Laboratory Assistant

Lifepoint Health • Sierra Vista, AZ

3d

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant performs venipuncture and specimen collection and processing, including chain-of-custody collections and breath alcohol testing as required. The role supports laboratory order entry and clerical workflows, answers laboratory phones, provides customer service, and assists with phlebotomy supply inventory. The position reports to the Director or Manager of the Department.

The assistant reviews provider orders, quick-registers patients when needed, enters laboratory tests, verifies patient identity before collections, and collects and labels blood and other specimens. The role ensures specimens are handled and transported properly, coordinates therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing, resolves unclear orders with relevant clinical staff or reference laboratories, and processes or ships specimens according to policy. The assistant also participates in performance improvement and required education, maintains supply par levels, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to use critical thinking and decisive judgment.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment.
• Ability to learn rapidly and navigate multiple software systems.
• Effective English communication skills, including reading, writing, and speaking.
• Ability to complete the Skills Competency Checklist within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma preferred.
• Phlebotomy certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review providers’ orders, quick-register patients when needed, and enter laboratory tests according to requisitions.
• Verify patient identity using two identifiers before all collections.
• Collect blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick, as well as urine, throat, and nasal specimens according to policy.
• Label specimens with at least two identifiers, the date and time, and collector initials; ensure specimen integrity and proper handling and transport.
• Perform chain-of-custody urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing according to policy.
• Coordinate therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time.
• Resolve unusual or unclear test orders by contacting the ordering provider, pathologist, nursing station, or reference lab; escalate unresolved issues to the supervisor.
• Process specimens and distribute them to internal laboratory sections or ship them to reference laboratories according to policy.
• Maintain par levels and assist with weekly departmental supply inventory.
• Participate in performance improvement and required education.
• Answer laboratory phones and provide customer service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental, and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance.
• Loan assistance.
• 401(k) retirement package with company match.
• Wellness programs, including free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services, and discount programs.
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed