Lab Assistant I (AM Processor)

Simple Laboratories; Harwood Heights (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

STD/LTD

Hospital Indemnity Insurance

Critical Illness insurance

Job summary

Simple Laboratories LLC is seeking a Lab Assistant I to receive and process biological specimens, perform data entry, labeling, and pre-analytic tasks in line with SOPs. You may assist with inventory and other support tasks to ensure smooth laboratory workflow.

Responsibilities include ensuring accurate labeling, using LIS for test requests, and maintaining compliant, clean workspaces while following PPE and safety policies. Schedule typically 10:00 AM–6:30 PM, Tue–Sat.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to learn the job duties and overall laboratory functions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for resolution of questions or concerns from other Simple Lab employees.
• Monitors TAT and assigns LA I staff as needed to meet expectations.
• Provide feedback to Laboratory management regarding potential/ongoing process or employee issues.
• Process clinical laboratory specimens with accuracy, timeliness, completeness and compliance.
• Confirm client, patient and specimen details to ascertain adequacy and appropriateness of specimens.
• Data enter test requests into LIS and apply barcoded labels to specimens.
• Ensure specimens are labeled correctly; escalate discrepancies for resolution as needed.
• Centrifuge and/or aliquot specimens as required.
• Pre-sort specimens for delivery to technical departments.
• Retrieve specimens for add-on testing.
• Handle and dispose of all specimens per PPE and safety policies.
• Maintain clean, decontaminated workspaces per Safety protocols.
• Investigate and resolve specimen or test issues to ensure timely reporting of results.
• Coordinate with technical departments and Problem Resolution for recollection when needed.
• Perform maintenance on equipment and document appropriately.
• Maintain records of problems and resolutions related to specimen processing, inventory, and equipment.
• Meet or exceed all performance expectations, including attendance and schedule adherence.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

Strong communication

Multitasking

Problem solving

Team interaction

Safety procedures

Inventory management

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory Information System (LIS)

Barcode labeling

PPE and safety protocols

Job description

The Lab Assistant I is responsible for receiving and processing biological specimens such as blood, urine, etc. that are submitted for laboratory testing. Functions performed typically include data entry of lab requests, labeling patient specimens, and other pre-analytic tasks in preparation for laboratory testing, according to standard operating procedures. Additional support tasks such as inventory management may be assigned.

Schedule: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM | Tuesday through Saturday

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Serve as primary point of contact for resolution of questions or concerns from other Simple Lab employees, particularly those outside the Laboratory

Monitors TAT and assigns LA I staff as needed to meet expectations

Provide feedback to Laboratory management regarding potential/ongoing process or employee issues within Specimen Processing

Process clinical laboratory specimens with an emphasis on accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and compliance

Confirm client, patient, and specimen details to ascertain adequacy and appropriateness of specimens

Data enter test requests into the Laboratory Information System (LIS) and apply appropriate barcoded labels to patient specimens or scan pre-existing barcodes

Ensure that specimens are labeled appropriately; escalate discrepancies for resolution as needed

Centrifuge and/or aliquot specimens as required

Pre-sort specimens for delivery to technical departments

Retrieve specimens from storage as necessary for add-on testing

Handle and dispose of all specimens following biohazardous waste precautions and applicable safety policies

Ensure clean, decontaminated workspaces per Safety protocols

Investigate and resolve specimen issues or test issues to ensure timely and accurate reporting of results

Consult with technical departments regarding acceptability of patient specimens as needed; coordinate with Problem Resolution team for recollection as needed

Perform required maintenance on Specimen Processing equipment such as centrifuges, printers, incubators, freezers, and refrigerators; document appropriately

Maintain accurate and complete records of problems and resolutions related to specimen processing, inventory, and equipment

Meet or exceed all performance expectations to include attendance and adherence to work schedule

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Ability to learn the job duties assigned to the Laboratory Assistant II and develop an understanding of the overall functions within the Laboratory.
• Attention to detaila must
• Strong data entry and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to professionally and positively interact with peers, clients, and other Simple Lab staff
• Ability to multitask and maintain focus within a fast-paced environment
• Ability to problem-solve as needed
• Ability to learn policies and procedures and apply them in the workplace
• Comfortable handling potentially infectious biological specimens; adherence to all applicable PPE and other Laboratory Safety policies

WORK SPECIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Continuous sitting, standing, and walking in the performance of job duties
• Laboratory equipment such as incubators, refrigerators, freezers, liquid handlers, and extraction instruments
• Desktop computer and associated peripherals
• Regular exposure to potentially infectious biological specimens

BENEFITS

• 401(k) Matching
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• STD/LTD
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness insurance

About Simple Laboratories LLC

Simple Laboratories provides laboratory diagnostic testing and related services in the Midwest of the United States. Certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments program (CLIA), Simple Laboratories is a full-service, clinical laboratory offering a comprehensive test menu and wide-ranging services to support independent healthcare facilities such as primary care and specialty physician offices, immediate care / urgent care facilities, FQHC / community health centers, hospitals, etc. The company specializes in routine testing services, including blood chemistry analysis, urinalysis, blood cell count, thyroid testing, pap testing, HIV / STI testing, and microbiology culture / procedure.