Lab Assistant

Lab Assistant

SHIFT TIMES: Tuesday - Saturday 2:00 am 10:30 am

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

• Specimen receiving & accessioning
• Verify patient/specimen identifiers, labeling, and test orders
• Log/accession specimens in the LIS; route specimens appropriately
• Assess specimen acceptability and document issues per policy
• Specimen processing & preparation
• Aliquot, concentrate, and preserve specimens per SOP (as applicable)
• Prepare slides (wet mounts, stained smears as trained/authorized)
• Set up kits/reagents and prepare materials for technologists
• Testing support (within scope)
• Assist with non-waived testing steps only as permitted by training/licensure
• Perform waived/CLIA-waived tasks if authorized and competency-documented
• Communicate urgent workflow needs to the technologist/supervisor
• Quality & documentation
• Complete temperature logs (refrigerators/freezers/incubators as assigned)
• Maintain lot-to-lot, expiration checks, reagent labeling, and QC records as assigned
• Follow Good Documentation Practices and correct recordkeeping
• Equipment & area maintenance
• Clean/disinfected benches and shared equipment per schedule
• Perform basic maintenance checks (centrifuges, microscopes, hoodsper SOP)
• Report malfunctions; coordinate service requests as directed
• Inventory & supplies
• Stock and rotate supplies (FIFO), track par levels, and submit reorders
• Maintain collection kits/transport media and ensure proper storage conditions
• Safety, compliance, and waste
• Follow PPE and biosafety practices; manage biohazard/sharps disposal
• Support CAP/CLIA/OSHA readiness: organization, labeling, and audit support
• Participate in incident reporting (spills, exposures, nonconformances)
• Communication & customer support
• Coordinate with couriers/phlebotomy/clinics for specimen issues
• Answer basic status questions and route clinical questions appropriately
• Support training of new staff on workflow and safety basics

Common Qualifications (often expected)

• High school diploma/GED (associate degree preferred)
• Lab experience or medical lab assistant/phlebotomy background preferred
• Comfortable with PPE, biohazard handling, and detailed documentation

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