Lab Assistant

Lab Assistant

Louisville, KY

Shift: Tuesday-Saturday 1am-9:30am

Summary: The Lab Assistant (Core Lab) supports Reference Lab operations by receiving, accessioning, labeling, and preparing biological specimens for testing while ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures, quality requirements, and safety protocols. This role is responsible for timely unpacking, verification, and routing of specimens to appropriate laboratory departments, accurate data entry into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and appropriate handling, storage, and/or shipment of specimens. The position maintains clean, organized work areas and completes required logs and documentation to support compliance and traceability. The role also supports inventory activities, secondary equipment operation, and other lab operations tasks as assigned, executing responsibilities with minimal to no oversight.

Job Duties:

Accessioning & Data Integrity

Understand and follow laboratory SOPs, quality control processes, and safety rules.

Receive and accession specimens and requisitions (integrated and/or manual) against company targets.

Perform accurate data entry and order verification in the LIMS.

Organize work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling; verify specimen identification and labeling accuracy.

Specimen Receiving, Triage, and Routing

Receive, unpack, and process biological specimens in a timely manner.

Route specimens by type to appropriate staging areas and transport samples to relevant departments with urgency.

Prepare specimens for testing across departments including (but not limited to) hematology, urinalysis, serology, chemistry, endocrinology, parasitology, cytology, and coagulation.

Centrifuge and stage specimens as required by workflow.

Specimen Handling, Storage, and Problem Resolution

Handle and store biological specimens in accordance with SOPs.

Prepare excess specimens for storage; organize and maintain specimen storage.

Resolve, document, and escalate problem specimens per SOP.

Equipment, Workspace, and Safety Compliance

Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory workspace and work surfaces.

Properly handle and dispose of medical and biohazardous waste in accordance with regulatory guidelines.

Participate in all required safety trainings; correctly use applicable safety equipment and PPE.

Operate and maintain secondary laboratory equipment including (but not limited to) centrifuges, pipettes, heating blocks, slide stainers.

Documentation, Logs, and Records

Consistently and properly complete laboratory logs (e.g., maintenance, environmental, cleaning) as required.

Maintain required records including (but not limited to) medical records, courier logs, and manifests.

Shipping, Supplies, and Inventory Support

Prepare specimens for shipment to offsite testing facilities in accordance with regulatory standards, including DOT requirements.

Receive, store, and log laboratory and office supplies in designated locations.

Monitor and organize lab supplies to maintain appropriate inventory levels.

Training and Continuous Support

Understand and complete training modules set forth by Zoetis Reference Laboratories.

Assist and facilitate training of Lab Assistant duties and responsibilities as requested.

Perform ad-hoc projects or tasks as assigned by management/supervisor.

Education/Experience:

Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent

1+ years in a clinical laboratory setting preferred

12 years of data entry experience preferred

Medical background or experience with laboratory testing terminology (or strong aptitude to learn terminology) preferred

Technical Skills Required:

Strong attention to detail; high accuracy in labeling and data entry

Excellent data entry and typing skills

Strong computer skills; ability to work within a Windows environment

Proficiency in Microsoft platforms (Teams, Outlook, Word, etc.)

Team-oriented with strong collaboration skills

Organizational and time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks/systems

Effective verbal and written communication, including listening skills

Ability to work productively and independently in a fast-paced environment with target productivity rates

Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision

Fluency in English

Physical Position Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, and crouch

Ability to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods

Ability to use tools such as boxcutters

Ability to wear PPE for extended periods of time

Flexible hours and overtime may be required