Sample Handling Assistant

About the role

This role supports a high-volume central laboratory by receiving, preparing, and processing irreplaceable clinical trial specimens within the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) team. The Sample Management Assistant ensures accurate sample handling, labeling, and data entry while maintaining specimen integrity and following established procedures and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Receive shipments for the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) departments from multiple couriers and complete all related receiving tasks.
• Resolve misrouted shipments by identifying correct destinations and performing all related follow-up tasks.
• Open and clean inbound shipments in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Ensure quality control of discarded materials to prevent failures and promptly report any issues to management.
• Maintain the temperature of specimens in their received condition to preserve sample integrity.
• Scan shipments into the database and ensure accurate tracking of all incoming materials.
• Follow all standard procedures for sorting and routing samples to the appropriate destination departments.
• Perform kit receipt processes for inbound kits, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
• Perform quality control checks of requisitions to confirm that all required information is present and correct.
• Enter patient demographic information and related data accurately into the system.
• Operate basic to moderate equipment for sample preparation, processing, labeling, storage, and inventory control.
• Support sample management activities including sample prep, labeling, storage, and retrieval in alignment with good laboratory practices (GLP) and quality management system (QMS) requirements.
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to meet daily throughput and accuracy metrics while maintaining high quality standards.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and/or GED completion.
• At least 1 year of sample management or warehouse experience.
• Experience with sample management, specimen processing, and specimen handling.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds and safely handle dry ice.
• Proficiency with computers, including use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with daily performance metrics.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline.
• Experience working in environments such as laboratories, blood banks, biobanks, or biological sample facilities.
• Familiarity with labeling, inventory management, and specimen storage workflows.
• Experience with industrial freezers and handling dry ice for sample storage.
• Experience with data entry and tracking processes in sample or inventory management systems.
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP).
• Experience working within a quality management system (QMS).
• Exposure to warehouse environments and SAP or similar enterprise systems.
• Experience in sample prep, sample storage, and specimen management.

Skills

• High school diploma and/or GED completion.
• At least 1 year of sample management or warehouse experience.
• Experience with sample management, specimen processing, and specimen handling.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a team setting.
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds and safely handle dry ice.
• Proficiency with computers, including use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with daily performance metrics.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline.
• Experience working in environments such as laboratories, blood banks, biobanks, or biological sample facilities.
• Familiarity with labeling, inventory management, and specimen storage workflows.
• Experience with industrial freezers and handling dry ice for sample storage.
• Experience with data entry and tracking processes in sample or inventory management systems.
• Knowledge of good laboratory practices (GLP).
• Experience working within a quality management system (QMS).
• Exposure to warehouse environments and SAP or similar enterprise systems.
• Experience in sample prep, sample storage, and specimen management.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/hr. 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: Fully onsite position in Indianapolis, IN, Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Aug 5, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.