Pathology Assistant jobs in Bellingham, WA

JOB SUMMARY

Receives and processes a variety of specimen samples in a timely and efficient manner outlined by company policies and procedures. Collaborates with team to maintain workflow and effectively troubleshoot, train lab assistants, and communicate with clients as needed.

 Northwest operates on a 24/7/365 basis; therefore, individuals may be required to work various shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays depending upon business needs.  Schedule flexibility with and without advanced notice is required.

 ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Receives and distributes specimens to respective departments.
• Open and unpack specimens safely ensuring proper paperwork and specimen requirements are met.
• Triage specimens and/or specimen issues in an accurate and timely manner.
• Performs order entry of specimens into LIS (or other corollary databases).
• Accurately enters data, prints labels, and maps specimens for processing.
• Ability to troubleshoot specimen issues and handle each appropriately.
• Provide professional and timely communication with clients and patients by phone and/or email.
• Assist the lab supervisors in providing efficient productive workflow while on shift.
• Exhibits a complete understanding of policies and procedures in various areas of the lab.
• Based upon business needs and workflows, cross-trains and performs duties in other areas of the lab as directed. 
• Effectively provides job-related training to team members within the molecular lab area.  Serve as team member resource to answer questions/problem-solve, and provide support and guidance in order to ensure individuals are able to complete tasks accurately, efficiently, and timely.
• Assist others in completing tasks and work assignments.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, cleanliness, safety, and infection control procedures.
• Maintain inventory and supply levels for respective departments.
• Maintains clear communication between shifts concerning tasks or notifications as needed.
• Attends and productively engages in designated team and/or department meetings, which may or may not occur outside of scheduled shifts.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of company and position.
• Performs courier duties as needed.

 EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSE 

• A High School Diploma or equivalent is required; a college degree is a plus.
• Successful completion of all Molecular Lab - Laboratory Assistant 1 training and competencies required.
• Active and valid US State-Issued Driver’s License Driver’s License with acceptable motor vehicle record as defined and approved by NWP-NWL vehicle insurance carrier. 

 EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 1 year of experience required:
  1. High demand, fast-paced, exceptional customer/patient service environment.
  2. Proficiency with computers and strong, accurate data entry/typing skills

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Exhibits patience and approachability, sets positive tone and example for team behavior, work ethic & quality, abilities, skills and overall performance.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels; acts with high integrity.
• Understands urgency in customer/patient relationships and is able to prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing outstanding customer/patient service, including exceeding quality standards for services and problem-solving.
• Ability to quickly and accurately recognize, read, and process a series of numbers.
• Establishes and maintains solid interpersonal relationships with team members across all levels of an organization. 
• Demonstrates and facilitates professional communication skills; must be able to understand, listen, write, and speak fluently, professionally, and, effectively in the English language. 
• Motivated, responsible, and organized self-starter who excels at time management, timely follow-up, meeting commitments, and, possesses a passion for continuous learning and improvement. 
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Pro-active ability to identify, assess, improve/refine, and solve complex challenges, processes, and/or situations.
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively within a team as well as independently with minimal supervision. 
• Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth, team-based environment while successfully handling competing and ever-changing priorities and responsibilities with frequent interruptions. 
• Solid track record of taking responsibility and holding one’s self-accountable for high-quality task deliverables within established deadlines. 
• Ability to effectively receive and engage in performance feedback/constructive criticism. 
• Effective facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities. 
• Exhibit personal presentation in a professional manner as it relates to appearance, attitude/behavior, communication and actions. 
• Proficient software/computer skills utilizing various applications which include, but are not limited, to the following:  MS Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, health care database/systems, etc.
• Regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Focused on overall NWP team success vs. solely on individual success. 

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• We share a collaborative obligation to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the utmost ethical manner and that we hold each other accountable to the values and standards of the organization. Every employee has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, and report concerns and/or violations of company policy or ethical standards. 
• The organization has several processes in place to communicate with leadership and expects that employees will commit to integrity and uncompromising values.
• This position works in a demanding, fast-paced lab environment with the need to meet daily workload requirements.  Incumbents may be exposed to infectious disease specimens, including COVID-19 and chemicals which require the use of personal protection equipment and universal precautions.
• This role routinely uses lab instruments/equipment as well as office equipment such as computers/keyboards/mice, printers, phones, mobile devices, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, etc. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud. 

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to hear and respond to alarms and buzzers.
• Exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; grasp and/or reach with hands and arms; repetitive movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close visual acuity and the ability to adjust focus to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; reading reports, various forms of charts or records, transcribing; viewing computer monitor(s); extensive reading; and legally operate a motor vehicle.

 The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties and/or work various shifts as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.   Furthermore, they do not establish an employment contract and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.