Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist

MercyOne Medical Group; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness programs

Education reimbursement

Health insurance plans includingDental

Paid time off

Long- and short-term leave

Retirement planning

Life insurance coverage

Job summary

MercyOne Medical Group seeks a Lab Assistant to support laboratory services and patient care. You will greet patients, collect specimens, and assist with timely, accurate results in a day-shift role. Join a team that improves patient outcomes through careful specimen handling and clear communication.

Responsibilities include venipuncture, specimen labeling, and coordinating draws while maintaining a clean, safe environment and supporting lab operations and reporting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with blood collection and specimen handling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist patients in a professional, compassionate manner.
• Collect blood specimens using venipuncture and capillary collection techniques.
• Verify patient identity and follow specimen collection protocols.
• Ensure specimens are collected accurately and with minimal patient discomfort.
• Label specimens correctly at the bedside or point of collection.
• Monitor patients for adverse reactions and provide appropriate site care.
• Coordinate inpatient blood draws and prioritize collections based on patient needs.
• Communicate important information during shift changes and throughout the day.
• Receive, verify, and process specimens for testing.
• Provide patient reports and answer general laboratory-related questions.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Skills

Blood collection

Specimen handling

Patient care

Communication

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

As a Lab Assistant, you'll play a vital role in patient care by supporting the laboratory services that help providers make informed treatment decisions. An estimated 60-80% of medical diagnoses and treatment decisions are influenced by laboratory testing, making the work you do an essential part of the patient care journey.

Employment Type

Full time

Shift

Day Shift

Description

As a Lab Assistant, you'll play a vital role in patient care by supporting the laboratory services that help providers make informed treatment decisions. An estimated 60-80% of medical diagnoses and treatment decisions are influenced by laboratory testing, making the work you do an essential part of the patient care journey. In this role, you'll greet patients, collect and process specimens, and support laboratory operations to ensure accurate, timely results. If you're looking to be part of something meaningful and make an impact behind the scenes of healthcare, this is an opportunity to join a team that helps drive better outcomes every day.

Schedule

• Day shift, 5 am - 1:30 pm
• 8-hour shifts
• Every other weekend rotation
• Rotating holiday coverage

What You'll Do

Patient Care & Specimen Collection

• Greet and assist patients in a professional, compassionate manner.
• Collect blood specimens using venipuncture and capillary collection techniques.
• Verify patient identity and follow specimen collection protocols.
• Ensure specimens are collected accurately and with minimal patient discomfort.
• Label specimens correctly at the bedside or point of collection.
• Monitor patients for adverse reactions and provide appropriate site care.
• Coordinate inpatient blood draws and prioritize collections based on patient needs.
• Communicate patient concerns or collection-related issues to the appropriate care team.
• Respond to urgent situations, including Code Blue and trauma events.
• Perform home draw collections as needed.
• Support timely specimen transport to the laboratory.
• Communicate important information during shift changes and throughout the day.

Laboratory Processing & Support

• Receive, verify, and process specimens for testing.
• Ensure laboratory orders, labels, and documentation are complete and accurate.
• Distribute specimens to the appropriate testing areas.
• Process and prepare specimens for referral and send-out testing.
• Package and ship laboratory materials through approved carriers.
• Provide patient reports and answer general laboratory-related questions.
• Manage laboratory inventory and maintain adequate supply levels.
• Fill supply requests for hospital departments and clinic locations.
• Answer incoming calls and assist providers, staff, and patients with laboratory inquiries.
• Perform clerical duties such as filing, faxing, scanning, and photocopying.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Utilize laboratory and hospital computer systems to support daily operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Position Highlights And Benefits

We care about your well-being, both physical and mental, which is why our benefit package includes:

• Wellness programs
• Education reimbursement
• Personalized health insurance plans including dental and vision
• Paid time off
• Long- and short-term leave
• Retirement planning
• Life insurance coverage

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.