Lab Associate 3 Clinical

Montgomery College; Nashville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt Health in Nashville, TN is seeking a Specimen Receiving - 3rd Shift to triage and process advanced specimens independently. The role requires collaboration with laboratory staff, medical staff, and external customers to troubleshoot and resolve issues.

Responsibilities include sorting and batching specimens, accessioning, pre-analytic processing, and providing general clerical support while maintaining quality and safety standards in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Responsibilities: Sorting, triaging, receiving, sending, processing and batching specimens.
• Accessioning specimens received with a requisition.
• Processing samples pre-analytically for testing.
• Processing test add-ons and resolving any pre-analytical specimen or test issues.
• Providing general clerical support.

Responsibilities

• Sorting, triaging, receiving, sending, processing and batching specimens.
• Accessioning specimens received with a requisition.
• Processing samples pre-analytically for testing.
• Processing test add-ons and resolving any pre-analytical specimen or test issues.
• Providing general clerical support.

Skills

Laboratory Practices

Specimen Handling

Customer Service

Quality Assurance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world‑class care to the people of the Mid‑South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization: Specimen Receiving - 3rd Shift

Job Summary: Triages and processes advanced specimen independently. Works closely with all laboratory staff, medical staff, and external customers including advanced troubleshooting and problem resolution. Performs packing and shipping of laboratory specimens to be sent out to referring laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

• Sorting, triaging, receiving, sending, processing and batching specimens
• Accessioning specimens received with a requisition
• Processing samples pre‑analytically for testing
• Processing test add‑ons and resolving any pre‑analytical specimen or test issues
• Providing general clerical support

The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

Laboratory Practices (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate laboratory practices in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments. Quality Assurance (Novice): Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, constantly striving for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in the process of establishing, communicating and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to actually work on and improve a current business process, product or service. Pathology (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of pathology in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job. Specimen Collection (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of specimen collection in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering specimen collection services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job. Customer Service (Intermediate): Keeps management informed on all aspects of one or more projects. Takes personal responsibility to ensure external and internal customer satisfaction is met despite pressures and/or significant obstacles. Discusses options with customers for alternative ways to meet expectations cost‑effectively and efficiently. Commands respect and confidence from customers, and identifies, influences and creates business opportunities. Negotiates with customers for changes in service levels, understanding the business rationale for those changes. Deals with unexpected customer demands smoothly and without conflict. Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution. Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas. Team Interaction: Acts as a “go‑to” resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams.

Core Capabilities: Supporting Colleagues

• Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.
• Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.
• Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one’s own communication style to suit different situations and audiences.

Core Capabilities: Delivering Excellent Services

• Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.
• Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.
• Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees’ effectiveness.

Core Capabilities: Ensuring High Quality

• Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.
• Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them.
• Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring.

Core Capabilities: Managing Resources Effectively

• Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.
• Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.
• Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities.

Core Capabilities: Fostering Innovation

• Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.
• Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short‑term challenges.
• Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications

• Responsibilities:
• Certifications:
• Work Experience: Relevant Work Experience
• Experience Level : 1 year
• Education: High School Diploma or GED

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled. PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF ALL WE DO. Great health care takes great people.

We’re looking for like‑minded individuals driven to make a difference. We invite you to explore careers at Vanderbilt Health, where we value collaboration, embrace continuous learning and foster an environment where everyone can thrive. We’re the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee, with a growing team and an expanding footprint across towns and communities throughout the region. We employ more than 43,000 people who work in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, research and graduate medical education. Our employees also serve in critical supporting roles in administration, information technology and informatics, finance, legal and community affairs, communications and marketing, fundraising, groundskeeping and facilities, and many other departments.

Three of our hospitals — Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital — have been awarded a Five‑Star Quality Rating from Medicare.

Our vision: The world leader in advancing personalized health. Our mission: Personalizing the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities.