Laboratory Assistant

NYU Langone Health • New York, NY

19d

About The Position

NYU Langone Health is hiring a Laboratory Assistant to screen and accession specimens into the laboratory information system (LIS), reconcile specimen information, manage LIS work queues, perform quality control and audits, and coordinate specimen transport between providers and laboratories. The successful candidate processes samples in accordance with NYU policies and procedures.

The role includes receiving, verifying, sorting, labeling, processing, and distributing specimens; resolving specimen and requisition discrepancies; registering patients and placing or correcting orders; and preparing specimens for automated testing or referral to outside laboratories. The Laboratory Assistant also supports laboratory and medical staff, coordinates courier pickups, maintains a clean and organized work area, follows safety procedures, and participates in training new accessioning staff.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Prior accessioning experience.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• 0 to 6 months of laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Receive specimens delivered in person, at the window, or through the pneumatic tube system; reconcile logs or manifests and sign off on received specimens.
• Verify specimen labels, barcodes, requisitions, identifying information, and specimen suitability for requested tests.
• Notify appropriate personnel about unacceptable or discrepant samples, document issues according to department procedures, and resolve receipt or requisition problems when possible.
• Accession, sort, rack, label, process, and distribute specimens promptly according to established procedures, including STAT and other time-sensitive samples.
• Observe special comments and instructions, notify house staff and pathologists about frozen section cases, 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 respond courteously and promptly to laboratory and medical staff inquiries and requests, including STAT and add-on requests.
• Provide accurate information to medical staff, fax results according to policy, and communicate critical values to providers when customer service personnel are absent.
• Enter required pre-analytic information into the medical record, centrifuge samples as required, and place samples on automated test platforms according to protocol; this may include removing tube caps.
• Arrange courier pickups through the portal or by phone as needed.
• Clean assigned laboratory work surfaces and areas, maintain an organized workspace, restock supplies, and notify a supervisor of shortages.
• Follow PPE and engineering-control safety requirements.
• 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 laboratory 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.
• Holistic 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