Clinical Lab Associate Jobs
Clinical Lab Associate jobs are open across hospitals, reference laboratories, and outpatient clinics, with specializations in specimen processing, hematology, and urinalysis, at levels from entry-level technician to lead associate. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 493+ Clinical Lab Associate jobs
Join our Laboratory Services team and play an important role in supporting patient care behind the scenes.
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Pathology/Cytology Supervisor and Director of Laboratory Services, the Clinical Laboratory Assistant provides essential support to the Pathology and Cytology departments. This role is responsible for specimen handling, laboratory support functions, equipment maintenance, and operational assistance to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with hospital and laboratory standards.
What You'll Do
- Deliver exceptional customer service while interacting professionally and respectfully with patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow team members.
- Support daily Pathology and Cytology laboratory operations, including:
- Transporting, accessioning, and scanning specimens
- Filing and organizing slides and specimens
- Performing technical preparation of cytology specimens, including centrifugation, ThinPrep slide preparation, staining, and coverslipping
- Preparing, handling, and disposing of laboratory chemicals according to established procedures
- Performing routine equipment maintenance and operational checks
- Completing temperature monitoring and weekly safety inspections of eyewash stations and safety showers
- Assisting in other laboratory areas as needed to support staffing and workflow demands
- Follow all departmental, laboratory, and hospital policies and procedures.
- Promote a culture of Service Excellence, quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment while adhering to all regulatory, infection control, and laboratory safety requirements.
- Participate in required training, competency assessments, and compliance programs.
- Protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational standards.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required
Experience
- No previous experience required
- Prior healthcare, laboratory, customer service, or specimen handling experience is a plus, but not required
Licensure/Certification
- No licensure or certification required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to adapt quickly and respond to changing departmental priorities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Basic computer proficiency
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
Why Join Us?
- Meaningful work supporting patient diagnosis and care
- Opportunity to learn laboratory operations and healthcare processes
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Comprehensive training provided
- Career growth opportunities within Laboratory Services and healthcare operations
Location: Emerson Hospital · Lab - Cytology
Schedule: Per Diem, Day shift, 8:30-5:00
Join our Laboratory Services team and play an important role in supporting patient care behind the scenes.
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Pathology/Cytology Supervisor and Director of Laboratory Services, the Clinical Laboratory Assistant provides essential support to the Pathology and Cytology departments. This role is responsible for specimen handling, laboratory support functions, equipment maintenance, and operational assistance to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with hospital and laboratory standards.
What You'll Do
- Deliver exceptional customer service while interacting professionally and respectfully with patients, visitors, physicians, and fellow team members.
- Support daily Pathology and Cytology laboratory operations, including:
- Transporting, accessioning, and scanning specimens
- Filing and organizing slides and specimens
- Performing technical preparation of cytology specimens, including centrifugation, ThinPrep slide preparation, staining, and coverslipping
- Preparing, handling, and disposing of laboratory chemicals according to established procedures
- Performing routine equipment maintenance and operational checks
- Completing temperature monitoring and weekly safety inspections of eyewash stations and safety showers
- Assisting in other laboratory areas as needed to support staffing and workflow demands
- Follow all departmental, laboratory, and hospital policies and procedures.
- Promote a culture of Service Excellence, quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment while adhering to all regulatory, infection control, and laboratory safety requirements.
- Participate in required training, competency assessments, and compliance programs.
- Protect patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with applicable regulations and organizational standards.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required
Experience
- No previous experience required
- Prior healthcare, laboratory, customer service, or specimen handling experience is a plus, but not required
Licensure/Certification
- No licensure or certification required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to adapt quickly and respond to changing departmental priorities
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Basic computer proficiency
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
- Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
Why Join Us?
- Meaningful work supporting patient diagnosis and care
- Opportunity to learn laboratory operations and healthcare processes
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Comprehensive training provided
- Career growth opportunities within Laboratory Services and healthcare operations
Location: Emerson Hospital · Lab - Cytology
Schedule: Per Diem, Day shift, 8:30-5:00
Clinical Lab Associate Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Clinical Lab Associate JobsClinical Lab Associate Job Market
Who's Hiring
- TriCore Reference Laboratories26
- Quest Diagnostics17
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center14
- OSF HealthCare12
- Sutter Health9
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services44
- Education5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2
- Medical Devices1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical lab associate jobs.
- High school diploma or equivalent with some college-level biology or chemistry coursework preferred
- Phlebotomy certification or demonstrated venipuncture experience required by most employers
- Proficiency in laboratory information systems and electronic specimen tracking
- Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and proper handling of biohazardous materials
- Ability to process and accession high volumes of specimens accurately under time pressure
- Strong attention to detail for documenting results and flagging specimen integrity issues
Tips for Your Clinical Lab Associate Job Search
List every certified skill by name
Employers scan for exact terms like phlebotomy, centrifugation, and chain-of-custody handling. Write out each technique and instrument you have used by its full name so your application clears automated screening before a recruiter reads it.
Target postings by shift type first
Many clinical lab associate openings are night, weekend, or rotating shifts that go unfilled longer. Filtering for those shifts reduces competition, and hiring managers often move faster on them, so you hear back sooner.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists clinical lab associate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Show specimen volume in your resume
Hiring managers want to know you can keep pace in a high-throughput lab. Wherever you can, describe the daily specimen volume you processed or the number of tests you ran, so they can gauge your production experience at a glance.
Prepare for competency demonstration interviews
Some labs ask you to identify a tube type, explain a QC step, or walk through a critical value protocol on the spot. Review your facility's standard operating procedure framework before the interview so the terminology comes naturally.
Follow up with the lab supervisor, not HR
Lab managers often make the final call on associate hires. If a posting lists a department contact, a brief follow-up note addressed to the lab supervisor carries more weight than one sent to a general HR inbox.
Clinical Lab Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most clinical lab associates?
The companies hiring the most clinical lab associates right now include TriCore Reference Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with the largest share of openings in California, New Mexico, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems and national reference laboratories consistently account for the highest volume of active postings.
How many clinical lab associate jobs are remote?
About 10% of clinical lab associate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most lab work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are data entry, results transcription, and laboratory billing support roles.
How do you become a clinical lab associate?
To become a clinical lab associate, complete a high school diploma and take introductory biology and chemistry courses at a community college or vocational program. Many candidates then pursue a phlebotomy certificate through an accredited program and complete a clinical externship. From there, you can apply directly to entry-level associate postings at hospitals or reference labs.
Can you get hired as a clinical lab associate with little or no experience?
Yes, many hospitals and reference laboratories hire candidates with no formal lab experience if they have completed relevant coursework or a phlebotomy certificate. Highlighting any science coursework, patient-facing roles, or exposure to medical settings helps your application stand out. Some employers also offer on-the-job training for specimen processing alongside a credentialed technician.
What does the clinical lab associate interview process look like?
Most clinical lab associate interviews start with a phone or video screen focused on your availability and basic science background, followed by an in-person interview with the lab manager. Expect questions about how you handle specimen integrity issues, prioritize urgent draws, and follow safety protocols. Some facilities include a brief practical component where you identify tube types or describe a processing step.
Where can I find and apply to clinical lab associate jobs?
You can find and apply to clinical lab associate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialty, shift preference, and location, then apply directly to each listing from the job page.
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