Laboratory Aide

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 20
• Standard Work Schedule: Sat, Sun, Mon
• Building:
• Salary Range: $22,500-$25,000

Position Summary

The Laboratory Aide will serve as a key team member of the Fertility Center’s Laboratory. In this role, the Laboratory Aide can expect to build their clinical laboratory skillset through training in non-licensed andrology tasks and learn about the functioning of a clinical fertility laboratory. Key responsibilities will include patient intake, specimen management, organizing and cleaning the lab, data entry, daily quality control, and inventory management. The Laboratory Aide will collaborate closely with other clinical laboratory employees to deliver an exceptional patient experience and positive patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Train under direct supervision to perform non-licensed clinical laboratory tasks, including the following:
  • Assisting with set-up tasks to prepare for procedures, such as assisting with labeling plasticware.
  • Receiving patient specimens produced offsite and preparing specimens for Processing.
  • Providing patients instructions for onsite male specimen production and answering patient questions as appropriate.
  • Initiating specimen chain of custody, documentation, and witness procedures.
  • Assist with sample intake from tissue transports.
  • Follows aseptic technique whenever handling or preparing samples.
• Contribute to the accurate documentation of patient and procedure data: assisting the lab coordinators in the preparation of patient charts, sample labels, and other patient data collection.
• Assist with entering procedure data into the electronic medical records (EMR) maintaining accuracy in laboratory results.
• Maintain the lab through daily cleaning, clerical support, and inventory management such as delivering, unpacking, restocking, rotating, and organizing supplies, to ensure that the overall condition of the laboratory and collection rooms are clean and safe according to regulatory and department standards. Notify management when supplies are low and need restocking and escalate any issues as appropriate.
• Assist with laboratory maintenance tasks such as equipment maintenance, sterilization, quality assurance, quality control, and safety procedures.
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, and annual quality control.
• Apply safety protocols, including hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment.
• Greet and interact with patients, visitors, vendors, and all faculty and staff in a courteous, helpful, professional, and ethical manner.
• Will cross-train in Endocrinology, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned within the professional scope of practice/training/education.

Regulatory Readiness

• Participate in a team culture of learning and continuous improvement. Contribute ideas for improving laboratory workflows to team members and management.
• Take initiative to resolve patient safety and patient experience concerns within the scope of practice/training/education.
• Contribute to preparation for inspections by providing administrative and operational support to laboratory management and colleagues, as needed.
• Maintain a safe and secure work environment by following all CLIA, NYSDOH, OSHA, EH&S, and public safety policies and guidelines.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements at all times.
• Keep current on all organizational, department, and patient privacy policies (e.g., infection control, HIPAA) and required trainings.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

Minimum Requirements

• High School diploma with six months of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 year relevant experience in a laboratory or healthcare setting (paid or unpaid).
• Strong detail-orientation and organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to prioritize, multitask, and work independently with consistent follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a service orientation. Ability to interact positively and constructively with patients, visitors, providers, and colleagues, demonstrating tact, empathy, and respect. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Team orientation, demonstrating collaboration, inclusion, reliability, punctuality, and adaptability to new and changing situations.
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups constructively and respectfully while appreciating the unique contributions of an inclusive workforce that brings together the talents of people across multiple identities.
• Strong commitment to fostering diversity and equity.
• Basic proficiency in computer skills including, but not limited to, Electronic Health Systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, email systems, etc.
• Must be a motivated individual with a positive mindset and exceptional work ethic.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences.
• Some laboratory experience.
• Fertility experience is a plus.
• Experience with electronic medical records is a plus.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is dedicated to the goal of building a multicultural faculty and staff committed to teaching, working, and serving in a diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from candidates of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

We are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance the diversity of our workplace and the effectiveness of our organization.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.