Prep Lab Assistant

Quest Diagnostics • Erie, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Prep Lab Assistant provides a wide variety of support for the assigned laboratory department. The role is based in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a rotating schedule that includes every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday), 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM. The employee must be available Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM, for the first 3–4 weeks of training. 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; details are provided if an offer is extended. Successful candidates may also be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation.

The role involves receiving, sorting, preparing, and processing specimens; maintaining laboratory supplies, equipment, and work areas; performing assigned quality assurance and quality control tasks; and using laboratory systems to label, track, credit, and report work. The assistant follows personal protective equipment requirements, established procedures, training checklists, and competency testing requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Accurate and detail-oriented work.
• Flexibility with department scheduling needs.
• Flexibility to work in other departments as needed.
• Availability Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM, for the first 3–4 weeks of training.

Responsibilities

• Pick up samples from accessioning and sort them into appropriate racks.
• Answer phone calls and direct them 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.
• Perform waived tests under supervision.
• Seek specimens as needed.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Follow all personal protective equipment requirements.
• Maintain designated laboratory equipment.
• Perform assigned QA/QC duties, including eyewash checks and temperature readings.
• Load urines onto Atlas for urinalysis.
• Resolve the unverified pending list for occult bloods and urinalysis.
• Inoculate appropriate microbiology media based on the site given.
• Prepare samples for processing, including tissue grinding and centrifuging.
• Credit unacceptable or duplicate test requests and determine 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, training manuals, 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

• Eligible employees may receive an annual performance bonus.
• Part-time employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for vacation and health/flex time.
• Part-time employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for 6 holidays plus 1 “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®.
• Other benefits and programs may be available depending on whether the position is part-time or full-time.

What This Job Offers

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