Specimen Processing Specialist 2 at Oregon Health & Science University – Portland, Oregon

Specimen Processing Specialist 2

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-38566
Position Category: Laboratory
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Pathology Lab Services
Posting Salary Range: $26.90 - $36.35 per hour with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Monday-Friday
Posting Hours: 1:00pm-9:30pm
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes

Department Overview

The major duties of specimen processing consist of receiving, identifying, assigning accession numbers,

sorting, preparation and internal laboratory distributing of blood, urine, and other biological specimens. The

secondary role of this position is to provide technical support for patient care areas, laboratory technical staff,

and other specimen processors. This position will also answer telephone calls concerning patient values,

normal values, specimen requirements, procedures, time required for tests, and preparation of specimens to

outside labs for analysis. The person filling this position will be of professional demeanor and perform the

duties with an attitude which will best serve the clients of the department, OHSU, and outside the organization.

This is the second of a two-level series. It is distinguished from the lower level by the variety of technical and

administrative work and training duties.

Function/Duties of Position

Specimen receipt and processing

• Loads specimens onto automation line for processing
• Centrifuges samples and transfers to appropriately labeled containers
• Initiate calls to health care providers to clarify orders, referring physicians, requesting location or patient history.
• Accurately measures specimens, records volumes, and determines if sample quality and quantity sufficient for testing.
• Directs samples to technologists and testing areas either manually or using the automation lines, or stores samples for future testing. Notifies technologists or appropriate lab when priority work is received
• Determines acceptability of specimens received and calls ward of physician to clarify orders or advise of unacceptable samples.
• Provide backup for telephone coverage, assistance with test ordering
• Checks accuracy of specimens, requisitions, labels
• Performs computer entry in Epic HIS system
• Handles and processes samples for many labs on and off campus
• Accurately labels samples, requisitions, and appropriate specimen containers
• Is responsible to see that all samples are logged in to the lab and triaged in a timely manner

Trains new employees

• Provides on the job training orientation, guidance and coaching for new specimen processing specialists.
• Is expected to share expertise with less experienced staff.
• May be asked to perform in a shift lead capacity.

Performs client services duties

• Tracks missing specimens and resolves discrepancies quickly and professionally
• Answers multi-line telephone, and provides a pleasant and professional telephone manner as frontline representative of the laboratory
• Assists needs of callers in all aspects of laboratory operations
• Transfers or refers calls or confers with other areas of lab or hospital as needed

Other duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma and at least four years of college lab science courses, plus one year of college math or computer courses OR
• High school diploma and four years of clinical lab experience OR
• High school diploma and successful completion of a Lab Assistant Training program including two years clinical lab experience.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques;
• Knowledge of laboratory terminology, equipment, and materials;
• Knowledge of basic math;
• Ability to follow formulas accurately.
• Ability to handle, package, and store laboratory specimens and materials;
• Ability to operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment;
• Ability to learn routine testing methods, procedures, and techniques;
• Ability to keep accurate records in conformance with laboratory procedures; and
• Ability to follow written and verbal procedures (instructions).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years in a clinical laboratory including sample receipt, sample processing, customer service, multi-line phone use.
• Completed course in medical terminology
• Completed course in anatomy and physiology
• Training or experience demonstrating proficiency with healthcare/lab information systems.
• Experience using Epic Systems.

Additional Details

Positions in the laboratory and environs may require working flexible schedules including nights weekends

and holidays; working at multiple laboratory or hospital sites; traveling between laboratories and sites by

stairs, elevator, tram, shuttle or other means; exposure to blood and body fluids, chemical hazards, radiation.

working in a somewhat noisy and crowded environment; wearing gloves and other Personal Protective

Equipment for long periods of time; experiencing occasional temperature fluctuations in building.

Benefits:

• Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
  
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
  
• Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
  
• Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
  
• 8 paid holidays per year
  
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
  
• Additional Programs including Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)