Laboratory Assistant

NY United Health Services • Johnson City, NY

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant at United Health Services supports laboratory services and patient care by ensuring specimens are handled accurately and efficiently from collection through testing. The role helps maintain quality standards, support laboratory workflows, manage supplies, and coordinate information among patients, caregivers, providers, and colleagues. It is based in the Core Laboratory at UHS Wilson Medical Center and works a rotational shift for 40 scheduled hours per week.

The position supports inpatient, outpatient, and reference-testing workflows under supervision, completing laboratory support, clerical, and patient-facing responsibilities. The Laboratory Assistant contributes to specimen integrity, turnaround time, laboratory quality, patient experience, and dependable service by working accurately, safely, and on schedule. The role requires adherence to laboratory and organizational procedures, applicable regulations, confidentiality and security requirements, and safe work practices.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to complete assigned work accurately, safely, and on schedule while working under supervision.
• Ability to follow laboratory procedures, safety practices, confidentiality standards, and applicable regulations.

Nice To Haves

• Up to 1 year of direct experience performing the exact or very similar duties required by the job within the same role or function.
• Up to 1 year of customer- or patient-facing experience directly interacting and communicating with the public.
• Up to 1 year of technical or systems experience using specialized tools, software, or equipment for the role.

Responsibilities

• Receive, label, assess, centrifuge, aliquot, store, and retrieve specimens to support accurate and timely testing.
• Enter patient demographics, insurance information, and test orders into laboratory systems.
• Prepare, track, package, and ship specimens to internal laboratory sites and external reference laboratories, resolving routine specimen issues according to established guidelines.
• Maintain laboratory supplies and inventory, support reagent and consumable ordering, and assist with supply evaluations.
• Monitor and document environmental, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures.
• Transport specimens, requisitions, and reports within the hospital and between laboratory departments.
• Support analyzer setup by loading carriers, cassettes, and specimen racks.
• Identify specimen quality concerns, validate collection details, and escalate issues that could affect testing or patient safety.
• Follow laboratory, departmental, infection control, NYSDOH, CDC, and blood and body fluids requirements during specimen collection, processing, handling, transport, and shipping.
• Protect patient privacy and clinical information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational confidentiality standards.
• Complete required training, education, and competency validations within established timelines.
• Use required personal protective equipment and safe work practices when handling blood, body fluids, hazardous materials, and potentially infectious specimens.
• Maintain accurate documentation and promptly report quality, safety, equipment, or specimen concerns through appropriate escalation channels.
• Follow established security policies and procedures, use systems responsibly, and promptly report potential security incidents, risks, or policy violations.
• As applicable to the role, support cybersecurity and data protection requirements throughout the supplier lifecycle, including coordinating vendor risk assessments, monitoring third-party compliance, and reporting supply-chain or cybersecurity risks.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, providers, and colleagues to support service excellence and a positive care experience.
• Support a clean, organized, and well-stocked work environment.
• Participate in departmental improvement efforts and adapt to changing workflows, priorities, and operational needs.
• Participate in and apply principles learned in Customer Service Training.
• Demonstrate UHS Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation in daily work and interactions.
• Perform responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulations, and take on additional responsibilities to meet department and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees working 24 or more hours per week, beginning the first of the month after hire.
• Discounted childcare through Bright Horizons.
• Voluntary pet insurance, legal services, and identity theft protection.
• Paid time off accrual beginning on day one.
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Access to financial advisors.
• Up to $400 per year in wellness rewards.
• 24/7 employee assistance program counseling and virtual mental health support.
• Food pantry and PTO donation program.
• Professional attire through the Classy Closet.
• Access to more than 100,000 online courses and leadership programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Clinical ladders and internal mobility opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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