Laboratory Assistant – Arcadia Clinical Lab - Per Diem 8 Hour Days (Non-Exempt) (Non-Union)

University of Southern California; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Laboratory Assistant/Courier role at University of Southern California supports the department by obtaining blood samples, preserving specimen integrity, and ensuring proper transport, processing, and preparation of specimens.

The position also covers clerical duties, answering inquiries, disseminating reports, and coordinating with referral laboratories; coverage for other locations may be required. This role emphasizes patient safety and departmental quality initiatives.

Qualifications

• High school or equivalent.
• Specialized/technical training.
• Graduate from an accredited Phlebotomy Program.
• Organization/time management skills.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service behavior.

Responsibilities

• Obtains blood sample specimens by venipuncture or capillary methods in response to testing requests.
• Receives and screens specimens for acceptability per guidelines.
• Delivers blood products to Surgery and transports surgical specimens to appropriate sections.
• Processes, distributes or packages all specimens received (except Anatomic Pathology).
• Handles inquiries for lab results, specimen status and general information.
• Communicates professionally with patients, co-workers and guests; adheres to policies.
• Provides coverage for other locations as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Organization/time management

Communication with patients

Education

Graduate from an accredited Phlebotomy Program

High school or equivalent

Job description

The Laboratory Assistant is the department's primary support system and is responsible for procuring blood samples from patients, for preserving the integrity of specimens and for proper transporting, processing and preparation of all samples. Support from Laboratory Assistants also includes clerical functions such as answering telephone inquiries from other departments of the facility, dissemination of laboratory reports and communicating with referral laboratories utilized by the department.

The Laboratory Assistant/Courier is the Department's primary support system and is responsible for procuring blood samples from patients, for preserving the integrity of specimens and for proper transporting, processing and preparation of all samples. Support from Laboratory Assistants also includes clerical functions such as answering telephone inquiries from other departments of the facility, dissemination of laboratory reports and communicating with referral laboratories utilized by the department. May need to provide coverage for other locations.

Essential Duties

• Obtains blood sample specimens by venipuncture or capillary methods in response to requests for testing by clinicians, with appropriate consideration for the age of the patient.
• Receives and screens specimens with regard to acceptability as defined by established guidelines.
• Delivers of blood products to Surgery and for the delivery of surgical specimens to the appropriate sections of the Laboratory.
• Processes, distributes or packages all specimens received (except Anatomic Pathology samples).
• Responsible for handling all inquiries for lab results, specimen status and general information regarding the Department and its functions.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and professionally with patients, co-workers and guests of the institution, with appropriate consideration for the age of the patient.
• Adheres to established Hospital and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Carries out additional clinical and clerical duties to meet the needs of the Department.
• Maintains professional growth and development.
• Actively participates in Department’s Quality Improvement program.
• May need to provide coverage for other locations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Req High school or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training
• Req Graduate from an accredited Phlebotomy Program
• Req Organization/time management skills.
• Req Demonstrate excellent customer service behavior.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pref 1 year Experience in Phlebotomy (preferably in an acute care facility setting).

Required Licenses/Certifications

• Req Certified Phlebotomy Technician - CPT (CA DPH)
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.00 - $34.18.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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Keck Medicine of USC is the University of Southern California's medical enterprise, one of only two university-based medical systems in the Los Angeles area. Keck Medicine combines academic excellence, world-class research and state-of-the-art facilities to provide highly specialized care for some of the most acute patients in the country. Our internationally renowned physicians and scientists provide world-class patient care at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital and more than 100 unique clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Tulare and Ventura counties. Keck Medical Center of USC, which includes Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, is among the top 50 hospitals in the country in 8 specialties, as well as the top three hospitals in metro Los Angeles and top 10 hospitals in California, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 Best Hospitals rankings.