Lab Associate I - Serology
About The Position
This non-licensed position supports the Serology laboratory by assisting with general laboratory operations and following applicable policies and procedures. The role is based in San Juan Capistrano, California, and has a rotating schedule from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The Lab Associate prepares, organizes, labels, processes, transports, and stores specimens; sorts and accessions incoming specimens in the laboratory information system; and routes them for testing. The role also supports laboratory equipment preparation and preventive maintenance, reagent and control preparation, inventory management, recordkeeping, quality control, data entry, workload reporting, and general laboratory organization. The associate assists licensed personnel or a delegated supervisor with pre-analytic and post-analytic activities, identifies specimen or sample problems and escalates them as appropriate, handles phone inquiries while protecting client confidentiality, and follows health and safety procedures, including use of personal protective equipment. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Some college coursework is preferred, as is one to two years of laboratory experience. The posting also describes physical demands that may include lifting and carrying items, repetitive hand tasks, extended sitting or standing, and good eye-hand coordination. Compensation is $20.44–$26.32 per hour; successful candidates may be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- For Lab Associates in Histopathology or Cytology departments: basic knowledge of operating non-complex equipment.
- Working knowledge of reagent stability and storage.
- Awareness of factors that influence test results.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Communication and interpersonal skills to deal courteously and effectively with management, coworkers, and clients.
- Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including frequent lifting and carrying of 1–10 pounds, occasional lifting and carrying of 11–25 pounds, seldom lifting and carrying of 26–50 pounds, and not lifting or carrying more than 50 pounds without assistance; repetitive dominant-hand tasks; and sitting and/or standing for long periods.
- Good eye-hand coordination.
Nice To Haves
- One to two years of laboratory experience.
- Two to three years of college courses.
- Strong typing skills.
- Other automation skills.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and organize samples for testing, including sample racking, aliquoting, and tube preparation.
- Label, handle, process or prepare, transport, and store specimens.
- Identify sample problems and assist in resolving them appropriately.
- Prepare testing equipment, assist with preventive maintenance, and notify appropriate technical staff of equipment problems.
- Assist licensed personnel in California, or a delegated supervisor outside California, with pre-analytic and post-analytic testing activities in a licensed clinical laboratory, excluding trainees.
- Prepare pre-analytical reagents and controls using automated or fixed-volume measuring devices and submit documentation for approval to use.
- Prepare and maintain complete and accurate reagent or media records using established procedures, formulas, stock solutions, and fixed-volume measuring devices.
- Maintain inventory of consumable items, reagents, and supplies; order, unpack, log, date, store, and rotate stock; and restock benches and equipment inventory.
- Sort and accession incoming specimens into the appropriate laboratory information system and deliver them to designated testing areas.
- Enter data or transcribe previously recorded results into a computer for data reduction and licensed personnel review.
- Tally workload data and prepare reports as requested.
- Assist with quality control procedures.
- Prepare protocols, logs, and other appropriate documents.
- Identify specimen problems and resolve them appropriately or elevate them to licensed personnel in California or a delegated supervisor outside California.
- Answer and transfer phone calls or take accurate messages while maintaining client confidentiality.
- Help keep laboratory areas neat, clean, and organized.
- Comply with health and safety policies, procedures, and practices, including required use of personal protective equipment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Day 1 medical, supplemental health, dental, and vision coverage for full-time employees working 30 or more hours.
- Well-being programs.
- Annual no-cost Blueprint for Wellness® health assessment program.
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
