Lab Assistant II

Quest Diagnostics•Chantilly, VA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Assistant II performs routine laboratory functions accurately and precisely to support laboratory professionals and facilitate production in the Spec Chem - LCMSMS - Clinical Laboratory in Chantilly, Virginia. The schedule is Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM. The role supports specimen receiving and preparation, laboratory upkeep, quality activities, and administrative tasks under appropriate supervision. The listed pay range is $17.20–$24.36 per hour. Employees may be eligible for shift differentials of 10% for some or all second-shift hours and 15% for some or all third-shift hours. Candidates may also be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and one year of full-time experience in a technical or clinical laboratory department. The work involves periods of standing at the bench, frequent walking or standing, lifting and carrying objects of varying weights, and manual dexterity when using pipettes and laboratory instruments. The employee must follow health and safety practices, use personal protective equipment, and handle client information confidentially.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
One year of full-time experience in a technical or clinical laboratory department.
Competence in addressing department pending lists and locating missing specimens.
Ability to follow sequences of steps accurately and consistently and retain information once learned.
Ability to establish work priorities and manage several tasks simultaneously.
Detail-oriented, able to work independently, and able to handle multiple tasks for workstation and department efficiency.
Courtesy and respect when interacting with coworkers and internal and external customers.
Communication and interpersonal skills to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and clients.
Ability to handle client information confidentially.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, and in Laboratory Information Systems.
Ability to stand and work at a bench for long periods and walk or stand frequently.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing 1 to 10 pounds frequently, 11 to 25 pounds occasionally, and 36 to 50 pounds seldom; objects over 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
Manual dexterity to use a variety of manual and automated pipettes, laboratory instruments, and apparatus.

Responsibilities

Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment under direct and constant supervision; activities must be signed off by license-qualified personnel.
Find missing samples and assist with monitoring pending and overdue lists by searching, locating, following up, and filing appropriate documentation.
Decontaminate work areas and clean, organize, and maintain work areas, glassware, and laboratory equipment.
Perform weekly radioactive wipe tests, if applicable.
Change gas cylinders.
Use the laboratory computer system and operate PCs.
Provide input regarding training and checklists and complete training and competency checklists as appropriate.
Assist with the department quality improvement program and perform assigned QA/QC duties.
Inform supervisory personnel of suspected problems.
Receive, label, handle, and prepare specimens.
Assist with pre-analytical specimen preparation, including printing labels, uncapping and capping tubes, aliquoting specimens, preparing racks and worklists, and entering or scanning specimens.
Record digital temperatures and notify licensed personnel when a temperature is out of range.
Assist in preparing chemicals, reagents, and solutions that do not require quantitative measurement.
Perform departmental tasks such as filing, archiving and retrieving slides or blocks, reports, requisitions, and other paperwork, and answering the telephone.
Dispose of biohazardous material.
Comply with health and safety policies, procedures, and practices, and use personal protective equipment.
Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Day 1 medical, supplemental health, dental, and vision benefits for full-time employees working 30 or more hours.
Well-being programs.
Annual, no-cost health assessment program.
Blueprint for Wellness® healthyMINDS mental health program.
Vacation and Health/Flex Time.
Six holidays plus one “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, with a buy-up option.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Annual incentive plans.
Matching gifts program.
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education.
Career advancement opportunities.
Potential annual performance bonus compensation.