Lab Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Lab associate jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in healthcare systems, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and university research, with demand running from entry-level specimen processing roles to experienced clinical and quality-control positions. The busiest hiring markets are Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory maintain consistent lab associate workforces. The most in-demand specialties are clinical chemistry, microbiology, and quality assurance in biotech manufacturing. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization:
Core Lab - 3rd ShiftJob Summary:
11p-730aLab experience preferred
Triages and processes advanced specimen independently. Works closely with all laboratory staff, medical staff, and external customers including advanced troubleshooting and problem resolution. Performs packing and shipping of laboratory specimens to be sent out to referring laboratories.
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Key Responsibilities:
Sorting, triaging, receiving, sending, processing and batching specimens
Accessioning specimens received with a requisition
Processing samples pre-analytically for testing
Processing test add-ons and resolving any pre-analytical specimen or test issues
Providing general clerical support
The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.
Technical Capabilities
Laboratory Practices (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate laboratory practices in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.
Quality Assurance (Novice): Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, constantly striving for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in the process of establishing, communicating and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to actually work on and improve a current business process, product or service.
Pathology (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of pathology in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
Specimen Collection (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of specimen collection in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering specimen collection services without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving technical instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.
Customer Service (Intermediate): Keeps management informed on all aspects of one or more projects. Takes personal responsibility to ensure external and internal customer satisfaction is met despite pressures and/or significant obstacles. Discusses options with customer for alternative ways to meet expectations cost-effectively and efficiently. Commands respect and confidence from customers, and identifies, influences and creates business opportunities. Negotiates with customers for changes in service levels, understanding the business rationale for those changes. Deals with unexpected customer demands smoothly and without conflict.
Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.
Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.
These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.
Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.
Core Accountabilities:
Organizational Impact: Independently delivers on objectives with understanding of how they impact the results of own area/team and other related teams. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes multiple sources of data to analyze and resolve complex problems; may take a new perspective on existing solution. Breadth of Knowledge: Has advanced knowledge within a professional area and basic knowledge across related areas. Team Interaction: Acts as a "go-to" resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small project teams.Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships. - Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them. - Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches. - Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges. - Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.Position Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Relevant Work ExperienceExperience Level :
1 yearEducation:
High School Diploma or GEDThis role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.
See All 11 Lab Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lab Associate JobsLab Associate Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lab Associate Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lab associate jobs across Tennessee.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or a related field
- Certification as a Medical Laboratory Assistant or Laboratory Technician recognized in Tennessee
- Experience with specimen collection, processing, and laboratory information management systems
- Familiarity with CLIA regulations, safety protocols, and proper sample handling procedures
- Proficiency with laboratory equipment including centrifuges, analyzers, and pipetting systems
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standard operating procedures accurately
Lab Associate Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lab associate in Tennessee?
Most lab associate roles in Tennessee require an associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or a related field. Employers in clinical settings commonly prefer candidates who hold or are pursuing certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Tennessee does not issue a separate state license for lab associates, but hospital systems and reference labs typically require national certification as a condition of employment within a set timeframe after hire.
Which companies hire lab associates in Tennessee?
Employers hiring lab associates in Tennessee right now include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Vanderbilt Health, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's density of large academic medical centers, regional hospital networks, and federally funded research facilities means lab associate openings appear consistently throughout the year rather than only during seasonal hiring waves.
Which Tennessee cities have the most lab associate jobs?
Memphis and Nashville are the Tennessee cities with the most lab associate openings. Nashville leads because of its concentration of hospital systems, health-tech companies, and university medical centers, while Memphis is anchored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and regional health networks, and Knoxville draws demand from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
How can I get hired as a lab associate in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to phlebotomy or specimen processing roles at Tennessee hospital systems, which routinely hire candidates without prior lab experience and provide on-the-job training. Large employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ballad Health offer structured new-graduate and medical laboratory assistant programs that build toward full lab associate responsibilities. Completing a phlebotomy certificate through a Tennessee community college gives candidates a meaningful edge, and laboratory aide or medical assistant roles are common lateral starting points.
Where can I find and apply to lab associate jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to lab associate jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that fit your background and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 11 Lab Associate Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lab Associate Jobs