Principal Laboratory Assistant

University Hospital; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital is seeking a Principal Laboratory Assistant to perform routine and special procedures, prepare specimens for reference labs, and support central Chemistry processing. You will maintain filing systems, manage inventories, and ensure quality, safety, and compliance in a fast-paced lab environment.

The role emphasizes patient-centered service, accurate specimen handling, and collaboration with clinical and nursing staff to support high-quality care in a major academic medical

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of related laboratory experience required.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform job duties.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient-centered service.
• Create a friendly, welcoming, and safe environment for UH customers; respond to complaints and concerns promptly.
• Organize work processes to meet internal and external customer needs and exceed service expectations.
• Serve as a role model for Service Excellence and maintain professional composure.
• Collaborate with team to meet customer service targets and protect patient rights.
• Prepare specimens for reference laboratories and ensure compliance with lab standards and proper disposal of specimens.
• Manage laboratory computer systems and administrative tasks related to test ordering and communicating results.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

About The Role

The primary purpose of the Principal Laboratory Assistant position is to perform routine and special procedures and duties, processes and prepares specimens for reference laboratory pick-up, makes reports from reference laboratories available to clinical and surgical units, out-patient clinics, etc. Maintains filing system for the records, under the direction of the Chief Technologist and Section Head. Process specimens for the central Chemistry testing, maintains supplies, save/store specimens according to policies and procedures. Principal Laboratory Assistants play a large role in the upkeep of the laboratory. This includes managing laboratory inventory, preparing and cleaning lab instruments, ensuring work areas are clean and performs clerical duties when necessary.

University Hospital is mission driven, at the heart of one of the region’s leading academic medical centers. We are passionate about building an inclusive, supportive, and innovative workplace where employees thrive and make a real impact. If you're energized by collaboration, purpose-driven work, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful changes in healthcare, you'll find a rewarding environment in our department.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Service provided is patient centered.
• Actively contributes to creating a friendly, welcoming, and safe environment for UH customers. Communicates clearly to ensure understanding. Responds to complaints and concerns by resolving issues immediately whenever possible.
• Organizes work process to accommodate customer needs, including internal customers and co-workers. Meets or exceeds customer expectations for service.
• Acts as a role model for Service Excellence. Maintains professional composure in the workplace.
• Works effectively with team to ensure customer service scores for work area meet/exceed targets. Demonstrates respect for patient rights.
• Performs technical and clerical preparation specimens for reference laboratories. Assures specimens meet laboratory standards, documents any quality issues, and ensures specimens are discarded properly.
• Manages laboratory specific computer system and clerical based functions to assure proper test ordering as well as communication of patient outcomes when necessary.
• Notification of unsuitable specimens and inappropriate collections to phlebotomy, nursing, and medical staff. Performs and records temperature checks as required.
• Performs routine laboratory deionized water checks. Processes specimens for Central Chemistry-Processing Area.
• Washes and/or sterilizes glassware and centrifuges. Prepares media for patient molecular testing. Meets productivity standard set by department.
• Understands and adheres to University Hospital’s compliance standards as they appear in University Hospital's Corporate Compliance Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and University Hospital regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) year of related laboratory experience is required preferably in a health care environment.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform job duties.

Compensation (NJ Job Transparency Law)

The rate for this position is $20.44 per hour, in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Law; final compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About Us

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. As the principal teaching affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the only state-certified Level 1 Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, University Hospital is training the next generation of physicians and advancing science to discovery while taking exceptional care of patients, regardless of their financial situation.