Lab Assistant Waterloo FT Varied

Trinity Health•Waterloo, IA

About The Position

At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you’re in need of medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well. MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides expert health care to eight counties. MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides excellent, personalized care close to home to the communities in the Cedar Valley. With 491 licensed beds between the three medical centers, each providing 24-hour emergency lifesaving care, MercyOne is there for you in critical moments: • MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, an Area Level III Trauma Center and an accredited chest pain center • MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation • MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation With more than 2,500 colleagues, MercyOne is one of the largest employers in Northeast Iowa. MercyOne Medical Group – Northeast Iowa is made up of more than 30 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics located throughout Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Benton, Butler, Fayette and Tama counties. Join the MercyOne Family! We are looking to hire a Lab Assistant. As a Lab Assistant at MercyOne, you will support a variety of laboratory departments by assisting technical staff in the collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of laboratory tests necessary for patient diagnosis and treatment. The role requires the skills needed to ensure specimens, patient information, and testing workflows are handled accurately and efficiently. By contributing to reliable test processes and smooth laboratory operations, this position helps maintain timely turnaround, data integrity, and compliance with quality and safety standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Laboratory experience and knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
Strong computer skills with the ability to learn new systems and tools quickly.
Must be comfortable operating in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.
Must possess a personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity, and caring, with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals, and values of Trinity Health and MercyOne.

Nice To Haves

Laboratory experience and knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs venipunctures, finger sticks, and heel sticks appropriate to patient age (neonates through geriatric adults) and ensures proper specimen collection according to laboratory policy.
Accepts specimens and requisitions from internal and external customers and manages add‑on orders and pending lists in accordance with laboratory procedures.
Identifies patients and specimens using two unique patient identifiers and accurately labels specimen containers to ensure correct identification.
Registers and logs specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), evaluates specimen adequacy and acceptability, and scans required documentation into the patient record.
Performs specimen processing such as proper identification, aliquoting, plate streaking, slide preparation, special handling, and required documentation in accordance with laboratory protocols.
Assists in resolving problematic patient specimens and test orders in collaboration with laboratory staff and clients.
Follows safety, infection control, and chemical‑handling procedures and supports efficient workflow practices that promote accurate testing, timely turnaround, and productivity expectations.
Operates laboratory information systems proficiently to support accurate data entry and workflow management.
Contributes to general laboratory operations by restocking supplies, participating in peer teaching, and engaging in department or hospital committees and projects as assigned.