Lab Assistant I

Quest Diagnostics•Chantilly, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Entry level role; Performs various routine laboratory functions in a precise and accurate fashion to assist the laboratory professional staff and to facilitate production.

Requirements

High School Graduate or equivalent required.
Previous laboratory experience and/or training preferred
The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects: Objects 1 to 10 pounds are lifted and carried frequently; objects 11 to 25 pounds are lifted and carried occasionally; objects 36 to 50 pounds are seldom lifted or carried and objects over 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
Ability to stand and work at the bench for long periods of time.
Frequent walking and/or standing.
May be required to use a wide variety of manual and automated pipettes and laboratory instruments and apparatuses all of which demand significant manual dexterity.
Extreme willingness to work in a cooperative manner.
Required to handle biological samples and potentially hazardous chemicals.
Must demonstrate the ability to follow a series of steps without confusion or errors on an ongoing basis and retain the information once learned.
Must be detail-oriented, able to work independently, establish work priorities and handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum department efficiency.
Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and clients.
Ability to deal with client information in a confidential manner.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and, Outlook) and Laboratory Information Systems.

Responsibilities

Organizes specimens and reagents prior to the day technologists’ arrival.
Identifies missing specimens to Specimen Processing.
Stores and prepares order for reagent and materials delivered by the warehouse.
Responsible for informing supervisory personnel of suspected problems.
Perform specimen receiving, labeling, handling and preparation.
Assist with pre-analytical preparation of specimens (e.g., printing labels, uncap/cap specimen tubes, aliquot specimens, prepare racks, worklists, enter/scan specimens).
Record digital temperature; notify license-qualified personnel if the temperature is out of range.
Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment, under direct and constant supervision. Activity must be signed-off by license-qualified personnel.
Assist in preparation of chemicals, reagents and solutions that do not require quantitative measurement.
Clean, organize and maintain work area, glassware and laboratory equipment (e.g., refrigerators, freezers and supply cabinets, as needed).
Assist with monitoring the department pending and overdue lists, which includes, searching, locating, following up and filing appropriate documentation.
Perform other departmental tasks such as filing, archiving and retrieving slides/blocks, reports, requisitions/other paperwork and answering the telephone.
Dispose of biohazardous material.
Perform QA/QC duties as assigned.
Complete training and competency checklists as appropriate.
Comply with all health and safety policies, procedures and practices.
Required to use personal protective equipment.
Other duties as assigned.
This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, but rather a general description of work performed by the position.

Benefits

Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours
Best-in-class well-being programs
Annual, no-cost health assessment program
Blueprint for Wellness® healthyMINDS mental health program
Vacation and Health/Flex Time
6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
FinFit financial coaching and services
401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
Employee stock purchase plan
Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
Flexible Spending Accounts
Annual incentive plans
Matching gifts program
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
Career advancement opportunities