Sample Handling Assistant

Actalent; United States; On-site; USD 20,457 - 29,136; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Sample Management Assistant in Indianapolis, IN to receive, prepare, and process clinical trial specimens in a fast-paced LPS team. You will ensure labeling accuracy, data entry, and specimen integrity while following SOPs.

The role requires 1+ year in sample management or warehouse, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and in a team within a metrics-driven environment. The position is onsite with a defined day shift and is contract-to-hire.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED completed.
• At least 1 year of sample management or warehouse experience.
• Experience with sample management, specimen processing, and handling.
• Attention to detail and ability to work accurately.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Receive shipments and complete receiving tasks for LPS.
• Resolve misrouted shipments and follow up as needed.
• Open and clean inbound shipments per SOPs.
• Maintain specimen integrity and proper temperature control.
• Enter patient demographics and data into the system.
• Operate equipment for sample prep, labeling, storage, and inventory control.
• Support GLP and QMS-aligned sample management activities.
• Collaborate to meet throughput and accuracy metrics.

Skills

High school diploma

GED

Sample management or warehouse経験

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in life science

Tools

SAP or similar enterprise systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Sample Management Assistant

This role supports a high-volume central laboratory by receiving, preparing, and processing irreplaceable clinical trial specimens within the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) team. The Sample Management Assistant ensures accurate sample handling, labeling, and data entry while maintaining specimen integrity and following established procedures and quality standards. The position operates basic to moderate laboratory and inventory equipment and works under the guidance of a Sample Management supervisor in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive shipments for the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) departments from multiple couriers and complete all related receiving tasks.
• Resolve misrouted shipments by identifying correct destinations and performing all related follow-up tasks.
• Open and clean inbound shipments in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Ensure quality control of discarded materials to prevent failures and promptly report any issues to management.
• Maintain the temperature of specimens in their received condition to preserve sample integrity.
• Scan shipments into the database and ensure accurate tracking of all incoming materials.
• Follow all standard procedures for sorting and routing samples to the appropriate destination departments.
• Perform kit receipt processes for inbound kits, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Perform quality control checks of requisitions to confirm that all required information is present and correct.
• Enter patient demographic information and related data accurately into the system.
• Operate basic to moderate equipment for sample preparation, processing, labeling, storage, and inventory control.
• Support sample management activities including sample prep, labeling, storage, and retrieval in alignment with good laboratory practices (GLP) and quality management system (QMS) requirements.
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to meet daily throughput and accuracy metrics while maintaining high quality standards.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma and/or GED completion.
• At least 1 year of sample management or warehouse experience.
• Experience with sample management, specimen processing, and specimen handling.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds and safely handle dry ice.
• Proficiency with computers, including use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with daily performance metrics.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline.
• Experience working in environments such as laboratories, blood banks, biobanks, or biological sample facilities.
• Familiarity with labeling, inventory management, and specimen storage workflows.

• Experience with industrial freezers and handling dry ice for sample storage.
• Experience with data entry and tracking processes in sample or inventory management systems.
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP).
• Experience working within a quality management system (QMS).
• Exposure to warehouse environments and SAP or similar enterprise systems.
• Background in sample prep, sample storage, and specimen management.

Work Environment

This role is based in a fast-paced central laboratory and sample management facility that supports healthcare diagnostics and drug development. The team processes approximately 1,000 samples per day, requiring consistent focus and efficiency. The standard shift runs from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The position involves mostly standing and walking throughout the shift, along with regular lifting of 30+ pounds and handling of dry ice and industrial freezers to maintain appropriate storage conditions. Work is primarily independent, with clearly defined metrics and performance expectations for each shift, while also providing regular opportunities to collaborate with teammates and management. The environment is structured, process-driven, and supported by technologies such as laboratory information systems, inventory tools, and Microsoft Office applications, all within a framework of good laboratory practices and a quality management system.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Indianapolis, IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.