Lab Assistant/Phlebotomist

MercyOne Medical Group; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Full benefits package

Job summary

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is seeking a Lab Assistant I to support multiple laboratory departments by collecting, processing, and reporting tests for patient diagnosis and treatment. You will handle specimens, ensure accurate labeling, and contribute to reliable test processes within a fast-paced hospital lab.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, 18+ years of age, and strong computer skills. Training in safety, regulatory compliance, and lab procedures is provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle operated and eligible to drive under Iowa law.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Completion of HHS Mandatory Reporter training within 3 months of hire.
• Laboratory experience and knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Able to work in a collaborative, shared leadership environment.
• Honesty, integrity and caring aligned with MercyOne/MercyHealth values.

Responsibilities

• Accept specimens and requisitions from internal and external customers and manage add-on orders and pending lists according to laboratory procedures.
• Identify patients and specimens using two identifiers and properly label containers.
• Register and log specimens in the LIS, evaluate specimen adequacy, and document in the patient record.
• Perform specimen processing including identification, aliquoting, plating, slide preparation, and required documentation.
• Assist in resolving problematic patient specimens and test orders in coordination with staff and clients.
• Follow safety, infection control, and chemical-handling procedures to support accurate testing and timely turnaround.
• Operate laboratory information systems to support data entry and workflow management.
• Restock supplies, participate in peer teaching, and engage in department or hospital committees as assigned.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable laws/regulations and MercyOne/Trinity Health policies.

Skills

Strong computer skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Ability to learn new systems quickly

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

LIS (Laboratory Information System)

Job description

Employment Type:Full timeShift:Day ShiftDescription:At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you need medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well.
MercyOne Central Iowa sets the standard for personalized and radically convenient care in the Des Moines metro area and surrounding counties. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, is the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and Iowa’s largest medical center, with 802 beds available. The hospital is one of the Midwest’s largest referral centers.
With more than 7,000 colleagues and a medical staff of almost 1,500 physicians and allied health professionals, MercyOne Central Iowa is one of Iowa’s largest employers.

Schedule:

• Monday - Friday, every 3rd weekend
• 4 am - 12:30 pm
  

POSITIONPURPOSE

The purpose of the LabAssistant Iposition is to support a variety of laboratory departments byassistingtechnicalstaffinthecollection,processing,analysis,andreportingoflaboratorytestsnecessaryforpatient diagnosisandtreatment.Therolerequirestheskillsneededtoensurespecimens,patientinformation,and testing workflows are handled accurately and efficiently. By contributing to reliable test processes and smoothlaboratoryoperations,thispositionhelpsmaintaintimelyturnaround,dataintegrity,andcompliance with quality and safety standards.

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Knows,understands,incorporates,anddemonstratestheTrinityHealthandMercyOneMission,Vision, and Values in behaviors, practices, and decisions.
• Acceptsspecimensandrequisitionsfrominternalandexternalcustomersandmanagesadd‑onorders and pending listsin accordance withlaboratory procedures.
• Identifiespatients and specimens using two unique patient identifiers and accurately labels specimen containers to ensure correct identification.
• RegistersandlogsspecimensintheLaboratoryInformationSystem(LIS),evaluatesspecimen adequacy and acceptability, and scans required documentation into the patient record.
• Performsspecimenprocessingsuchasproperidentification,aliquoting,platestreaking,slide preparation, special handling, andrequiredocumentationin accordance withlaboratory protocols.
• Assistsinresolvingproblematicpatientspecimensandtestordersincollaborationwithlaboratorystaff and clients.
• Follows safety, infection control, and chemical‑handling procedures and supports efficient workflowpractices that promoteaccuratetesting,timelyturnaround, and productivity expectations.
• Operateslaboratoryinformationsystemsproficientlytosupportaccuratedataentryandworkflowmanagement.
• Contributestogenerallaboratoryoperationsbyrestockingsupplies,participatinginpeerteaching,and engaging in department or hospital committees and projects as assigned.
• Otherdutiesasneededandassignedbylaboratoryleadership.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, TrinityHealth’s Organizational Integrity Program, Standards of Conduct, as well as other Trinity Health and
• MercyOnepoliciesandproceduresinordertoensureadherenceinamannerthatreflectshonest, ethical, and professional behavior.
  

ADDITIONALESSENTIALFUNCTIONS–DependentonDepartmentAssignment

• Performs venipunctures, finger sticks, and heel sticksappropriate topatient age (neonates throughgeriatric adults) and ensures proper specimen collection according to laboratory policy.
• Maydrivetopatientservicecentersorcarecenterstoperformphlebotomyservicesasneeded.
• Performslimitedtestingunderthesupervisionoftechnicalstaff.
• Performsinstrumentmaintenance,qualitycontrol,andcalibrationsaccordingtoestablishedprotocols.
• Assistsinthegrossroomasassigned.
• Preparestheareaforandassistspathologistswithfrozensectiontesting.
• Performsdistributionandfilingofslidesandblocks.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS

-HighschooldiplomaorGEDrequired.

-Ifapplicabletodepartmentassignment,mustmeetthefollowingrequirements:

• Possess a valid driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle operated and be eligible to drive under Iowa state law.
• Beatleast18yearsofage.
• MeetMercyOne’sQualityandAuthorizedDriversrequirements.
• CompletionoftheIowaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices(HHS)MandatoryReportertraining specific to the population served within three (3) months of hire.Colleagues employed and working solely in facilitieslocatedin Illinois are exempt from this requirementin accordance withapplicable state requirements.
• Laboratoryexperienceandknowledgeofmedicalterminologypreferred.
• Strongcomputerskillswiththeabilitytolearnnewsystemsandtoolsquickly.
• Mustbecomfortableoperatinginacollaborative,sharedleadershipenvironment.
• Mustpossessa personal presence that is characterized by a sense of honesty, integrity, and caring, with the ability to inspire and motivate others to promote the philosophy, mission, vision, goals, and values of Trinity Health andMercyOne.

PHYSICALANDMENTALREQUIREMENTSANDWORKINGCONDITIONS

• Must be able to set and organizeownwork priorities and adapt to them as they changefrequently. Mustbeabletoworkconcurrentlyonavarietyoftasks/projectsinanenvironmentthatmaybestressful, with individuals having diverse personalities and work styles.
• MustpossesstheabilitytocomplywithMercyOneandTrinityHealthpoliciesandprocedures.
• Work requires frequent movement within the laboratory and hospital, including reaching, grasping, walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, and performing repetitive motions associated with specimen collection, handling, and processing. Tasks also involve applying and removing labels, using a computer keyboard, retrieving supplies, and transporting specimens.
• Responsibilities may involve handling and lifting materials or suppliesgenerally upto 10 pounds, with occasionalexertionofupto50poundswhenmovingobjects.Whenapatientorobjectcannotbemoved safely, mechanicalassistancedevices oradditionalpersonnel must be used.
• Visualacuityisrequiredtoreadhandwrittenandelectronicdocumentation,inspectspecimens,interpret color‑dependent indicators, and safely use laboratory equipment, including sharps, analyzers, and computer systems.
• Must be able to communicate effectively to provide instructions, relay information, and interact with coworkers, patients, and clinical staff, using verbal, auditory, or other communication methods asappropriate.
• Duties require routine use of computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, and standard laboratory equipment, as well as occasional handling of office supplies or stored materials.
• Work is performed primarily in a hospital‑based or clinic laboratory setting with typical indoor environmentalconditions,includingmoderatenoiselevelsgeneratedbyequipmentandnormalclinicalactivity.
• Workmayinvolveexposuretochemicalhazards,bloodandbodyfluids,andotherpotentiallyinfectious materials.TheroleisincludedintheOSHAExposureControlPlanandrequiresadherencetoprotective measures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Colleagues ofMercyOneHealth System enjoy competitive compensation with a full benefits package and opportunity for growth throughout the system!

Visit MercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available to you atMercyOneHealth System’scircleofcare.

Want to learn more aboutMercyOneDes Moines? Click here: Find a Location Des Moines, Iowa (IA), MercyOne Des Moines

Des Moines

Iowa’s capital city offers a balanced urban-suburban experience with a cost of living below the national average.It’sranked among the top safest large metros and boasts strong education options, including highly rated public schools, private academies and nearby universities like Drake University and Grand View University. Cultural highlights include theaters, museums, musicfestivalsand a thriving food scene, while outdoor enthusiasts enjoy extensive parks and bike trails. Located just minutes from the airport, Des Moines offers easy access to regional attractions and a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.

MercyOneDes Moines Medical Center is a leading 656-bedacute‑care,not‑for‑profitCatholic hospital and one of Iowa’s largest employers. Founded in 1893,it’sthe longest continuously operating hospital in Des Moines. Accredited as a Top Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report, named one of Becker’s 100 Great Hospitals, and ranked among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals by IBM Watson Health. With Joint Commission Gold Seal accreditation, stroke and heart care awards, CAP-accredited lab and ACS-certified Cancer Center, this flagship facility offers comprehensive services includingrobotic surgery, cancer care, neurosciences, rehab, emergency/trauma, maternity, behavioral health and a robust nursing excellence program.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.