Specimen Processing Specialist in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University

Specimen Processing Specialist

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-40838
Position Category: Laboratory
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Position Type: Regular Part-Time
Posting Department: Pathology Lab Services
Posting Salary Range: $25.38 - $34.35 per hour with offer based on experience, education and internal equity
Posting FTE: 0.60
Posting Schedule: Wednesday - Friday
Posting Hours: 10:00am - 6:30pm
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes

Department Overview

OHSU is Oregon’s only public academic health center. We are a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington. We are an institution of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon. We are a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing lifesaving therapies and deeper understanding. We are a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer. And as a public organization, we provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

The purpose of this position is to provide technical support for patient care activities in the laboratory by

performing data entry, billing, client services, sample processing, resulting, filing, and laboratory procedures. The major duty is to prepare patient specimens for laboratory testing, which includes determining specimen acceptability, answering telephone inquires, and multi-tasking while working quickly and accurately. The person filling this position will be of professional demeanor and perform their duties with an attitude which will best serve the clients of the department, OHSU, and outside the organization.

Function/Duties of Position

Specimen receipt and processing

• Loads specimens onto automation line for processing.
• Centrifuges samples and transfers to appropriately labeled containers.
• Accurately measures specimens, records volumes, and determines if sample quality and quantity is sufficient for testing.
• Directs samples to technologists and testing areas either manually or using the automation lines, or stores samples for future testing.
• Makes slides for staining.
• Notifies technologists or appropriate lab when priority work is received.
• Determines acceptability of specimens received and calls ward or physician to clarify orders or advise of unacceptable samples.

Performs data entry for samples received for testing

• 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.

Coordinates and prepares samples to be shipped to outside labs for patient care and drug study testing

• Enters test requests into dedicated referral lab computer.
• Fills out paperwork carefully and thoroughly to ensure accurate testing.
• Packs infectious shipping samples per IATA standards.
• Utilizes electronic systems provided by referral labs to transmit orders

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma and at least two years of college lab science courses, plus one year of college math or computer courses OR

• High school diploma and two years of clinical lab experience OR

• High school diploma and successful completion of a Lab Assistant Training program including clinical lab experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two years in a clinical laboratory including sample receipt, sample processing, customer service, multi-line phone use.
• Training or experience demonstrating proficiency with healthcare/lab information systems.

Additional Details

Positions in the laboratory and environments 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.