Lab Assistant - Tisch Lab Sendout

NYU Langone Health • New York, NY

5d • $52,171 - $56,056

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant is responsible for screening and accessioning specimens into the laboratory information system (LIS), reconciling specimen information, managing LIS work queues, performing quality control and audits, and coordinating specimen transport within and between laboratories. The role processes samples according to NYU policies and procedures, including preparing patient specimens for referral to outside laboratories and ensuring accurate labeling, documentation, packaging, and shipping in compliance with laboratory procedures and regulatory requirements.

The position also supports specimen processing for automated instrumentation, patient registration and order entry, customer service for laboratory and medical staff, department maintenance, and training of new accessioning staff. The role verifies test orders, maintains specimen integrity and turnaround expectations, tracks send-out status and results, and works with laboratory staff, couriers, and reference laboratories to resolve discrepancies.

Requirements

• High school graduate.
• 0 to 6 months of laboratory experience.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent computer and data-entry skills.
• Able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

• Prior accessioning experience.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Accept specimens from delivery personnel, the receiving window, or the pneumatic tube system; verify logs or manifests against received specimens and sign for specimens as required.
• Verify specimen labels, LIS or demographic labels, requisitions, specimen suitability, and consistency and completeness of identifying information.
• Notify appropriate personnel about unacceptable or discrepant specimens and document issues according to department procedures; resolve specimen receipt and requisition problems when possible and according to SOP.
• Accession, sort, rack, distribute, and process specimens in a timely manner, observing special instructions and time-sensitive protocols.
• Notify house staff and pathologists of frozen-section cases, label specimens as required, and deliver specimens and labels to the appropriate laboratory or instrument.
• Register patients and place orders from manual requisitions or correct improperly placed provider orders.
• Answer telephones and provide courteous, professional customer service and accurate information to laboratory and medical staff; fax results and respond to provider requests, including STAT and add-on requests.
• Communicate critical values to providers in the absence of customer service personnel, according to policy.
• Enter required pre-analytic information into the medical record; centrifuge samples as required and place them on automated test platforms according to protocol, including removing tube caps when needed.
• Arrange courier pickups through the portal or by phone as needed.
• Clean laboratory work surfaces and assigned areas, maintain an organized workspace, restock supplies, and notify the supervisor of shortages.
• Follow PPE and engineering-control safety requirements to maintain a safe work environment.
• Participate in training new laboratory accessioning staff and perform other duties as assigned.
• Prepare patient specimens for referral to outside laboratories, ensuring accurate labeling, documentation, packaging, and shipping in compliance with procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Verify test orders, maintain specimen integrity and turnaround expectations, track send-out status and results, and communicate with laboratory staff, couriers, and reference laboratories to resolve discrepancies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits and wellness package.
• Financial security benefits.
• Generous time-off program.
• Employee resource groups for peer support.
• Employee wellness program covering physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, social, financial, and preventive care.

What This Job Offers

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