Lab Assistant

Job Summary

The Pathology Laboratory Assistant is responsible for supporting daily laboratory operations by assisting with accessioning, specimen processing, slide and block management, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Special Stains, and digital pathology workflows. This position ensures accurate patient and specimen identification, timely case processing, quality control of slides and digital images, and efficient communication with laboratory staff and clinics. The Pathology Laboratory Assistant maintains compliance with CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and laboratory policies while helping support laboratory turnaround times and operational efficiency.

Pathology Laboratory Assistant Duties

• Accession pathology cases into the Laboratory Information System (LIS) accurately and efficiently and assist with accessioning workflow as needed to support laboratory operations and turnaround times.
  • Enter pathology orders, patient demographics, insurance information, and provider information into the system.
  • Verify patient identifiers, specimen labeling, and requisition accuracy prior to accessioning.
  • Review requisitions for completeness and follow laboratory specimen acceptance and rejection policies.
  • Communicate efficiently and professionally with laboratory staff, providers, clinics, couriers, and management regarding specimen status, discrepancies, and workflow updates.
• Book and organize pathology slides and blocks for storage and retrieval.
  • Load and unload Immunohistochemistry (IHC) instruments and assist with daily workflow preparation.
  • Load and unload Special Stain instruments and maintain proper slide organization.
  • Perform manual special stains according to laboratory procedures and protocols.
  • Absorb and assist with digital pathology workflow, including loading and uploading slides into the digital pathology system.
  • Perform quality control (QC) review of scanned digital slides to ensure image quality and completeness prior to pathologist review.
  • Maintain proper specimens and slide identification throughout all laboratory processes.
  • Absorb and assist with slide filing, archiving, and retrieval requests.
• Follow CLIA, CAP, OSHA, and laboratory safety and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of laboratory work areas and equipment.
  • Absorb and communicate workflow issues, discrepancies, or equipment concerns to laboratory leadership.

Requirements

• Education/Licensure/Certification: BS Degree in Science. Transcripts must be presented before start date.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of medical transcription experience.
• Equipment: Computers, computer programs, information system(s), photocopiers, scanners, facsimile machines, dictation machines, postal machines, and telephones.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Good understanding of laboratory information systems and automated laboratory equipment. A critical thinker with strong attention to detail. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Outstanding analytical abilities.
• Physical Requirements: Physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to focus. Requires visual acuity and normal color perception.
• HIPAA/PHI Security Level: HIGH (Low, Medium, or High) Indicate the security access level of Protected Health Information (PHI) as necessary to perform essential key responsibilities of the position (access, utilize, disclose, store, and/ or dispose of PHI).
• Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday - Friday) 12:00 PM 8:00 PM Flexibility is required, as there may be occasions where coverage is needed as early as 6:00 AM (e.g., due to PTO or callouts).