Microbiology Lab Prep Assistant — Detail‑Oriented Support

Quest Diagnostics; Marlborough (CT); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day 1 Medical

Well-being programs

Blueprint for Wellness

Vacation and Health/Flex Time

6 Holidays + MyDay

401(k) match

Employee stock purchase plan

Life and disability insurance

FSAs

Annual incentive

Education assistance

Career advancement

Job summary

Quest Diagnostics is seeking a Prep Lab Assistant in Marlborough, MA. The role supports the Microbiology department with sample accessioning, specimen handling, QA/QC, and routine testing under supervision.

The position entails manual handling, strict adherence to PPE, and multi-tasking across stations. Benefits include comprehensive medical plans, 401(k) match, and performance incentives. Monday–Friday with rotational weekends; pay range reflects market rates.

Qualifications

• Accurate worker with attention to detail.
• Flexible with department scheduling needs.
• Able to stand for long periods and adapt to multi-department work.

Responsibilities

• Picks up samples from accessioning and sorts samples into appropriate racks.
• Answers phone and directs calls appropriately
• Unpacks and stores reagents and supplies
• Inventories and orders warehouse items
• Sorts samples and distributes them to setup hood; manages specimen library within time frames
• Decontaminates work areas as designated
• Performs waived tests under supervision
• Maintains work area in clean and organized condition
• Follows all PPE requirements
• Maintains designated laboratory equipment
• Performs QA/QC duties (eyewash checks, temperature readings)
• Loads urines onto Atlas for urinalysis
• Resolves unverified pending list for occult bloods and urinalysis
• Inoculates microbiology media based on site
• Prepares samples for processing (tissue grinders, centrifuging)
• Credits unacceptable / duplicate test requests; knows acceptable sites and specimens
• Places anaerobic culture plates in bags
• Loads blood bottles into Bactec machine
• Prints and separates worksheets
• Puts culture plates in incubators
• Prepares slides and samples for various tests
• Prepares malaria smears and Giardia/cryptosporidium testing
• Performs occult blood results
• Uses lab computer systems for labeling/inquiry/crediting
• Disposes of biohazardous waste
• Completes PAL forms
• Supports procedures, training manuals and checklists
• Assists with quality/process improvement
• Sets up media and supplies
• Completes training checklists and competency testing
• Discards specimens weekly
• All other duties as assigned

Skills

Accurate

Detail-oriented

Flexible scheduling

Interdepartmental flexibility

Stand for long

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

Quest Diagnostics is seeking a Prep Lab Assistant in Marlborough, MA. The role supports the Microbiology department with sample accessioning, specimen handling, QA/QC, and routine testing under supervision.

The position entails manual handling, strict adherence to PPE, and multi-tasking across stations. Benefits include comprehensive medical plans, 401(k) match, and performance incentives. Monday–Friday with rotational weekends; pay range reflects market rates.