Laboratory Assistant

Rutherford Regional Health Systems; Rutherfordton (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Life insurance & disability

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Rutherford Regional Health System is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join a mission-driven team. You will review orders, register patients, and collect specimens, ensuring accuracy and safe handling. The role emphasizes patient identification, proper labeling, and coordination with nursing for timely collections.

You will participate in routine lab duties, inventory, and ongoing education, contributing to community health and quality care across our network.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma preferred.
• License/Certification: Phlebotomy Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review providers' orders, quick-register patients when needed, and enter appropriate laboratory tests per requisition.
• Verify patient identity using two patient identifiers prior to all collections.
• Obtain blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick; collect urine, throat, and nasal specimens per policy.
• Label specimens with two identifiers, date/time, and collector initials; ensure specimen integrity.
• Perform urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing per policy.
• Coordinate drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time.
• Resolve unusual test orders by contacting providers; escalate unresolved issues.
• Process specimens and distribute or ship to labs per policy.
• Maintain par levels and assist with weekly inventory.
• Participate in performance improvement and education; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Venipuncture

Specimen collection

Lab procedures

Patient safety

Education

High School diploma

Phlebotomy Certification preferred

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Job description

Schedule: Full-time, Wednesday - Friday 7a-730p

Your Experience Matters Rutherford Regional Health System is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others.

Schedule: Full-time, Wednesday - Friday 7a-730p

Your Experience Matters Rutherford Regional Health System is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network with facilities coast to coast. We are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others.

As a Laboratory Assistant joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

How You'll Contribute

• Review providers' orders, quick-register patients when needed, and enter appropriate laboratory tests per requisition.
• Verify patient identity using two patient identifiers prior to all collections.
• Obtain blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick; collect urine, throat, and nasal specimens per policy.
• Label specimens with at least two identifiers plus date/time and collector initials; ensure specimen integrity and proper handling/transport.
• Perform chain-of-custody urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing per policy.
• Coordinate therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time.
• Resolve unusual/unclear test orders by contacting the ordering provider, pathologist, nursing station, or reference lab; elevate unresolved issues to the supervisor.
• Process specimens and distribute to appropriate internal lab sections or ship to reference laboratories according to policy.
• Maintain par levels and assist with weekly departmental inventory of supplies.
• Participate in performance improvement and required education; perform other duties as assigned.

Why join us

We Believe That Investing In Our Employees Is The First Step To Providing Excellent Patient Care. In Addition To Your Base Compensation, This Position Also Offers

• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Financial Protection & PTO: Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Financial & Career Growth: Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Employee Well-being: Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Professional Development: Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What We're Looking For

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

• Education: High School diploma preferred.
• License/Certification: Phlebotomy Certification preferred.

More About Rutherford Regional Health System

Rutherford Regional Health System partnership with Duke LifePoint Healthcare is bringing the pieces together to transform healthcare in Rutherford County. Duke LifePoint Healthcare is a joint venture of Duke University Health System, one of the country's leading academic health systems, and LifePoint Health, a leading healthcare company dedicated to Making Communities Healthier. These two forces joined because of the shared interest in collaborating with hospitals, healthcare providers and patients to bring high quality, innovative healthcare services to communities. Duke LifePoint combines Duke's unparalleled expertise in clinical excellence and quality care with LifePoint's extensive resources and knowledge and experience operating community hospitals and healthcare organizations.

Rutherford Regional Health System includes the following: Rutherford Regional Medical Center, Rutherford Family Care, Rutherford East Family Care, Forest City Family Care, Chase Family Care, Polk Medical Specialties, Rutherford Orthopedics, Rutherford Urology, Rutherford Children's Care, Premier Women's Care, The Mammography Place, and Rutherford Surgical Associates.

EEOC Statement

"Rutherford Regional Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Rutherford Regional Health System is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment."\

Lifepoint Health is a leader in community-based care and driven by a mission of Making Communities Healthier. Our diversified healthcare delivery network spans 29 states and includes 63 community hospital campuses, 32 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals, and more than 170 additional sites of care across the healthcare continuum, such as acute rehabilitation units, outpatient centers and post-acute care facilities. We believe that success is achieved through talented people. We want to create places where employees want to work, with opportunities to pursue meaningful and satisfying careers that truly make a difference in communities across the country.