Lab Assistant III - 1.0 FTE Full-Time Days (08-HR)

Join Stanford Health Care's Clinical Laboratory Services in Palo Alto — where innovation meets patient care. Our state-of-the-art laboratory operates 24/7, delivering advanced diagnostic testing that supports clinicians and improves patient outcomes across the health system. Be part of a collaborative team shaping the future of laboratory medicine.

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Pre-Analytical Supervisor or the Section Supervisor, you will be responsible for accessioning, receiving, and specimen processing, answering phones, faxing results upon request, and report distribution. You will assist in the training of new employees and/or students as needed, complete assignments with accuracy and in a timely manner, and exercise good judgment in recognizing and correcting irregularities or unusual requests.

Responsibilities

• Accession patient information accurately into the Laboratory computer system.
• Check all requests for proper and accurate patient information; consult with Supervisor, Lead, or Technologist when unclear or unusual requests are received.
• Notify physicians, nursing units, or clinics when samples received are inappropriate for testing or otherwise compromised.
• Distribute processed samples to appropriate laboratory areas, ensuring STAT requests are handled in a timely manner.
• Answer telephones, respond to inquiries regarding testing status, provide results, and transfer calls as necessary.
• Accurately record results from Reference labs.
• Assist with media preparation, reagent preparations, and glassware preparation when requested.
• Communicate with physicians, nurses, visitors, and other laboratory/hospital staff in a cooperative and courteous manner.
• Follow all departmental policies regarding attendance, punctuality, and health and safety.
• Independently resolve routine problems; escalate issues requiring Supervisor or Technologist assistance.
• Maintain clean work areas and dispose of waste appropriately.
• Stay current with laboratory procedures, techniques, and changes in all areas of the laboratory.
• Keep work areas well-stocked with necessary supplies and notify appropriate personnel when inventory is low.
• Maintain logs, records, and data in a legible and precise manner.
• Print, fax, and distribute reports via US mail or interdepartmental mail as requested.
• Provide backup coverage for monitoring the fax machine, handling incoming patient reports, scanning reports for CERNER and EPIC, and faxing results upon request.
• Provide orientation and training to Lab Assistants, including general lab procedures and nontechnical duties.
• Receive samples via pneumatic system, couriers, patients, or other hospital personnel; distribute samples appropriately.
• Report any abnormal circumstances with equipment, machinery, or other problems to the Supervisor or Lead.
• Understand patient care and laboratory priorities to assist others and ensure efficient workflow.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Skills

• Ability to establish good working relationships with a variety of professional, technical, and nontechnical staff.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, multi-task, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the job.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and other lab techniques (micro/viro).
• Knowledge of basic laboratory testing procedures, precautions, and use and care of common laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of instruments, methods, and materials used in a hospital laboratory.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of various nontechnical needs of a laboratory, usually acquired from previous work experience and/or schooling.
• Data entry skills.

Pay

Generally starting at $36.73 - $41.19 per hour. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.