Medical Laboratory Assistant in Cahokia Heights, Illinois at TOUCHETTE

About Company:

The best care starts close to home - and extends to every corner of our community. Inside the walls of Touchette Regional Hospital is a team of providers, nurses and staff members whose passion for high-quality healthcare is as great as the pride we feel for our region.

We offer compassion in all areas of care, including Behavioral Health & Wellness, Emergency, and Physical Therapy, while never losing sight of the personal care and small-town warmth our neighbors have come to know us by.

At Touchette, every patient who walks through our doors is treated like a member of the family because that’s who you are!

About the Role:

The Medical Laboratory Assistant plays a critical role in supporting clinical laboratory operations by preparing and processing specimens for analysis. This position ensures the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results by maintaining laboratory equipment, preparing media and reagents, and assisting with various laboratory tests including microbiology, hematology, and toxicology. The assistant collaborates closely with medical technologists and laboratory scientists to facilitate efficient workflow and uphold quality control standards. Attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols are essential to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety. Ultimately, the role contributes to timely and precise diagnostic information that supports patient care and treatment decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate or relevant vocational training program.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control procedures.
• Experience with specimen processing and laboratory equipment handling.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and maintain accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with hematology, microbiology, histology, and toxicology laboratory techniques.
• Certification from a recognized professional body such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent.
• Proficiency in blood drawing and phlebotomy.
• Strong computer skills for laboratory information system (LIS) data entry.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and maintain laboratory equipment and instruments to ensure proper functioning and calibration.
• Perform specimen processing including labeling, sorting, and preparing samples for testing in microbiology, hematology, histology, and toxicology.
• Prepare culture media and reagents according to standardized protocols to support laboratory testing.
• Assist with blood drawing and specimen collection following established safety and infection control procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory activities, inventory, and quality control documentation.
• Support laboratory staff by ensuring a clean and organized work environment and disposing of biohazardous materials safely.
• Follow all regulatory and safety guidelines to maintain compliance with laboratory standards.

Skills:

The required skills such as laboratory equipment handling, microbiology, media and reagent preparation, and specimen processing are essential for daily laboratory operations, ensuring that samples are accurately prepared and tested. Knowledge of histology, hematology, and toxicology allows the assistant to support a wide range of diagnostic tests, contributing to comprehensive patient care. Blood drawing skills enable the assistant to collect specimens safely and efficiently, minimizing patient discomfort and ensuring sample integrity. Preferred skills like certification and experience with laboratory information systems enhance the assistant's ability to maintain precise records and comply with regulatory standards. Together, these skills enable the Medical Laboratory Assistant to function effectively within a multidisciplinary team, maintaining high standards of quality and safety.