Lab Assistant

Zoetis; Louisville (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis is seeking a Lab Assistant (Core Lab) to support Reference Lab operations. You will receive, accession, label, and prepare biological specimens for testing while ensuring SOP, quality, and safety compliance.

You will also handle data entry into LIMS, route specimens, and assist with inventory and routine tasks with minimal supervision. The role emphasizes accurate documentation, safe handling of specimens, and teamwork in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• Lab experience or medical lab assistant/phlebotomy background preferred.
• Strong documentation and data-entry skills; attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Receive, accession, label, and route specimens per SOP.
• Log specimens in LIS and verify patient identifiers and test orders.
• Prepare specimens and assist with basic testing steps as trained.
• Maintain temperature logs and QC records; document issues.
• Support inventory, safety, and waste management routines.
• Coordinate with couriers and clinical staff for specimen issues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

Microsoft Windows

LIS experience

Teamwork

Communication

English fluency

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

LIS

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

SHIFT TIMES

Tuesday - Saturday 2:00 am - 10:30 am

Summary

The Lab Assistant (Core Lab) 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.

Job Duties

• Specimen receiving & accessioning
  • Verify patient/specimen identifiers, labeling, and test orders
  • Log/accession specimens in the LIS; route specimens appropriately
  • Assess specimen acceptability and document issues per policy
• Specimen processing & preparation
  • Aliquot, concentrate, and preserve specimens per SOP (as applicable)
  • Prepare slides (wet mounts, stained smears as trained/authorized)
  • Set up kits/reagents and prepare materials for technologists
• Testing support (within scope)
  • Assist with non-waived testing steps only as permitted by training/licensure
  • Perform waived/CLIA‑waived tasks if authorized and competency document
  • Communicate urgent workflow needs to the technologist/supervisor
• Quality & documentation
  • Complete temperature logs (refrigerators/freezers/incubators as assigned)
  • Maintain lot‑to‑lot, expiration checks, reagent labeling, and QC records as assigned
  • Follow Good Documentation Practices and correct recordkeeping
• Equipment & area maintenance
  • Clean/disinfect benches and shared equipment per schedule
  • Perform basic maintenance checks (centrifuges, microscopes, hoods-per SOP)
  • Report malfunctions; coordinate service requests as directed
• Inventory & supplies
  • Stock and rotate supplies (FIFO), track par levels, and submit reorders
  • Maintain collection kits/transport media and ensure proper storage conditions
• Safety, compliance, and waste
  • Follow PPE and biosafety practices; manage biohazard/sharps disposals
  • Support CAP/CLIA/OSHA readiness: organization, labeling, and audit support
  • Participate in incident reporting (spills, exposures, nonconformances)
• Communication & customer support
  • Coordinate with couriers/phlebotomy/clinics for specimen issues
  • Answer basic status questions and route clinical questions appropriately
  • Support training of new staff on workflow and safety basics

Common Qualifications (often expected)

• High school diploma/GED (associate degree preferred)
• Lab experience or medical lab assistant/phlebotomy background preferred
• Comfortable with PPE, biohazard handling, and detailed documentation

Education/Experience

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

Technical Skills Required

• 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
• Flexible hours and overtime may be required

Full time Regular Colleague

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification.

Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system.

We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability.

Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis.

Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers.

Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.

Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com".

In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities.

Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded.