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Duties &
Responsibilities:
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Job Summary
The Laboratory Office Clerk will perform the various office tasks required with receiving, processing, reporting, and delivering laboratory test results and other lab reports as they are completed in the department and/or received from reference laboratories. Upon receiving written or verbal orders for physicians or their designees, the Lab Clerk will help coordinate efficient and timely patient specimen collection by Phlebotomists. All testing orders are directed to the phlebotomy team in order of priority. The Lab Office Clerk will field questions from various sources regarding information about the Laboratory and lab test requirements or specifics and test results. The Lab Office Clerk will prepare charges for billing.
Duties
- Accurately and efficiently processes anatomical and clinical lab test reports and distributes for routing to various locations
- Receives phone orders for lab tests from physicians, nurses, unit clerks, and convalescent homes
- As phone orders from lab tests are received they are prioritized according to need (STAT, ASAP, routing) and efficiently routed to the phlebotomy team or outpatient registration clerks
- Follows all laboratory safety rules and reports any possible hazards to the Lab Office Supervisor and/or Lab Manager
- Files and/or retrieves lab copies of patient test reports in cabinet files and/or in computer
- Phones results of patient tests to physicians, nurses, or unit clerks as required or requested by Lab Office Supervisor or Lab Technologist as urgency dictates
- Keeps the Lab Office Supervisor informed about malfunctioning of any office equipment
- Verifies inventories and prepares orders for certain lab supplies as directed by the Lab Office Supervisor
- Delivers laboratory and radiology reports to physician’s offices at least twice daily
- Picks up laboratory specimens at physician’s offices at least twice daily
- Is capable of handling numerous telephone calls simultaneously which includes reports and requests with regard to the following:
- Receipt and dispatch of orders for specimen collection for testing
- Requests for patient reports/test results
- Status of in-house tests
- Status of references tests
- “Turnaround time” for tests
- Verification of patient test orders
- Status of blood bank transfusion services patient blood products
- Laboratory specimen requirements
- Copies of patient lab reports
- Telephoned reports from reference lab
- Scheduling of special procedures (Bone Marrows, Biopsies, and Frozen Sections)
- Arrangements for courier services and transportation for special patient tests samples to specialized reference labs
- Laboratory test prices and/or availability
- Arranges for in-house report delivery
- Recalls patients for re-draw when recollection of specimen is necessary
- Familiarity with sources of information about Laboratory testing procedures/policies for the various areas within the Lab (Surgical Pathology, Histology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Blood bank, Coagulation, Urinalysis)
- Prepares and mails lab reports to out-of-town physicians
- Maintains current address files for physicians, hospitals, health care institutions, and labs, etc
- Updates cancer case log and routes reports to Medical Records Department
- Retrieves pathology data and delivers pathologist’s dictation tapes and surgical pathology requisition to medical Transcriptionist
- Copies all patient reports showing abnormal creatinine results and routes to Pharmacy
- Routes pertinent microbiology and serology reports to Infection Control Nurse, (i.e.) patients/hospital staff or quality assurance studies positive for bacterial culture, hepatitis, and clostridium difficile toxin
- Is familiar with the billing processes with regard to the following:
- Obtains proper pricing and codes charges for lab tests
- Prepares charge badges for posting
- Arranges for charge credits on patient accounts when necessary
- Financial classes and method of billing
- Performs with s minimum of errors – works neatly and with accuracy regardless of volume of work
- Responsible for maintenance and is capable of operating the various equipment in the Lab office, including but not limited to the following:
- Photocopy machine
- Fax machine
- Telephone system
- Reference lab computer EDS with modem
- Typewriter/computer Word Processor
- Types Laboratory requisitions when required
- Assists Phlebotomist when necessary, i.e. holding children for blood draws, checking specimen requirements, distribution of incoming patient samples and test requisitions to various areas in the Lab as requested
- Accuracy and efficiency with which all assignments are completed
- Shows willingness to assist other Laboratory personnel when requested
- Shows willingness to assist other Laboratory personnel as workload permits without being requested to do so
- Encourages other Lab personnel towards professional growth and development by sharing information
- Keeps current with changes in Laboratory procedures
- Daily assignments are completed within 8 hour shift
- Organizes work for effective utilization of time
- Able to determine priorities when organizing daily assignments
- Daily workload indicates good use of time
- Seeks assistance when necessary from Lab Office Supervisor or Lab Manager
- Makes pertinent observations in regard to department needs and offers suggestions
- Shows ability to handle unexpected situations and is able to exercise independent thought and action when necessary
- Shows ability to work on own without being told specific things to do
- Is aware of need for cost containment
- Utilizes supplies in non-wasteful manner
- Observes confidentiality both with patient information and co-workers
- Maintains good interpersonal relationships with co-workers and with people in general
- Promotes an environment in which the Laboratory staff can work together cooperatively toward objectives
- Capable of performing a variety of tasks within the scope of job duties
- Accepts accountability for actions
- Assumes responsibility for own behavior
- Able to recognize the importance of hospital policy
- Accepts and follows hospital policy
- Can be counted on to carry out instructions and fulfill job responsibilities
- Can be counted on to report to work as scheduled
- Accepts responsibility for and becomes available for overtime when workload requires
- Accepts responsibility for and becomes available to work a different shift when workload or conditions warrant it
- Performs other duties as assigned
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