Lab Aide, I

Helix; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Parental Leave (12 weeks)

401(k) with employer matching up to 3%

Well-Being Benefits

Flexible PTO

Remote options for many roles and home

Job summary

Helix is hiring a Lab Aide I to support pre-analytical operations in a high-volume CAP/CLIA certified laboratory in San Diego, CA. You will participate in accessioning, data entry, and plating, with exposure to at-home kit fulfillment services that drive the lab workflow.

You will learn and grow into a subject matter expert within the laboratory operations team, with opportunities to train staff and contribute to process improvements while maintaining HIPAA compliance and strong teamwork in a

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology.
• 60 semester hours from an accredited institution, with 24 science hours (6 chemistry, 6 biology, 12 additional hours in chemistry/biology/medical lab tech).
• 0–1 year of experience in a clinical laboratory or healthcare setting (Lab Aide I) or academic experience.
• Proficient in Excel and Microsoft Word with exceptional accuracy in data entry.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Understanding of patient confidentiality (HIPAA) requirements.
• Developing knowledge of CAP and CLIA requirements.
• Willingness to commit to a Tuesday through Saturday work schedule.
• Comfortable using AI tools to support day-to-day tasks.

Responsibilities

• Work onsite in a CAP/CLIA certified laboratory in San Diego, CA.
• Build at-home collection kits and manage pick, pack, and send-out of kits (~20% of role).
• Perform accurate scans to track kit status and maintain inventory.
• Receive and verify patient specimens against requisitions with high accuracy.
• Accessioning and data entry while maintaining sample integrity.
• Identify and flag specimen issues such as missing info or incorrect sample types.
• Execute plating procedures and operate automated equipment per protocol.
• Support and maintain the biohazardous waste program according to regulations.
• Maintain a clean, organized laboratory workspace.
• Coordinate handoffs between accessioning and supporting teams to keep statuses accurate.

Skills

Excel

Microsoft Word

Data entry accuracy

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Fast-paced environment

HIPAA awareness

CAP/CLIA knowledge

Education

Associate's degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology

60 semester hours with 24 science hours (6 chem, 6 bio, 12 other science/Lab tech)

Tools

LIMS

Job description

What is special about this role?

Join Helix's world-class, high-volume CAP/CLIA certified laboratory, transforming health organizations by weaving genomics into the fabric of healthcare. As a Lab Aide, you'll be at the forefront of our pre-analytical operations, working with a dynamic team that processes thousands of patient specimens daily. You'll gain hands-on clinical laboratory experience in a state-of-the-art facility, supporting accessioning activities, plating procedures, and the biohazardous waste program, while also getting exposure to at-home kit fulfillment services which builds and sends out the very kits that return to our lab. With clear advancement pathways, you'll grow from executing foundational tasks to becoming a subject matter expert and leader within the laboratory operations team.

As a Lab Aide I, you will:

• Work onsite in our CAP/CLIA certified laboratory located in San Diego, CA
• Build at-home collection kits and support pick, pack, and send-out of at-home kits as part of fulfillment operations (approximately 20% of role)
• Perform accurate scans to track kit status and maintain inventory levels
• Receive, unpack, and verify patient specimens against requisitions with high accuracy
• Perform specimen accessioning and data entry while maintaining sample integrity
• Identify and flag specimen issues such as missing information or incorrect sample types
• Execute plating procedures and operate automated equipment according to established protocols
• Support and maintain the biohazardous waste program in compliance with regulations
• Maintain a clean, organized laboratory workspace.
• Coordinate handoffs between accessioning and supporting teams to keep specimen statuses accurate across teams.

As you advance, you will have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities including training new staff, troubleshooting complex specimen issues, and contributing to process improvement initiatives.

About you:

• Associate's degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology
• Course work must include completion of 60 semester hours from an accredited institution, with 24 semester hours of science courses (including 6 hours in chemistry, 6 hours in biology, and 12 additional hours in chemistry, biology, or medical lab technology)
• 0–1 year of experience in a clinical laboratory or healthcare setting (Lab Aide I); academic experience will be considered
• Proficient computer skills (Excel, Microsoft Word) with exceptional accuracy in data entry
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Understanding of patient confidentiality (HIPAA) requirements
• Developing knowledge of CAP and CLIA requirements
• Ability to follow established procedures and work under direct supervision
• Willingness to commit to a Tuesday through Saturday work schedule
• Comfortable using AI tools (or open to learning them) to support day-to-day tasks

Pluses:

• Bachelor's degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology
• Prior experience in a high-volume clinical laboratory setting
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
• Experience with biohazardous waste handling and disposaltle:BBiju
• Knowledge of pre-analytical specimen processing best practices
• Demonstrated interest in process improvement and operational efficiency
• Experience working in regulated environments
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently on routine tasks

Expected Interview Process:

• Recruiter Screen
• Manager Screen
• Onsite
• Offer

Expected Pay For This Role:

There are 3 distinct parts to your Helix offer:1)Base Salary2)Annual Bonus3)Equity

• Expected Helix Base Hourly Rate: $23 - $29
• Expected Helix Discretionary Annual Bonus: 5% of your annual salary
• Equity: We offer generous equity at Helix. If you receive a Helix offer your recruiter will book dedicated time with you to educate you on our equity model.

Aside from working alongside brilliant, dedicated, passionate, down-to-earth, curious, warm, and thoughtful people, we also provide great benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance with Date of Hire eligibility
  • Above average employer paid premium coverage
• 12 weeks Helix Paid Parental Leave option
• 401(k) with employer matching of up to 3% and 100% Vesting on the Date of Hire
• Comprehensive Well-Being Benefits
• Flexible PTO
• Remote options for many roles and a home office stipend

What To Expect During Your First 90 days:

• First 30 days:you’ll spend time learning the Helix way, completing training and onboarding for your roles, and getting introduced to your team and relevant stakeholders. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of our customers, our products, the impact we make in the lives of our communities, and how to thrive at Helix through participation in Helix U.
• Day 30 - 60:you’ll spend time contributing to projects, deeply familiarizing yourself with team and company processes, and developing a deeper understanding of Helix’s products, services and capabilities.
• Day 60 - 90:you’ll build your OKRs with your manager, start to take ownership of projects and initiatives on your team, and begin to demonstrate your impact on the Helix mission.

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Helix is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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