Laboratory Assistant 1

St. Luke's Health System; Nampa (ID); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s Health System in the Treasure Valley is seeking a dedicated Laboratory Assistant to support phlebotomy, specimen processing, and client services across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You will participate in venipuncture, labeling, data entry in LIS, and tissue handling with a patient-centered approach. The role offers a Flex schedule (8–32 hours per pay period, up to 40 hours/week) with day, night, weekend, and holiday availability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program or equivalent experience.
• National certification (e.g., ASCP, NHA, NCCT) preferred.
• One year of experience in a clinical or hospital-based laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with EHR and LIS systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform venipuncture and capillary blood collection following safety and quality standards.
• Accurately identify patients and label specimens to maintain integrity.
• Provide compassionate, patient-centered care during collection.
• Maintain cleanliness and readiness of phlebotomy workstations and equipment.
• Receive, verify, and process specimens from inpatient and outpatient sources.
• Enter data into LIS and resolve discrepancies with clinical teams.
• Document interactions and escalate unresolved issues per protocol.
• Package, send, and receive tissue specimens.
• Handle hazardous chemicals and operate sensitive lab equipment safely.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Patient safety & service excellence

Education

Phlebotomy training/certification

High school diploma or equivalent

National certification preferred (ASCP/NHA/NCCT)

Tools

EHR

LIS

Job description

Location: St. Luke’s Health System – Treasure valley locations; Nampa, Meridian, Boise Department: Laboratory Services Status: Flex- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

• Overview: St. Luke’s Health System is currently seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Laboratory Assistant to join our Laboratory Services team. This position plays a critical role in supporting diagnostic and clinical operations across multiple service areas, including inpatient/outpatient phlebotomy, specimen processing, client services, and histology. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, accuracy, and a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.
• What does Flex mean?

Flex employees work between 8 to 32 hours per pay period (every two weeks). Hours/schedules are made in advance according to the employees availability and the needs of the department. The shifts and the hours will vary from week to week. The ideal candidate is available days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Details for the Flex schedule:

• You have to be available to train full time for the first 4 to 6 weeks. After that your schedule can vary from 8 to 40 hours per week.
• Employees are given their schedules at least one pay period in advance. This is not an "on call" scenario.
• Flex positions are not benefits eligible

Key Responsibilities

• Perform venipuncture and capillary blood collection procedures, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Accurately identify patients and label specimens to maintain specimen integrity and traceability.
• Provide compassionate, patient-centered care, addressing concerns and ensuring a positive experience during the collection process.
• Maintain cleanliness and operational readiness of phlebotomy workstations and equipment.

Specimen Processing

• Receive, verify, and process specimens from both inpatient and outpatient sources in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Prepare specimens for analysis or transport, ensuring proper handling, storage, and documentation.
• Accurately enter data into the laboratory information system (LIS) and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with clinical teams.
• Monitor specimen quality and maintain chain of custody throughout the processing workflow.

Client Services

• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for providers and clinical staff by responding to inquiries related to laboratory testing and specimen requirements.
• Utilize internal resources and subject matter expertise to ensure accurate and timely information is provided.
• Document interactions and elevate complex or unresolved issues to appropriate personnel in accordance with established protocols.
• Perform pathology slide quality control and ensure accurate and timely distribution to pathologists.
• Package, send, and receive tissue specimens.
• Handle hazardous chemicals and operate sensitive laboratory equipment in compliance with safety protocols.
• Maintain specimen integrity and documentation throughout the processing cycle.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited phlebotomy training program or equivalent experience.
• National certification (e.g., ASCP, NHA, NCCT) preferred.
• One (1) year of experience in a clinical or hospital-based laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Someone that is looking to grow in the health care field specifically in Lab work.

Core Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Commitment to patient safety, confidentiality, and service excellence.

What's in it for you

At St. Luke’s, caring for people in the communities we serve is our mission – and this includes our own SLHS team. We offer a robust benefits package to support our teams both professionally and personally. In addition to a competitive salary and retirement plans, we ensure our team feels supported in their benefits beyond the typical medical, dental, and vision offerings. We care about you and have fantastic financial and physical wellness options, such as: on-site massages, on-site counseling via our Employee Assistance Program, access to the Personify Health Wellness tool, as well as other formal training and career development offerings to ensure you are meeting your career goals.

St. Luke’s is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by law.

*Please note: this posting is not reflective of all job duties and responsibilities and is intended to provide an overview to job seekers.