Prep Lab Assistant

Quest Diagnostics • Erie, PA

1d • $16 - $23 • Onsite

About The Position

The Prep Lab Assistant provides a wide variety of support for an assigned laboratory department. The position handles specimen pickup, sorting, preparation, processing, and distribution; laboratory supply and equipment upkeep; routine quality checks; and designated supervised testing. The role also uses laboratory computer systems, follows safety and waste-disposal procedures, and contributes to department training and process improvement.

The position is in Erie, Pennsylvania, on a rotating schedule that includes every other weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM. For the first 3–4 weeks of training, the employee must be available Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Pay starts at $17.20 per hour. The employee may be eligible for a shift differential of 10% for some or all second-shift hours and 15% for some or all third-shift hours; additional details are provided if an offer is extended. Successful candidates may also be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation.

The posting describes benefits for part-time employees scheduled for 29 hours or less per week. Employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week may be eligible for vacation and health/flex time and, if regularly scheduled for 20 or more hours per week, six holidays plus one “MyDay” off. Listed benefits also include a 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service, annual incentive plans, an employee stock purchase plan, education assistance through MyQuest for Education, and a no-cost annual health assessment program.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Be accurate and detail-oriented.
• Be flexible with respect to department scheduling needs.
• Be flexible to work in other departments as needed.
• Be available Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM, for the first 3–4 weeks of training.
• Work the rotating schedule, including every other Saturday and Sunday, 3:00 PM–11:30 PM.

Responsibilities

• Pick up samples from accessioning and sort them into appropriate racks.
• Answer the phone and direct calls appropriately.
• Unpack and store reagents and supplies.
• Inventory and order warehouse supply items.
• Sort samples and distribute them to the appropriate setup hood; manage the specimen library within established time frames.
• Decontaminate designated work areas and maintain the work area in a clean, organized condition.
• Perform waived tests under supervision.
• Seek specimens as needed.
• Follow all personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
• Maintain designated laboratory equipment.
• Perform assigned QA/QC duties, such as eyewash checks and temperature readings.
• Load urine samples onto Atlas for urinalysis.
• Resolve the unverified pending list for occult blood and urinalysis.
• Inoculate appropriate microbiology media based on the site given.
• Prepare samples for processing, including use of tissue grinders and centrifuging.
• Credit unacceptable or duplicate test requests and identify which sites and specimens are acceptable for testing.
• Place anaerobic culture plates in appropriate bags.
• Load blood bottles into the Bactec machine.
• Print and separate worksheets.
• Put culture plates in incubators.
• Prepare concentrates and trichrome slides for ova and parasites.
• Prepare samples for DNA probes.
• Prepare malaria smears.
• Prepare tubes for Giardia antigens and cryptosporidium EIA.
• Perform and finalize occult blood results.
• Use laboratory computer systems for labeling, inquiry, crediting, and resulting as needed.
• Dispose of biohazardous and chemical waste.
• Complete PAL forms appropriately.
• Provide input regarding procedures, the training manual, and checklists.
• Assist with department quality and process improvement projects.
• Set up media and supplies for the assigned work area.
• Complete training checklists and competency testing appropriately.
• Discard specimens weekly.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Part-time employees scheduled at least 20 hours per week may receive vacation and health/flex time.
• Part-time employees regularly scheduled for at least 20 hours per week may receive six holidays plus one “MyDay” off.
• 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service.
• Annual incentive plans.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Education assistance through MyQuest for Education.
• Annual no-cost health assessment program, Blueprint for Wellness.
• Potential eligibility for annual performance bonus compensation.
• Potential shift differential of 10% for some or all second-shift hours and 15% for some or all third-shift hours.

What This Job Offers

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