Laboratory Assistant

HNL Lab Medicine•Allentown, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant supports laboratory departments and clients by performing site-specific tasks such as order entry, specimen collection and processing, equipment and reagent preparation checks, specimen transport and distribution, supply inventory, waived testing, and other non-technical support under general supervision. The role clarifies pre-analytical test requirements and assists customers as needed. The schedule typically runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, may vary, and may include occasional weekend or holiday coverage based on operational needs. The assistant maintains knowledge of and follows Standard Operating Procedures, receives and triages specimens, evaluates specimen integrity, processes specimens and slides, and ensures accurate delivery to the appropriate departments. Duties also include clerical and records support, contacting clients and patients for missing information, maintaining supplies, assisting with staff orientation and training, and performing laboratory information system functions. The position may provide on-call and mobile services and travel to multiple locations. Additional duties vary by laboratory area. Toxicology responsibilities may include handling forensic specimens and records according to applicable guidelines, responding to legal inquiries, and collecting drug-screen specimens and performing breath alcohol and waived testing. Pathology, histology, and cytology responsibilities may include reference-lab send-outs, digital pathology slide scanning, and instrument maintenance. The role also supports health fairs, performs finger punctures, cleans laboratory equipment and work surfaces, prepares reagents and testing supplies, and documents required quality-control checks.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions in English and write simple correspondence in English.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small-group situations to customers, clients, and other employees.
Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rates, ratios, and percentages; and draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Knowledge of email and laboratory information systems; training will be provided.
Selected Laboratory Assistants who are required to travel must have a valid driver's license and acceptable driving history.

Responsibilities

Follow Standard Operating Procedures and accurately complete assigned work.
Order, receive, and triage incoming specimens and evaluate specimen integrity.
Process specimens and slides according to the Laboratory Handbook and SOPs, and ensure their accurate delivery to appropriate departments.
Perform clerical functions, filing, and record maintenance, including entering patient demographic and insurance information.
Contact clients and patients to obtain missing information.
Provide on-call and mobile services as required and travel to multiple locations when assigned.
Maintain supply inventories and promptly notify a supervisor or manager of issues.
Assist with training and orientation of new staff and participate in CSI and continuing education programs.
Perform laboratory information system functions for test receipt, requisitions, and labeling; perform and record required equipment and test-system checks as assigned and report issues.
Participate in health fair events and perform finger punctures.
Clean laboratory equipment, glassware, and work surfaces; prepare reagents and testing supplies; and document quality-control checks.
Order DEMOs in the laboratory computer system.
Handle forensic toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines, and handle legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas.
Collect drug-screen specimens, perform breath alcohol testing, and perform waived testing.
Send specimens, slides, and/or blocks to reference laboratories as required in pathology, histology, or cytology.
Perform digital pathology slide scanning and instrument maintenance.