Laboratory Assistant

Description

Laboratory Assistant (I II, & III)

Job Description

Role: Laboratory Assistant 

Department: Operations   

Levels: I, II, III 

Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Part-Time, PRN

Location: On-site, Overland Park, KS

Manages Others: No

Prepared Date: 03/04/2026

Revised Date: 07/27/2026

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibility:

The Laboratory Assistant primarily supports laboratory inventory management and supply operations by ensuring laboratory consumables, materials, and support areas are well stocked, organized, and available for daily operations. This role also performs a variety of nontechnical duties that help maintain a clean, safe, organized, and efficient laboratory environment, including limited support for specimen handling and general operational tasks.

Essential Job Duties:

Level I - Minimum

• Primary responsibility is to maintain laboratory inventory of consumables (tubes, labels, pipette tips, reagents, and other laboratory supplies), including monitoring stock levels, replenishing inventory, and notifying leadership of supply needs.
• Perform routine non-technical maintenance tasks such as cleaning benches, fume hoods, wiping down surfaces and organizing workstations
• Aliquot specimens into appropriately labeled and identified containers, per SOP
• Accurately label tubes, vials, and containers to support sample processing and testing workflows
• Assist in preparing, organizing, and staging samples for testing, storage, or transport
• Bank and file samples in designated storage areas
• Print log sheets
• Wash laboratory glassware and dishes, ensuring proper cleaning, drying and storage, per SOP
• Perform simple upkeep of non-technical equipment (dishwasher, label printer, etc.)
• Monitor general laboratory cleanliness and assist with waste disposal and recycling procedures
• Follow all laboratory safety procedures, including PPE requirements and proper waste handling 
• Ensure work is performed in accordance with SOPs, quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Maintain accurate records of completed tasks and communicate any issues or discrepancies to supervisor 
• Attention to detail in all duties and activities. 
• Manage time according to meeting Department Turnaround times
• Compliance with all applicable SOPs, Federal, State and Local regulations
• Collaborate effectively with lab staff and contribute to an efficient and well-organized work environment
• Able to consistently demonstrate MDX Core values
• Oversees daily readiness of lab support areas (glassware, label stations, aliquoting areas, consumable inventory)
• Receive orders and deliveries 
• Other duties as assigned by management

Level II – Fully meets the responsibilities of Level I plus the following:

• Serve as a resource and provide training to team members on inventory management processes, supply organization, receiving, and other non-testing laboratory support functions.
• Interaction with other Departments as needed and build a relationship with other Leaders and Management
• Communication within the Department with Manager to focus on needs
• Takes initiative to improve processes and SOPS. 

Level III- Fully meets the responsibilities of Level II plus the following:

• Assists with monitoring inventory trends and recommends improvements to inventory control and supply management processes.
• Updates SOPs
• Identifies process inefficiencies and recommends improvement to supervisor

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Level I – Minimum

• High School Diploma or associate degree in chemistry or biology, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
• Medical terminology is preferred, but not required
• Prior experience in a laboratory or healthcare setting preferred but not required
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and accuracy 
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with repetitive tasks 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Professionalism? 
• Ability to be at work on time and have flexibility? 
• Computer data entry experience is highly recommended
• Team Oriented? 

Level II – Fully meets the qualifications of Level I plus the following:

• Minimum of two years as a Laboratory Assistant I or equivalent experience
• Training new team members
• Troubleshoot simple operational issues 
• Accelerated knowledge of the laboratory 
• Manages sample banking and retrieval with accurate logging and inventory updates.
•  Advanced knowledge of laboratory protocols  

Level III – Fully meets the qualifications of Level II plus the following:

• Minimum of 4 years as a Laboratory Assistant or equivalent experience  
• Expanded knowledge of laboratory testing equipment
• Working understanding of Medical Terminology
• Training others and supporting workflow coordination with a weekly schedule 
• Familiar with LIMS, sample management systems and basic quality practices 
• Demonstrated computer proficiency and ability to use Microsoft Office
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Requirements

Physical Requirements:

• Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets and other items stored at various levels, including overhead
• Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, and in a group setting
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time as necessary 
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 40 pounds
• Bending and stooping about 25% of the time.
• Physical dexterity sufficient to move body frequently around inventory, laboratory equipment and instrumentation
• Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time (4 or more hours)
• Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions

The essential physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.