Lab Assistant Temporary- Arcata -Closes April 22, 2026

United Indian Health Se • Arcata, CA

2h

About The Position

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Level I:

Greets clients courteously, providing outstanding customer service with clear communication and empathy.
Maintains a professional demeanor at all times and works effectively as a team member.
Processes laboratory orders within the Electronic Health Record (EHR), Laboratory Information System (LIS), and paper requisitions, as necessary.
Processes blood, urine, microbiology, and pathology specimens for testing.
Assists in tracking the shipment, completion, and reporting of all tests into the EHR and LIS.
Performs capillary and venipuncture specimen collection.
Understands, documents, and troubleshoots quality control procedures.
Completes routine cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of equipment and analyzers.
Handles clerical tasks as needed.
Adheres to UIHS Infection Prevention, Safety policies, and standard operating procedures.
Reports to the Laboratory Manager on daily oversight and general processes.
Understands and complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other client confidentiality regulations.
Maintains an organized and clean working environment.
Maintains an inventory of laboratory supplies.
Must be willing to learn more about the American Indian culture and attend at least one Cultural Presentation/Training per year.
Performs all duties in accordance with the UIHS Mission, Vision, and Guiding principles.

Level 2—competent in all Level I and in addition to the following:

Engages in understanding, documentation, and basic troubleshooting of quality control procedures.
Manages inventory of laboratory supplies, ensuring optimal stock levels.
Track the shipment, completion and reporting into EHR and LIS of all laboratory tests processed through a UIHS laboratory.

Level 3—competent in all Level 2 and in addition to the following:

Collaborates closely with the Laboratory Manager for daily oversight, process improvements, and general operations.
Assists in the development and revision of laboratory policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
Takes the lead in resolving more complex problems encountered during the laboratory workflow.
Oversees and ensures the regular and advanced maintenance of analyzers and other equipment.
Champions the continuous education and understanding of the UIHS culture, setting examples, and guiding junior staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Educational degrees must be from a US Department of Education accredited school.

Level 1:

High school diploma or equivalent; and must have:
Documentation of the completion of forty (40) hours of basic and advanced didactic (classroom) phlebotomy training from a phlebotomy program.
Documentation of the completion of forty (40) hours of phlebotomy practice that included the performance of at least fifty (50) venipunctures and ten (10) skin punctures.
Must have pending California Certified Phlebotomy Technician I or II Certificate.

Level 2 – above mentioned and:

Must have a minimum of three (3) years of full time (or equivalent) experience working in a medical facility performing phlebotomy.
Must be proficient in venipuncture and fingerstick procedures for blood collection and in handling and processing specimens for clinic diagnostic testing.
Completion and/ or maintenance of clinical cross training, or higher-level certification (i.e., National or ASCP Phlebotomy Certification)

Level 3 – above mentioned and:

Must have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a medical facility performing phlebotomy.
Must demonstrate the ability to successfully train level 1-2 and phlebotomy interns.
May be met by having one (1) or more years’ experience as a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist or by assuming managerial responsibilities in the laboratory. Ability to cross train a Medical Assistant.

COMPUTER OPERATIONS:

Basic personal computer skills including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.
Experience with electronic health records and/or laboratory information system is preferred.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Documentation of the completion of forty (40) hours of basic and advanced didactic (classroom) phlebotomy training from a phlebotomy program.
• Documentation of the completion of forty (40) hours of phlebotomy practice that included the performance of at least fifty (50) venipunctures and ten (10) skin punctures.
• Must have pending California Certified Phlebotomy Technician I or II Certificate.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years of full time (or equivalent) experience working in a medical facility performing phlebotomy.
• Must be proficient in venipuncture and fingerstick procedures for blood collection and in handling and processing specimens for clinic diagnostic testing.
• Completion and/ or maintenance of clinical cross training, or higher-level certification (i.e., National or ASCP Phlebotomy Certification)
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a medical facility performing phlebotomy.
• Must demonstrate the ability to successfully train level 1-2 and phlebotomy interns.
• May be met by having one (1) or more years’ experience as a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist or by assuming managerial responsibilities in the laboratory.
• Ability to cross train a Medical Assistant.
• Basic personal computer skills including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, etc.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with electronic health records and/or laboratory information system is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greets clients courteously, providing outstanding customer service with clear communication and empathy.
• Maintains a professional demeanor at all times and works effectively as a team member.
• Processes laboratory orders within the Electronic Health Record (EHR), Laboratory Information System (LIS), and paper requisitions, as necessary.
• Processes blood, urine, microbiology, and pathology specimens for testing.
• Assists in tracking the shipment, completion, and reporting of all tests into the EHR and LIS.
• Performs capillary and venipuncture specimen collection.
• Understands, documents, and troubleshoots quality control procedures.
• Completes routine cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of equipment and analyzers.
• Handles clerical tasks as needed.
• Adheres to UIHS Infection Prevention, Safety policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Reports to the Laboratory Manager on daily oversight and general processes.
• Understands and complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other client confidentiality regulations.
• Maintains an organized and clean working environment.
• Maintains an inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Must be willing to learn more about the American Indian culture and attend at least one Cultural Presentation/Training per year.
• Performs all duties in accordance with the UIHS Mission, Vision, and Guiding principles.
• Engages in understanding, documentation, and basic troubleshooting of quality control procedures.
• Manages inventory of laboratory supplies, ensuring optimal stock levels.
• Track the shipment, completion and reporting into EHR and LIS of all laboratory tests processed through a UIHS laboratory.
• Collaborates closely with the Laboratory Manager for daily oversight, process improvements, and general operations.
• Assists in the development and revision of laboratory policies, procedures, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Takes the lead in resolving more complex problems encountered during the laboratory workflow.
• Oversees and ensures the regular and advanced maintenance of analyzers and other equipment.
• Champions the continuous education and understanding of the UIHS culture, setting examples, and guiding junior staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED