Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Geisinger; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits day one

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) plan

Disability & life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) in Pennsylvania is seeking a Laboratory Assistant I/II for evening hours, responsible for processing patient specimens, labeling, and ensuring data accuracy within a clinical lab environment. You will handle potentially infectious materials and maintain compliance with safety standards.

Primary duties include preparing specimens, operating LIS, and coordinating with testing areas to deliver timely results.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required for Laboratory Assistant I; less than 1 year experience.
• Bachelor or Associate degree in clinical or related science accepted for Laboratory Assistant II; ASCP MLA certification also acceptable.
• Experience with laboratory safety and handling of specimens preferred.
• Proficiency with computer applications and LIS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Process patient specimens for testing in Laboratory Medicine sections.
• Handle potentially infectious materials following regulatory standards.
• Match orders with specimen information to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
• Prepare and label specimens; centrifuge, aliquot, and transport as needed.
• Maintain logs, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Specimen processing

Laboratory safety

Computer applications

Phone inquiries handling

Education

HS diploma or GED

Bachelor or Associate in clinical science

Tools

Laboratory information systems (LIS)

Computers

Job description

Location: Geisinger Medical Center (GMC)

Shift: Evenings (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Worker Type: Regular

Exemption Status: No

Job Duties:

• Assesses, accessions, and processes patient specimens in preparation for testing in the various sections of Laboratory Medicine.
• Safely handles potentially infectious blood, body fluids, body tissues and other patient specimens in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Assesses suitability and acceptability of patient specimens.
• Rejects unacceptable specimens according to established protocols.
• Matches order information with specimen information to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
• Accessions and results according to procedure via appropriate computer application.
• Correctly assigns billing numbers, location codes, and physician numbers.
• Verifies physician orders when test requests are unclear.
• Prepares specimens as appropriate including centrifugation, aliquoting, labeling.
• Delivers prepared specimens to appropriate testing area in a timely manner.
• Applies laboratory programs to store specimens and to locate, retrieve, and process specimens for additional testing as requested.
• Maintains computer logs, quality control, disinfection procedures, and departmental assigned duties.
• Manages phone inquiries and provides information regarding specimen collection, transport, and patient results as appropriate.
• Navigates and accesses multiple computer applications as needed.
• Assists with packaging ordering and referral of specimens to reference laboratories in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation and commercial carrier regulations as required.
• Troubleshoots missing specimens and other preanalytical errors including courier log review, specimen archives.
• Maintains equipment, participates in established preventative maintenance program, and alerts supervisor of any equipment problems.
• Assists in proper handling, storage, and maintenance of supplies, notifies supervisor when inventory is low.
• Successfully completes initial and periodic competency assessments for all assigned job functions.
• Work is typically performed in a clinical environment.
• Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures.
• The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.
• Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Position Details:

• Laboratory Assistant I - less than 1 year of experience; HS diploma or GED
• Laboratory Assistant II – Minimum 1 year of experience or one of the following will be accepted in lieu of required experience: Bachelor or Associate degree in clinical or related science field OR Enrollment with a minimum of at least two semesters completed of an associate or bachelor’s degree in clinical or related science field that includes introductory classes in biology or chemistry OR ASCP Certified as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)

Hiring Incentive:

This position qualifies for a $5,000 SIGN ON BONUS for eligible candidates

Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) Microbiology Full time Evenings

Benefit Highlights:

• Full benefits (health, dental and vision) starting on day one
• Three medical plan choices, including an expanded network for out-of-area employees and dependents
• Pre-tax savings plans with healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan that includes automatic Geisinger contributions
• Generous paid time off (PTO) plan that allows you to accrue time quickly
• Up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year
• MyHealth Rewards wellness program to improve your health while earning a financial incentive
• Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance, parental leave pay, military leave pay and a free Care.com membership with discounted backup care for your loved ones
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Referrals for childcare, eldercare, & pet care; Access free legal guidance, mental health visits, work-life support, digital self-help tools and more
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, identity theft protection, universal life and pet and legal insurance
• We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners

OUR PURPOSE & VALUES:

KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves.

EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence.

LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow.

INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation.

SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes nine hospital campuses, a 550,000-member health plan, two research centers and the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. With nearly 24,000 employees and more than 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and benefits for domestic partners. Perhaps just as important, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality.

* Does not qualify for J-1 waiver. We are an affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Minorities are Encouraged to Apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status.