and Microbiological Tasks: Produce microscopic slides and inoculate specimens into microbiological media as required.

• Customer Service Excellence: Uphold a service-oriented demeanor, characterized by courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a consistently positive attitude.

• Instrument Maintenance: Conduct routine and straightforward maintenance of laboratory instruments following specific protocols and document temperature readings when required.

• Inventory Management: Assist in restocking laboratory supplies to maintain adequate levels and organize storage areas for supplies at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen conditions.

• Reagent Preparation: Prepare and restock reagents and consumables for laboratory instruments as needed.

• Quality Assurance: Execute assigned quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures to maintain laboratory standards.

• Specimen Management: Facilitate the storage and retrieval of specimens and slides.

• Workflow Monitoring: Review pending work lists, address any outstanding tasks, and ensure all work is processed.

• Environmental Safety: Maintain a clean and orderly work environment, decontaminate areas as required, and manage laboratory glassware cleanliness, including residue testing.

• Safety Equipment Maintenance: Perform regular testing and cleaning of emergency eyewashes and showers.

• Waste Management: Sort and dispose of laboratory waste according to established safety protocols.

• Logistical Support: Transport specimens and deliver supplies off-site as needed.

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 an MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or equivalent training program, with 3yrs college credits

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

Required

• Valid driver's license if one is departmentally required.

• Act 34

Preferred

• Medical Laboratory Assistant MLA (ASCP) or equivalent certification

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran