Lab Assistant

BroadBean; Kentucky; On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lab Assistant at Zoetis Reference Laboratories supports operations by receiving, accessioning, labeling, and preparing specimens for testing in a fast-paced setting. You will enter data into LIMS, maintain logs, support inventory and equipment tasks, and follow SOPs and safety protocols to ensure accurate, compliant results with minimal supervision.

This full-time role requires English fluency, attention to detail, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, and stand for extended

Qualifications

• Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 1+ years in a clinical laboratory setting preferred
• 1-2 years of data entry experience preferred
• Medical background or experience with laboratory testing terminology (or strong aptitude to learn terminology) preferred

Responsibilities

• Receive, accession and label specimens and enter data in LIMS.
• Prepare specimens for testing across departments and route to appropriate areas.
• Maintain clean, organized lab workspace and complete required logs and documentation.
• Assist with inventory, supplies, and secondary equipment operation.
• Support training of Lab Assistant duties and perform ad-hoc tasks as assigned.

Skills

Fluency in English

Data entry

Typing skills

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Lab Assistant

Schedule: Shift: Wednesday-Saturday 3:00am - 11:30am; Sunday 5pm-1:30am

The Lab Assistant supports Reference Lab operations by receiving, accessioning, labeling, and preparing biological specimens for testing while ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures, quality requirements, and safety protocols. This role is responsible for timely unpacking, verification, and routing of specimens to appropriate laboratory departments, accurate data entry into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and appropriate handling, storage, and/or shipment of specimens. The position maintains clean, organized work areas and completes required logs and documentation to support compliance and traceability. The role also supports inventory activities, secondary equipment operation, and other lab operations tasks as assigned, executing responsibilities with minimal to no oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Accessioning & data integrity

• Understand and follow laboratory SOPs, quality control processes, and safety rules.
• Receive and accession specimens and requisitions (integrated and/or manual) against company targets.
• Perform accurate data entry and order verification in the LIMS.
• Organize work by matching computer orders with specimen labeling; verify specimen identification and labeling accuracy.

Specimen receiving, triage, and routing

• Receive, unpack, and process biological specimens in a timely manner.
• Route specimens by type to appropriate staging areas and transport samples to relevant departments with urgency.
• Prepare specimens for testing across departments including (but not limited to) hematology, urinalysis, serology, chemistry, endocrinology, parasitology, cytology, and coagulation.
• Centrifuge and stage specimens as required by workflow.

Specimen handling

• Handle and store biological specimens in accordance with SOPs.
• Prepare excess specimens for storage; organize and maintain specimen storage.
• Resolve, document, and elevate problem specimens per SOP.

Equipment, workspace, and safety compliance

• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory workspace and work surfaces.
• Properly handle and dispose of medical and biohazardous waste in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in all required safety trainings; correctly use applicable safety equipment and PPE.
• Operate and maintain secondary laboratory equipment including (but not limited to) centrifuges, pipettes, heating blocks, slide stainers.

Documentation, logs, and records

• Consistently and properly complete laboratory logs (e.g., maintenance, environmental, cleaning) as required.
• Maintain required records including (but not limited to) medical records, courier logs, and manifests.

Shipping, supplies, and inventory support

• Prepare specimens for shipment to offsite testing facilities in accordance with regulatory standards, including DOT requirements.
• Receive, store, and log laboratory and office supplies in designated locations.
• Monitor and organize lab supplies to maintain appropriate inventory levels.

Training and continuous support

• Understand and complete training modules set forth by Zoetis Reference Laboratories.
• Assist and facilitate training of Lab Assistant duties and responsibilities as requested.
• Perform ad-hoc projects or tasks as assigned by management/supervisor.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent
• 1+ years in a clinical laboratory setting preferred
• 1-2 years of data entry experience preferred
• Medical background or experience with laboratory testing terminology (or strong aptitude to learn terminology) preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong attention to detail; high accuracy in labeling and data entry
• Excellent data entry and typing skills
• Strong computer skills; ability to work within a Windows environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft platforms (Teams, Outlook, Word, etc.)
• Team-oriented with strong collaboration skills
• Organizational and time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks/systems
• Effective verbal and written communication, including listening skills
• Ability to work productively and independently in a fast-paced environment with target productivity rates
• Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Fluency in English

Physical Position Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to bend, kneel, stoop, and crouch
• Ability to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods
• Ability to use tools such as boxcutters
• Ability to wear PPE for extended periods of time

Full time Regular Colleague

About Zoetis

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.