Lab Assistant II - Microbiology

Quest Diagnostics; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

401(k) with company match

Vacation and paid holidays

Education assistance

Job summary

A leading medical laboratory in Royal Oak, MI is seeking a Lab Assistant II to handle specimen preparation, assist in analytical tasks, and maintain a clean workspace. The role requires one year of experience in a lab setting, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. Benefits include medical coverage from day one, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and educational assistance. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and possess excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• One year full-time experience in a technical or clinical laboratory.
• Basic organizational/departmental policy knowledge required.
• Requires physical stamina for standing and manual tasks.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen receiving, labeling, handling, and preparation.
• Assist with pre-analytical preparation of specimens.
• Record digital temperature and maintain laboratory equipment.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work independently

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Laboratory Information Systems

Automated pipettes

Job description

Lab Assistant II – Royal Oak, MI

Monday to Friday, 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM, with rotational weekends.

Employee may be eligible to receive a 10% shift differential for some or all hours worked on the second shift and a 15% shift differential for some or all hours worked on the third shift.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen receiving, labeling, handling and preparation.
• Assist with pre‑analytical preparation of specimens (e.g., printing labels, uncap/cap specimen tubes, aliquot specimens, prepare racks, worklists, enter/scan specimens and load automated instruments).
• Record digital temperature; notify licensed personnel if temperature is out of range.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment.
• Assist in preparation of chemicals, reagents and solutions.
• Clean, organize and maintain work area, glassware and laboratory equipment (e.g., refrigerators, freezers and supply cabinets, as needed).
• Assist with monitoring the department pending and overdue lists, which includes searching, locating, following up and filing appropriate documentation.
• Perform other departmental tasks such as filing, archiving and retrieving slides/blocks, reports, requisitions/other paperwork and answering the telephone.
• Dispose of biohazardous material.
• Enter data in laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Perform QA/QC duties as assigned.
• Complete training and competency checklists as appropriate.
• Comply with all health and safety policies, procedures and practices. Required to use personal protective equipment.
• Other duties as assigned. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, but rather a general description of work performed by the position.

Qualifications

• One (1) year full‑time experience in a technical or clinical laboratory department.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Objects 1 to 10 pounds are lifted and carried frequently; objects 11 to 25 pounds occasionally; objects 36 to 50 pounds seldom; objects over 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
• Ability to stand and work at the bench for long periods of time.
• Frequent walking and/or standing.
• May be required to use a wide variety of manual and automated pipettes and laboratory instruments and apparatuses all of which demand significant manual dexterity.

Knowledge

Basic knowledge of organizational/departmental policies and procedures.

Skills

• Must demonstrate the ability to follow a series of steps without confusion or errors on an ongoing basis and retain the information once learned.
• Must be detail‑oriented, have the ability to work independently, establish work priorities and to handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum department efficiency.
• Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co‑workers and clients.
• Ability to deal with client information in a confidential manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Laboratory Information Systems.

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent. High School Diploma is Preferred – Florida Only (Required).

Benefits

• Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours.
• Best‑in‑class well‑being programs.
• Annual, no‑cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness®.
• healthyMINDS mental health program.
• Vacation and Health/Flex Time.
• 6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off.
• FinFit financial coaching and services.
• 401(k) pre‑tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Life and disability insurance, plus buy‑up option.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Matching gifts program.
• Education assistance through MyQuest for Education.
• Career advancement opportunities and so much more!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Quest Diagnostics is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets or any other legally protected status.