Lab Assistant - Parasitology

Zoetis Reference Labs LLC; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis Inc in Louisville, KY is seeking a Lab Assistant (Core Lab) to support Reference Lab operations by receiving, accessioning, labeling and preparing specimens for testing. You will ensure SOPs, quality rules, and safety protocols are followed and data entered accurately into the LIMS.

The role involves unpacking, routing, specimen handling, inventory support, and logs; training modules and ad hoc projects; requires a high school diploma and 1+ year in a clinical laboratory setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ years in a clinical laboratory setting preferred.
• 1–2 years of data entry experience preferred.
• Medical background or lab terminology experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Understand and follow SOPs, QC processes, and safety rules.
• Receive and accession specimens and requisitions; verify labeling accuracy.
• Data entry and order verification in the LIMS.
• Prepare specimens for testing across departments and route appropriately.
• Maintain clean and compliant workspace and logs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

Computer skills

English fluency

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

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, storage, and problem resolution

• 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.

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 preferred
• Medical 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

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search. Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications. 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. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis. At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture our 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.