Laboratory Assistant - Pre-Analytics - Per Diem 8 Hour Rotating Shifts (Non-Exempt) (Union)

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California's Keck Hospital seeks a Laboratory Assistant to assist in phlebotomy, specimen handling, and clerical duties. The role requires a phlebotomy program graduate with CPT certification and strong computer skills. Prior experience in acute care is preferred.

The position supports patient care, ensures specimen integrity, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to deliver timely lab results. Attention to safety and quality standards is essential.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent and specialized/technical training.
• Graduate from an accredited phlebotomy program is required.
• One year of phlebotomy experience preferred, ideally in acute care.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Obtains blood samples by venipuncture or capillary methods per clinician requests.
• Receives and screens specimens for acceptability.
• Delivers blood products and surgical specimens as needed.
• Processes, distributes or packages specimens; handles lab result inquiries.
• Maintains communication with patients and colleagues; adheres to hospital policies.
• Participates in department quality improvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Written & verbal communication

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Phlebotomy program graduate

Specialized/technical training

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

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 it’s 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Req High school or equivalent
• Req Specialized/technical training
• Graduate from an accredited Phlebotomy Program
• Req 1 year Experience in Phlebotomy (preferably in an acute care facility setting).
• Req Computer skills in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Req Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Req Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Pref Experience in Phlebotomy (preferably in an acute care facility setting).
• 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)

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital’s world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $23.92 - $40.66.

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.

Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment

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.