Lab Assistant​/Phlebotomist

Lab Assistant I

At Mercy One, health care is more than just a doctor's visit or a place to go when you need medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well. Mercy One Central Iowa sets the standard for personalized and radically convenient care in the Des Moines metro area and surrounding counties.

Mercy One Des Moines Medical Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and Iowa's largest medical center, with 802 beds available. The hospital is one of the Midwest's largest referral centers. With more than 7,000 colleagues and a medical staff of almost 1,500 physicians and allied health professionals, Mercy One Central Iowa is one of Iowa's largest employers.

Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, every 3rd weekend
• 4 am - 12:30 pm

The purpose of the Lab Assistant I position is to support a variety of laboratory departments by assisting technical staff in the collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of laboratory tests necessary for patient diagnosis and treatment. The role requires the skills needed to ensure specimens, patient information, and testing workflows are handled accurately and efficiently. By contributing to reliable test processes and smooth laboratory operations, this position helps maintain timely turnaround, data integrity, and compliance with quality and safety standards.

Essential Functions:

• Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the Trinity Health and Mercy One Mission, Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions.
• Accepts specimens and requisitions from internal and external customers and manages add-on orders and pending lists in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Identifies patients and specimens using two unique patient identifiers and accurately labels specimen containers to ensure correct identification.
• Registers and logs specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), evaluates specimen adequacy and acceptability, and scans required documentation into the patient record.
• Performs specimen processing such as proper identification, aliquoting, plate streaking, slide preparation, special handling, and required documentation in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Assists in resolving problematic patient specimens and test orders in collaboration with laboratory staff and clients.
• Follows safety, infection control, and chemical-handling procedures and supports efficient workflow practices that promote accurate testing, timely turnaround, and productivity expectations.
• Operates laboratory information systems proficiently to support accurate data entry and workflow management.
• Contributes to general laboratory operations by restocking supplies, participating in peer teaching, and engaging in department or hospital committees and projects as assigned.
• Other duties as needed and assigned by laboratory leadership.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, Trinity Health's Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other Trinity Health and Mercy One policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.

Additional Essential Functions – Dependent on Department Assignment:

• Performs venipunctures, finger sticks, and heel sticks appropriate to patient age (neonates through geriatric adults) and ensures proper specimen collection according to laboratory policy.
• May drive to patient service centers or care centers to perform phlebotomy services as needed.
• Performs limited testing under the supervision of technical staff.
• Performs instrument maintenance, quality…