Laboratory Assistant

Position Overview The Laboratory Assistant at United Health Services (UHS) plays an important role in supporting laboratory services and patient care. This position helps ensure specimens are handled accurately and efficiently from collection through testing, while maintaining quality standards and supporting the flow of information within the laboratory. The Laboratory Assistant also helps keep daily operations running smoothly by managing supplies, supporting laboratory processes, and working closely with patients, caregivers, providers, and colleagues to deliver reliable service and coordinated care where every connection matters.

Primary Department, Division, or Unit:

Lab Services, UHS Hospitals and Physician Practices Primary

Work Shift:

Rotational Regular Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40

Compensation Range:$17.05 - $22.17 per hour, depending on experience-Job Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Coordinate specimen processing activities by receiving, labeling, assessing, centrifuging, aliquoting, storing, and retrieving specimens to support accurate and timely laboratory testing

Enter patient demographics, insurance information, and test orders into laboratory systems with accuracy to support efficient registration, tracking, and results workflow

Prepare, track, package, and ship specimens to internal laboratory sites and external reference laboratories, resolving routine specimen issues according to established guidelines

Maintain laboratory supplies and inventory, support reagent and consumable ordering, and assist with supply evaluations to promote operational readiness and continuity of care Monitor and document environmental, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures to help protect specimen integrity and maintain laboratory quality standards

Transport specimens, requisitions, and reports within the hospital and between laboratory departments

Support analyzer setup by loading carriers, cassettes, and specimen racks

Scope and Impact:

Contribute directly to turnaround time, specimen integrity, laboratory quality, and patient experience by ensuring work is completed accurately, safely, and on schedule

Exercise judgment within defined procedures by identifying specimen quality concerns, validating collection details, and escalating issues that could affect testing or patient safety

Work under supervision while managing assigned laboratory support, clerical, and patient-facing responsibilities across inpatient, outpatient, and reference testing workflows

Build strong connections with patients, caregivers, and laboratory colleagues to support a coordinated care experience and dependable service across the organization

Compliance and Professional:

Follow laboratory, departmental, infection control, NYSDOH, CDC, and blood and body fluids requirements during specimen collection, processing, handling, transport, and shipping

Protect patient privacy and handle clinical information in accordance with HIPAA access expectations and organizational confidentiality standards

Complete required training, education, and competency validations within established timelines to maintain readiness for assigned laboratory support duties

Use required personal protective equipment and safe work practices when handling blood, body fluids, hazardous materials, and potentially infectious specimens

Maintain accurate documentation and promptly report quality, safety, equipment, or specimen concerns through appropriate escalation channels

Safeguard sensitive data by following established security policies and procedures, using systems responsibly, and promptly reporting potential security incidents, risks, or policy violations

As applicable to your role, support cybersecurity and data protection requirements throughout the supplier lifecycle by coordinating vendor risk assessments, monitoring third-party compliance, and promptly reporting identified supply chain or cybersecurity risks

Additional Expectations:

Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, providers, and colleagues to support service excellence and a positive care experience

Support a clean, organized, and well-stocked work environment that promotes safety, readiness, and efficient laboratory operations

Participate in departmental improvement efforts and adapt to changing workflows, priorities, and operational needs in a fast-paced healthcare setting

Participate in and apply principles learned in Customer Service Training Demonstrate UHS Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation in…