Lab Referrals Specialists - PRN na OU Health

General Description: The Referrals Specialist PRN is an entry level position that sends out specimens to approved Reference Laboratories. Handles internal and external customer contact regarding Referral Testing. Receive, resolve, and follow-up with complex referral issues. Act as a liaison between providers and Referral vendors. 

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position.  Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position. 

• Retrieve, sort, process, and coordinate specimens and requisitions for shipment, or courier, pick-up to referral laboratories in compliance with IATA regulations. 

• Ensure sample quality and accuracy. Identify problems with specimen types, missing information, incorrect temperature, freeze/thaw cycles, quantity not sufficient, etc., prior to send out.  

• Handle provider and customer inquiries regarding reporting of results, service failures and other quality issues to provide customer satisfaction. 

• Contact providers or care team to resolve routine or medical technical matters related to patient testing and result reporting using established protocols. 

• Communicate all tests not performed and lab accidents to clients within 24 hours of notification. Document thoroughly and elevate issues of concern to supervisor. 

• Monitor assigned work queues, such as the Outstanding list and the Miscellaneous list. 

• Assist in resolving billing issues for reference laboratory testing. 

• Resolve interface resulting issues and upload results for non-interfaced laboratories in a timely manner in accordance with established protocols. 

• Issue corrected reports as necessary in accordance with defined guidelines. 

• Identify and escalate reportable quality incidents to supervisor and document in RL Datix. 

• Troubleshoot referral issues and notify supervisor of potential problems. 

• Participate in special projects regarding Referral Testing as directed by Manager or Supervisor. 

• Maintain work area in a safe, functional, and sanitary condition. 

• Adhere to all established CLIA, CAP, HIPAA, OSHA, OUH, and laboratory safety requirements. 

• Required to use personnel protective equipment, engineering controls, and/or work practice controls as directed by management. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT)

Experience: 0-3 years of specimen processing experience or clinical laboratory experience required.  Customer service experience preferred. 

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: None Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic understanding of the operations of Client Services and Specimen Processing 

• Basic medical terminology applicable to clinical laboratory.  

• Must be detail-oriented, have the ability to work independently, establish work priorities, adapt to quick changes, and handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum department efficiency.  

• Demonstrate strong independent problem-solving skills to be able to handle complex and challenging issues. 

• Interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and clients.  

• Communication skills necessary to handle telephone inquiries from clients and vendors.  

• Ability to deal with patient and client information in a confidential manner.  

• Good data entry skills required. 

• Knowledge of Category A and Category B Shipping Requirements preferred. 

• Experience with utilizing a Biological Safety Cabinet preferred. 

• Thorough understanding of Referral Testing preferred. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Laboratory Information Systems preferred. 

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