Specimen Processing Clerk

Actalent; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an entry-level Specimen Processing Clerk in Whittier, CA to support high-volume laboratory operations. You will receive, process, and route specimens, load samples on automation lines, and register specimens in LIS systems such as EMD and Sunquest.

You will also provide phone-based customer service to internal and external stakeholders. The role emphasizes accuracy, adherence to SOPs, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment, with rotating weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Entry-level experience is acceptable; prior specimen processing or lab support is a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated attention to detail in handling specimens, paperwork, and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process incoming specimens accurately.
• Load samples onto automation line per procedures.
• Register specimens in LIS (EMD, Sunquest) ensuring data accuracy.
• Answer calls and provide professional customer service.
• Handle outpatient paperwork with attention to detail.
• Follow SOPs and safety protocols at all times.
• Participate in daily endorsements and handoffs between shifts.
• Perform data entry and specimen accessioning with precision.
• Collaborate with team for efficient workflows.
• Manage difficult callers professionally with strong problem-solving skills.

Skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Customer service

Communication

Data entry

Flexibility

Education

Science or laboratory-related field enrollment

Tools

EMD

Sunquest

Job description

Job Title: Specimen Processing ClerkJob Description

The Specimen Processing Clerk plays a key role in supporting highvolume laboratory operations by receiving, processing, and routing specimens. This entrylevel position focuses on accurately handling samples, loading them onto the automation line, registering specimens in laboratory information systems, and providing phone-based customer service to internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process incoming laboratory specimens in a timely and accurate manner.
• Load samples onto the automation line according to established procedures and workflow requirements.
• Register specimens in laboratory information systems, including EMD and Sunquest, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
• Answer incoming phone calls and provide professional, courteous customer service support.
• Handle paperwork for outpatient samples with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols at all times.
• Participate in daily endorsements and followups to maintain smooth handoffs between shifts and team members.
• Perform data entry and specimen accessioning tasks with precision in a highvolume environment.
• Collaborate with team members to support efficient, highthroughput laboratory workflows.
• Manage difficult or escalated callers professionally, using strong communication and problemsolving skills.

Essential Skills

• Entrylevel experience acceptable; prior specimen processing or laboratory support experience preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail when handling specimens, paperwork, and data entry tasks.
• Ability to multitask effectively in a highvolume, fastpaced environment.
• Customer service skills, including clear communication and professional phone etiquette.
• Ability to handle difficult callers professionally and calmly.
• Willingness and ability to quickly learn laboratory information systems, with EMD and Sunquest experience preferred.
• Competence in data entry and specimen accessioning.
• Reliability and flexibility to work rotating weekends and holidays.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Current enrollment in, or interest in, science or laboratoryrelated fields is common and beneficial.
• Familiarity with specimen processing workflows in a clinical or laboratory setting.
• Comfort working with automation lines and related laboratory equipment.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to follow detailed SOPs and safety procedures consistently.

Work Environment

This is a fulltime role in a highvolume laboratory environment that relies on automation lines and laboratory information systems such as EMD and Sunquest. The schedule includes rotating weekends and holidays, with a particular need for coverage on weekend mornings and afternoons. Variable shifts are available, with primary shift times including an AM shift from 5:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and PM shifts starting at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Flexibility to work different shifts and adapt to schedule changes is important. The work setting emphasizes adherence to SOPs and safety procedures, collaboration within a teamoriented environment, and consistent, professional interaction with callers and colleagues.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whittier, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Whittier,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

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.