Specimen Processor

• An updated resume with all relevant work experience, education, training, certifications, and/or licenses.
• A copy of training diplomas or certificates.
• A copy of certifications or licenses.

• Job knowledge. Labels and processes patient specimens accurately and distributes to appropriate areas of laboratory. Processes laboratory samples according to procedure. Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed. Maintains specimen requirements at all times according to protocol. Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than 2 mislabeled specimen
• Quality Orientation: Prints appropriate labels for specimen labeling. Ensures all tests on requisitions are accounted for in the ordering system. If necessary, contacts physician's office to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens. Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than 3 occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).

• Ensures all tests are accounted for in the ordering system. If necessary, contacts physician's office or nurse to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens. Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than three occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).
• Supplies: Keeps area stocked with essential supplies. Keeps work area decontaminated with proper cleaning solutions and disposes of waste and trash in appropriate containers. Keeps work area well organized and free from clutter. Handles add-on requests according to established procedures.
• Adheres to Patient Safety Goals as defined by UTSW, TJC, CAP, and other regulatory/accreditation agencies.
• Utilizes the Risk Management and Process Improvement tools (Event Reports) in an accurate and timely way to identify issues concerning Quality Improvement and assists coworkers in this process as needed. Follows chain of command when reporting unsafe practices observed.
• Actively participates in the review of the monthly schedule and work assignments in conjunction with the Supervisor/Coordinator. Know daily tasks and be accountable for the daily workflow, including the status of the phlebotomy tracker, work flow assignments, and priority test requests. Also, acts as a liaison/problem solver for phlebotomy issues.
• Attendance Reports for work on the assigned days at the assigned times. Follows procedures regarding requesting and using leave in manner that consistently supports effective job performance.
• Provides training to other Specimen Processors as needed. Monitors pending lists, including but not limited to the unreceived specimen list. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Education

• Experience

• Able to lift up to 10 pounds
• Requires constant walking
• Work requires exercise of considerable judgment in application, evaluation, and implementation of new or revised procedures, techniques, and practices to work problems.
• Work requires internal contact with nurses, physicians, and allied health practitioner from other departments regarding specimen collection.

• Physical Demands

• Working Conditions

• P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.
• A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: In keeping with a professional healthcare environment, all employees are expected to have the ability to perform their jobs and to appear and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner.
• C-Communications and Compassion: It is our goal that all our communications are clear, courteous, timely, and delivered with compassion, respect and appropriate confidentiality.
• T-Teamwork: In our medical environment, our patients regard every employee they encounter as a member of the Southwestern Medical Center team. Our goal is to individually work hard to contribute to our team, support our co-workers, and to achieve not only excellent patient care and service, but also a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

UT Southwestern Medical Center