Laboratory Assistant II

Christiana Care Health System; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical insurance

403(b) with employer match

Diverse and inclusive culture

Paid time off

12 week parental leave

Job summary

Christiana Care Health System in Newark, DE seeks a Morgue/Histology Assistant to manage specimen accessioning, transport, and filing of blocks and slides. You will assist in staining, prepare reagents, and support pathologists during autopsies, while maintaining morgue supplies and safety protocols.

The role requires a high school diploma, basic medical terminology knowledge, and the ability to handle deceased bodies with care.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
• Ability to learn laboratory techniques for safety, infection control and quality assurance.
• Ability to coordinate simultaneously timed staining procedure.
• Ability to effectively work with deceased bodies.
• Skill in manual dexterity and normal color vision.
• Skill in interpersonal and verbal communications.

Responsibilities

• Accessions and logs in specimens in Histology, Cytology and Autopsy.
• Transports specimens to/from the Histology Department.
• Files Histology tissue blocks and slides.
• Discards all specimens according to the specific procedure.
• Maintains all morgue supplies and cleans/disinfects morgue areas.
• Prepares reagent solutions and changes solutions in tissue processor and slide stainers.
• Assists in routine staining of Histology slides and distributes slides to pathologists.
• Releases body to morticians and prepares release forms.
• Maintains records of autopsy and amputation specimens.
• Assists Pathologists in performing autopsies and related duties.
• Performs work safely and reports hazards per safety rules.

Skills

Medical terminology

Lab techniques

Staining coordination

Deceased body handling

Manual dexterity

Color vision

Interpersonal communication

Education

High school graduate

Job description

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accessions and logs in specimens in Histology, Cytology and Autopsy.
• Transports specimens to/from the Histology Department.
• Files Histology tissue blocks and slides.
• Discards all specimens according to the specific procedure.
• Ensures quality control on all temperature charts and keeps records.
• Prepares some reagent solutions. Changes solutions in the tissue processor and slide stainers.
• Assists in routine staining of Histology slides.
• Assists in distributing slides to the pathologists and maintains appropriate records.
• Releases body to morticians.
• Maintains all morgue supplies
• Cleans and disinfects all morgue areas.
• Prepares and completes release forms for fetal remains and adult body releases.
• Maintains records of autopsy and amputation specimens.
• Assists Pathologists in performing autopsies by: a) obtaining patient charts and necessary documentation, b) transporting body to/from the autopsy table, c) opening and closing body cavity and removing organs, d) preparing body for mortician, and e) cleaning and disinfecting autopsy table and instruments.
• Performs assigned work safely, adhering to established departmental safety rules and practices; reports to the supervisor, in a timely fashion, any unsafe activities, hazards, or safety violations that may cause injury to oneself, other employees or visitors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

High school graduate or equivalent.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of basic medical terminology.

Ability to learn laboratory techniques for safety, infection control and quality assurance.

Ability to coordinate simultaneously timed staining procedure.

Ability to effectively work with deceased bodies.

Skill in manual dexterity and normal color vision.

Skill in interpersonal and verbal communications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Lifts bodies on and off autopsy table. On a daily basis, lifts solution containers weighing approximately 20 lbs. Constant standing, intermittent sitting and walking.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Generally pleasant laboratory environment. Exposure to danger of infection, toxic chemicals, cuts and punctures and extreme temperatures.

When you become an employee at ChristianaCare, you are joining a robust healthcare organization that truly cares about their patients and their caregivers. For the second consecutive year, Forbes magazine has ranked ChristianaCare as one of the best large health systems to work for in the United States! Guided by excellence and love, our Caregivers enjoy a multitude of employee benefits that include:

• Full Medical, Dental, Vision and other insurance benefits
• 403 (b) with an employer match
• Diverse and Inclusive culture
• Generous paid time off with annual roll-over and opportunities to cash out
• 12 week paid parental leave

Hourly Pay Range: $18.55 - $26.90This pay rate/range represents ChristianaCare's good faith and reasonable estimate of compensation at the time of posting. The actual salary within this range offered to a successful candidate will depend on individual factors including without limitation skills, relevant experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Christiana Care Health System is an equal opportunity employer, firmly committed to prohibiting discrimination, whose staff is reflective of its community, and considers qualified applicants for open positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Post End Date

Sep 8, 2026

EEO Posting Statement

ChristianaCare offers a competitive suite of employee benefits to maximize the wellness of you and your family, including health insurance, paid time off, retirement, an employee assistance program. To learn more about our benefits for eligible positions visit https://careers.christianacare.org/benefits-compensation/