Lab Assistant

Overview

Join an award-winning team of dedicated professionals committed to our core values of quality, compassion and community! Paradise Valley Hospital, a member of Prime Healthcare, offers incredible opportunities to expand your horizons and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Paradise Valley Hospital is the South Bay’s oldest hospital, the second oldest hospital in all of San Diego County, and the largest employer in National City. For more than 100 years, Paradise Valley Hospital has served San Diego faithfully, proud of our heritage and providing numerous programs and services to meet the changing needs of our community. Our 291-bed, acute care hospital featuresthe San Diego Spine & Joint Center, a highly credentialed acute rehabilitation center, our Paradise Health & Senior Center, a fully equipped and modern cardiac catheterization lab, and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient surgical services, and 24-hour emergency services. In addition to our healthcare services, we offer comprehensive behavioral health services on the hospital campus and Bayview campus in Chula Vista. Services include psychiatric continuum of care for adult patients, inpatient services, and intensive outpatient services. Learn more at https://www.paradisevalleyhospital.net/.

Responsibilities

The Laboratory Assistant will follow the guidelines set by CLIA, and the California Business and Professions Code Sections 1212 and 1269. Unlicensed laboratory personnel (“aides”) are limited to pre-analytical and supportive functions only and may not read, record, result, verify, or interpret any laboratory test. They may not perform any test involving the quantitative measurement of specimens or reagents, conduct mathematical calculations related to test results, perform instrument calibration, or monitor or interpret quality control data used to assess test system performance. Unlicensed personnel shall not participate in any phase of testing that involves result generation, interpretation, verification, or reporting.

All duties must be performed under the direct and constant supervision of a physician and surgeon or a licensed laboratory professional, as defined by California regulations.

Unlicensed laboratory personnel may perform approved activities including specimen collection (patient preparation, labeling, handling, processing, preservation, transportation, and storage), assisting licensed personnel, preparing and storing reagents and culture media, assisting with preventive maintenance and troubleshooting (without calibration or performance verification), and supporting quality control procedures (without interpretation of results). Specimen collection involving venipuncture or skin puncture may only be performed if the individual holds appropriate California phlebotomy certification (e.g., CPT I or CPT II) or other qualifying license, as required by law.

This individual: 1) Performs computer entry, filing, telephone communication, and other clerical duties. 2) Demonstrates professional telephone etiquette and greets patients and visitors courteously. 3) Possesses effective verbal and written communication skills. 4) Demonstrates knowledge of laboratory test terminology. 5) Demonstrates knowledge of phlebotomy practices; performs venipuncture or skin puncture only if appropriately certified per California law. 6) Processes specimens across laboratory departments including pathology, microbiology, immunology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, and blood bank limited to pre-analytical activities (e.g., specimen handling and centrifugation only in immunohematology). 7) Prepares and processes specimens for reference laboratories. 8) Stocks and orders routine supplies. 9) Maintains cleanliness and organization of storage areas, equipment, centrifuges, and collection sites. 10) Processes and places specimens on laboratory instruments for automated analysis only, without performing test setup, calibration, validation, or result review. 11) With documented training, may assist with preventive maintenance and troubleshooting (excluding calibration and performance verification), assist in quality control procedures (without interpreting results), and perform permitted microbiology support tasks such as primary culture inoculation, slide staining, and subculturing. 12) Performs additional duties assigned by department leadership, including clerical support, communication tasks, specimen transport, and interdepartmental deliveries. 13) Assists Pathology with pre-analytical and clerical tasks only, including specimen receipt, accessioning, labeling, transport, and storage, under direct supervision and within regulatory limitations. 14) Functions as a runner to support laboratory workflow and specimen movement as needed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING

HS Diploma or equivalent required.

Active California Certified Phlebotomy Technician I or II license required for individuals performing phlebotomy.

Current BCLS (AHA) certificate upon hire and maintain current preferred.

BLS certification within forty-five days of hire and maintained current, according to hospital requirement.

Minimum of 1 year clinical laboratory experience performing similar job functions preferred.

Pay Transparency

Paradise Valley Hospital offers competitive compensation and a reasonable compensation estimate for this role is $23.00 to $26.97. The exact starting compensation to be offered will be determined at the time of selecting an applicant for hire, in which a wide range of factors will be considered, including but not limited to, skillset, years of applicable experience, education, credentials and licensure.

Employment Status

Per Diem

Shift

Variable

Equal Employment Opportunity

Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Company prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (subject to applicable law), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf

Privacy Notice

Privacy Notice for California Applicants: https://www.primehealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Notice-at-Collection-and-Privacy-Policy-for-California-Job-Applicants.pdf