Lab Associate I

Quest Diagnostics • Chantilly, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This non-licensed position is accountable for assisting with general support for the laboratory, following all applicable policies and procedures. The Lab Associate I role involves investigating and resolving missing samples, responding to "code purple" situations, and acting as a trainer for department Lab Assistants. This role also involves resolving pending lists, serving as a liaison for the department with technical support, and creating manual testing worksheets. The position requires maintaining department records, reporting issues to the supervisor, and assisting with special projects and the department Improvement Program. Key duties include coordinating sample acquisition for various comparisons, performing routine instrument maintenance under supervision, and assisting in the preparation of chemicals, reagents, and solutions. The role also encompasses preparing and organizing samples for testing, managing labeling, handling, processing, transportation, and storage of specimens, and identifying and resolving specimen problems. Additionally, the Lab Associate I assists in pre-analytic and post-analytic testing activities, prepares and maintains records for reagents and media, manages inventory of consumables, orders and stores reagents/supplies, and performs inventory of laboratory items. The position involves sorting and accessioning specimens, tallying workload data, assisting with quality control procedures, and preparing necessary documents. Responsibilities also include answering phones, maintaining client confidentiality, ensuring laboratory cleanliness, and complying with all health and safety policies, including the use of personal protective equipment. This is a general description of work performed and not an exhaustive list of all duties.

Requirements

• High School Graduate or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years of laboratory experience preferred.
• Lifting and carrying objects in the weight range of 1 to 10 pounds frequently.
• Lifting and carrying objects in the weight range of 11 to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Lifting and carrying objects in the weight range of 26 to 50 pounds seldom.
• Objects exceeding 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
• Performs repetitive tasks with dominant hand.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods.
• Good eye and hand coordination.
• Knowledge of medical terminology helpful.
• Ability to work independently, employing research skills and flexibility.
• Ability to deal with client information in a confidential manner.
• Broad knowledge of laboratory operations and procedures.
• Ability to establish work priorities and to handle several tasks for maximum department efficiency.
• Contact with clients will be required, good customer service skills important.
• A working knowledge of reagent stability and storage.
• An awareness of the factors that influence test results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong typing skills desirable.
• Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with management, co-workers, and clients.
• Other automation skills helpful.

Nice To Haves

• 2-3 years of college courses preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigates and resolves missing samples in the department.
• Responds to “code purple” and documents findings.
• Trainer for the department Lab Assistants and completes training/competency checklists as appropriate.
• Resolves pending list in coordination with Lab Assistants and Medical Lab Scientists.
• Liaison for the department and technical support.
• Creates manual testing worksheets in the department.
• Maintains files for department records.
• Reports problems/potential problems to the supervisor.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Assists with the department Improvement Program.
• Coordinates obtaining samples for Instrument Comparisons, reagent lot testing method comparisons, etc.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment, under direct and constant supervision. Activity must be signed-off by license-qualified personnel.
• Assists in preparation of chemicals, reagents and solutions that do not require quantitative measurement.
• Prepares and organizes samples for testing, for example, sample racking, aliquoting and tube preparation.
• Responsible for labeling, handling, processing or preparation, and transportation and storage of specimens.
• Identifies sample problems and assists in resolving appropriately.
• Assists license-qualified personnel or delegated supervisor (non-CA) in the pre-analytic and post-analytic testing activities, other than trainees, in a licensed clinical laboratory.
• Prepares and maintains complete and accurate records of reagents or media using established procedures, formulas, stock solutions and fixed volume measuring devices.
• Maintains inventory of consumable items including reagents and supplies.
• Orders, unpacks, logs, dates and stores reagents/supplies upon receipt and properly rotates stock for use.
• Performs inventory of laboratory items including restocking the benches and equipment inventory.
• Sorting and accessioning incoming specimens into appropriate LIS, then delivering to designated testing.
• Tallies workload data and prepares reports as requested.
• Assists in the performance of quality control procedures.
• Prepares protocols/logs or other appropriate documents.
• Identifies specimen problems and demonstrates ability to appropriately resolve or elevate to license-qualified personnel or delegated supervisor (non-CA).
• Answers phones, transfers, or takes accurate messages.
• Maintains the confidentiality of client information.
• Helps to ensure the laboratory areas are neat, clean, and organized.
• Complies with all health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.
• Required to use personal protective equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED