Performs receptionist, clerical, and specimen processing duties in the Microbiology section of the Clinical Laboratory. Receptionist duties include answering phones and interacting with couriers and other medical personnel during specimen drop off. Clerical duties include input of patient and specimen information into the laboratory computer for the accurate processing of specimens. Specimen processing duties include preparation and staining of slide preparations for microscopic examination, and making primary inoculations of specimens onto appropriate culture media. In addition, the employee provides laboratory maintenance support through cleaning of equipment, operation of autoclave, washing glassware, and unpacking/stocking of laboratory supplies. Other duties performed under the supervision of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) include processing stool specimens for ova and parasite examination using formalin/ethyl-acetate concentration technique, processing specimens for acid-fast bacilli using digestion-decontamination procedures, loading specimens on instruments, and performing instrument preventative maintenance, and maintaining necessary level of supplies and/or reagents and assisting supervisors with maintaining an updated version of procedures.

In accordance with California Business and Professions Code Section 1269 unlicensed persons in the UCSF Clinical Laboratories shall adhere to the following:

Unlicensed personnel in the UCSF Clinical laboratories may perform the following functions

1. Biological specimen collection (except phlebotomy unless certified to do so), including patient preparation, labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, processing or preparation, and transportation and storage of specimens.
2. Assisting a licensed physician and surgeon or CLS in a licensed clinical laboratory.
3. Assisting in preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.
4. Preparation and storage of reagents and culture media.
5. Assisting in the performance of quality control procedures.
6. In the case of qualitative and semi-quantitative "spot, tablet, or stick" tests, the personnel may add the test reagent to the specimen or vice versa, but may not read or record the results.
7. In the case of microbiological tests, the unlicensed laboratory personnel may make primary inoculations of test material onto appropriate culture media, stain slide preparations for microscopic examination, and subculture from liquid media.

Unlicensed UCSF Clinical Laboratory personnel shall NOT do any of the following

1. Record test results, but he or she may transcribe results that have been previously recorded, either manually by a physician and surgeon or personnel licensed under this chapter, or automatically by a testing instrument.
2. Perform any test or part thereof that involves the quantitative measurement of the specimen or test reagent, or any mathematical calculation relative to determining the results or the validity of a test procedure.
3. Perform any phase of clinical laboratory tests or examinations in the specialty of immunohematology beyond initial collection and centrifugation.
4. Standardizing or calibrating an instrument or assessing its performance by monitoring results of appropriate standards and control.
5. Reading or recording test results, except that the personnel may transcribe results that have been previously recorded automatically by a testing instrument.
6. Quantitatively measuring any sample or reagents unless done automatically by the instrument in the course of its normal operation or by the use of previously calibrated and approved automatic syringes or other dispensers.

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations
• Graduation from college with coursework in biological sciences, or two years of college with some coursework in natural, physical, or social sciences or equivalent combination of education and experience
• One to two years of experience working in a clinical microbiology laboratory, or equivalent college level microbiology laboratory coursework
• Demonstrated knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with physicians, requesting departments, and other staff including ability to clearly explain complex medical information in both verbal and written form
• Ability to work well under pressure

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous knowledge of and experience in a clinical lab setting, and medical terminology
• Phlebotomy license
• Understanding of basic microbiology and sterile techniques
• Recent microbiology experience in a high volume laboratory
• Familiarity with PC; Windows