Lab Assistant I

Founded in 1910, Dignity Health - Mercy Hospital is a 229-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Bakersfield, California. Serving nearly 90,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including Level II NICU, cancer care, women’s health, and orthopedics. Additionally, Mercy Hospital Downtown & Mercy Hospital Southwest have been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. They are both Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Centers. Mercy Hospital Downtown offers the only inpatient Oncology Unit in Bakersfield while Mercy Hospital Southwest has the only Obstetric Emergency Department in Bakersfield.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Supervisor , the Laboratory Assistant is responsible for collecting, receiving and processing blood specimens; receiving and processing specimens for bacterial culture. Duties include: receiving and processing blood samples; centrifugation and loading barcoded specimens onto automated analyzers that are interfaced to the LIS; preparing aliquots and handling of reference lab specimens; performing waived and moderate complexity testing under direct supervision. Additional duties include clerical and telephone communication in support of the Laboratories functions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education level necessary to obtain required licensure and certifications
• CPT-1 Certification required and CPR (BLS - AHA)
• CA Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT-1) License

Special Skills:

• Basic laboratory bench practice skills
• Working knowledge of medical terminology
• General computer skills
• Must demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills
• Must have the ability to read, write, and speak English
• Ability to perform all phlebotomy functions including venous, capillary, and arterial punctures on adult, pediatric, and neonates populations
• Ability to adapt to work load demands and remain calm and function efficiently during difficult or emergency situations
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

Preferred Skills:

• One year of acute care hospital experience in phlebotomy, CPT-2 (ABG)
• CA Phlebotomy Technician II (CPT-2)

This position is represented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers.