Research Laboratory Assistant

Lab Assistant PASADENA, CA 6+ Month Contract - Possible Temp To Perm PAY: $24.50/hr W 2  • Duration of Assignment: ABOUT 6 MONTHS - MAY THEN CONVERT IF BUDGET ALLOWS AND APPROPRIATE FIT, ETC. • Work hours: 8AM - 430PM (may shift hours by 30 minutes or so, depending on need) • Dress code: OFFICE ATTIRE, PREFERABLY TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES SINCE THERE IS SOME INTERACTION WITH TECHS IN LAB AREAS: Similar to other lab employees, you should wear pants (no shorts) and short or long sleeved shirts. You may want to bring along a sweater as the AC is a little unpredictable and can get mighty powerful sometimes. Shoes must be non-absorbent, and closed toe. Nails must be kept short, and hair must be tied back, if long. We encourage a semi-professional appearance. No tank tops, leggings, or anything that would not be considered appropriate for the work environment. Scrubs are ok, as are jeans and t-shirts. We will provide you with lab coat, goggles, gloves, etc., as well as a notebook for training notes. We also provide face masks, as needed. • Parking: LOT NEXT TO BUILDING (Free in this lot only) If parking else where on campus a parking pass will be required at worker expense. • Dress code: pants (no shorts) and short or long-sleeved shirts. You may want to bring along a sweater as the AC is a little unpredictable and can get mighty powerful sometimes. Shoes must be non-absorbent, and closed-toe. Nails must be kept short, and hair must be tied back, if long. We encourage a semi-professional appearance. No tank tops, leggings, or anything that would not be considered appropriate for the work environment. Scrubs are ok, as are jeans and t-shirts. • Parking: Free Job Description: Lab Assistant - role and responsibilities The Lab Assistant role has 3 main functions. 1). Specimen Processing (please note, current order is mostly Specimen Processing but will cross train) 2). Office (patient past sheets, billing, data entry) 3). General Lab tasks. 1). Specimen Processing The Lab Assistant will receive blood samples that are delivered by mail, Fed Ex, courier, etc. The samples are assigned a unique id bar code and prepped for testing. The Lab Assistant will need to have excellent attention to detail to properly handle samples. The samples must be prepped for testing - separate the blood from the serum using a centrifuge. The Lab Assistant will also check the paperwork that is received and check for accuracy and completeness. The Lab Assistant must have excellent trouble shooting skills to resolve any issues or concerns regarding the paperwork or sample received. They must have excellent customer service skills to interface with the customer (other labs, doctors' offices, Norris and Keck Medical Centers). The Lab Assistant will also assign a bar code to each sample. The Specimen Processing area is crucial to the Endocrine lab. If a sample is not prepped correctly or assigned to the wrong patient, it is a huge issue that would negatively impact the creditability of the lab. The Specimen Processing area does not perform the data entry related to the sample processing. The data entry process is performed by a related team at the lab. The Lab Assistant will need to have experience and be proficient with MS Excel and MS Word. 2). Office The Lab Assistant may carry out various tasks in the office setting, including preparation of patient past sheets, verification of patient records/data entry, preparation of patient documents for billing purposes, dispersal of patient reports (fax, email, mail, etc.), among other administrative tasks. 3). General Lab The Lab Assistant also carries out other general laboratory tasks, such as organizing, archiving, and pulling samples to and from freezers, taking temperatures of storage units, instrument maintenance tasks, routine inventory checks, among other laboratory duties. Ideal Candidate Profile and Logistics The Lab Assistant role is ideal for an individual with experience or knowledge in medical office or lab environment. BA/BS degree is not required. The lab is a serious work environment and workers who are less extraverted will be a better fit. The ideal candidate has 6-12 months experience working in a lab at school or professional environment. Past lab experience, is "very helpful" but, not required. Volunteer work is acceptable as well. The following core attributes/soft skills are IMPORTANT to have: Problem solver - must seek accurate information and not assume Strong communicator Strong customer service skills Strong interpersonal skills - will interact with peers in the lab and customers (Norris, Keck Medical Centers, other labs, etc). Must get along well with others Excellent attention to detail Ability to perform work consistently and with a great deal of accuracy Lab or business acumen - know how to function in a work setting The department provides an intense level of training to their temporary workers and they are searching for the right fit for a possible long term position. The department would ideally like to move the temporary Lab Assistant role to a Lab Tech role in the long term. However, there are no guarantees for promotion or full time positions. The Lab Assistant position is ideal for candidates who are searching for an opportunity working in a lab and understand the position is a long term commitment. The lab is not ideal for candidates who are searching for big challenges and want to make discoveries each day in a lab. The lab is not an ideal fit for workers who want repetitive work. Must be able to commute to the lab and be punctual. Must have a professional appearance.

Created: 2025-06-06