Lab Associate Jobs in Iowa
Lab Associate jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, concentrated in pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, and university research, with openings for both entry-level technicians and experienced specialists. The heaviest hiring is in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Ames, where employers such as the University of Iowa Health Care, Principal Financial Group's laboratory services operations, and Corteva Agriscience maintain consistent lab associate pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in Iowa include clinical chemistry, microbiology, and quality control within crop science and food safety settings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 80+ Lab Associate jobs
Full time
Shift:
Day Shift
Description:
Position Purpose:
Our nurses assist with diagnostic and interventional procedures performed in the Cath Lab as well as cross training into the EP lab.
What you will Do:
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of patients.
Supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs and PCAs.
Facilitates communication with physicians, families and other team members.
Hours/Schedule:
7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
1.0 FTE. days
Must take call during the week and every third weekend
Must be within 20 - 30 minutes of Medical Center while on call
Minimum Qualifications:
Current IA RN license
BSN preferred
Cardiac experience strongly preferred
Position Highlights and Benefits
We care about your well-being, both physical and mental, which is why our benefit package includes:
- Wellness programs
- Education reimbursement
- Personalized health insurance plans including dental and vision
- Paid time off
- Long- and short-term leave
- Retirement planning
- Life insurance coverage
MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides expert health care to eight counties. MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides excellent, personalized care close to home to the communities in the Cedar Valley. With 491 licensed beds between the three medical centers, each providing 24-hour emergency lifesaving care, MercyOne is there for you in critical moments:
- MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, an Area Level III Trauma Center and an accredited chest pain center
- MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation
- MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation
MercyOne Medical Group – Northeast Iowa is made up of more than 30 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics located throughout Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Benton, Butler, Fayette and Tama counties.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
Full time
Shift:
Day Shift
Description:
Position Purpose:
Our nurses assist with diagnostic and interventional procedures performed in the Cath Lab as well as cross training into the EP lab.
What you will Do:
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of patients.
Supervises and coordinates care provided by LPNs and PCAs.
Facilitates communication with physicians, families and other team members.
Hours/Schedule:
7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
1.0 FTE. days
Must take call during the week and every third weekend
Must be within 20 - 30 minutes of Medical Center while on call
Minimum Qualifications:
Current IA RN license
BSN preferred
Cardiac experience strongly preferred
Position Highlights and Benefits
We care about your well-being, both physical and mental, which is why our benefit package includes:
- Wellness programs
- Education reimbursement
- Personalized health insurance plans including dental and vision
- Paid time off
- Long- and short-term leave
- Retirement planning
- Life insurance coverage
MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides expert health care to eight counties. MercyOne Northeast Iowa provides excellent, personalized care close to home to the communities in the Cedar Valley. With 491 licensed beds between the three medical centers, each providing 24-hour emergency lifesaving care, MercyOne is there for you in critical moments:
- MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, an Area Level III Trauma Center and an accredited chest pain center
- MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation
- MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center, Community Level IV Trauma Designation
MercyOne Medical Group – Northeast Iowa is made up of more than 30 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics located throughout Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Benton, Butler, Fayette and Tama counties.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 80 Lab Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lab Associate JobsLab Associate Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lab Associate Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Iowa14
- MercyOne12
- UnityPoint Health4
- FirstChoice3
- Trinity Health3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Education7
- Insurance2
- Chemicals & Materials1
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lab associate jobs across Iowa.
- Associate degree or bachelor's degree in a biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science
- Medical Laboratory Technician certification or Medical Laboratory Scientist certification preferred
- Hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation such as centrifuges, spectrophotometers, or PCR equipment
- Knowledge of standard laboratory safety protocols including OSHA and biosafety practices
- Accurate documentation skills and experience maintaining chain-of-custody or GLP records
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems or electronic data entry platforms
Lab Associate Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lab associate in Iowa?
Most lab associate roles in Iowa require at minimum an associate degree in a laboratory science field, though clinical positions at hospitals and reference labs often prefer a bachelor's degree. For clinical laboratory work, employers in Iowa look for candidates holding or pursuing certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification, which issues the MLT or MLS credential recognized across Iowa health systems. Non-clinical roles in agricultural biotech or food safety typically prioritize relevant coursework and hands-on lab training over formal licensure.
Which companies hire lab associates in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring lab associates in Iowa include The University of Iowa, MercyOne, and UnityPoint Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's mix of major health systems, land-grant university research programs, and agricultural science companies creates a broad and relatively stable base of lab associate employers across both clinical and industrial settings.
Which Iowa cities have the most lab associate jobs?
Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo hold the most lab associate openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors clinical demand through its large hospital networks and reference laboratories, Iowa City draws heavily from the University of Iowa's medical and research campus, and Ames is shaped by Iowa State University research programs and the concentration of agricultural biotechnology and food science employers in the surrounding corridor.
Are there remote lab associate jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Lab associate work is primarily hands-on and instrument-dependent, which means the majority of roles require on-site presence. About 0% of lab associate openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in data review, regulatory documentation, or laboratory information system support functions rather than bench work.
How can I get hired as a lab associate in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a lab assistant or specimen processing role at an Iowa hospital or reference laboratory, which typically requires only an associate degree or enrollment in a clinical laboratory science program. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and UnityPoint Health both run new-graduate onboarding tracks that build toward full lab associate responsibilities. Candidates from adjacent roles such as phlebotomist, pharmacy technician, or research aide often transition successfully, especially if they hold or are pursuing an ASCP certification at the technician level.
Where can I find and apply to lab associate jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to lab associate jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search for roles that fit your background and experience level, then apply directly to the positions that match. No profile creation is required to search and apply.
See All 80 Lab Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lab Associate Jobs