LAB ASSISTANT
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Morristown, TN, 37814
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 5 January 2026
Overview
Laboratory Assistant, General Laboratory
Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift
Morristown Hamblen Overview:
Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System has 167 licensed beds and 23 emergency suites. The hospital offers outstanding ancillary services including Laboratory, Radiology and Therapy services. At our Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, women can have their annual mammograms, biopsies, and can meet with a nurse navigator if needed. The Women’s Center offers six newly remodeled labor and delivery suites and has a secure nursery for the care of our newborns. It serves an eight-county region in the Lakeway Area and is equipped with modern technologies and expert staff to provide the best possible patient care. Learn more about our amazing facility at https://www.morristownhamblen.com/.
Position Summary:
An employee in this position must be able to perform in the following areas: collection and proper handling of venous and capillary blood specimens for both in and out patients, responsibility for the safety and comfort of customers, clerical/computer duties, and courier responsibilities as required for the position.
Recruiter: Alexa Robbins || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Customer service and specimen collection is recognized as the first priority.
- Transcribes medical orders in a timely manner, orders the appropriate laboratory tests as indicated for patients, lab contracts, and specimens. Follows-up on all verbal orders with requests for written orders.
- Responsible for answering the departmental telephones and transferring calls to proper laboratory/pathology section; follows through with problem resolution; assists physicians/staff in obtaining, faxing or telephone receipt of laboratory test results; and responsible for strict adherence to proper handling of confidential test results.
- Responsible for use of HIS, LIS and reference lab computer systems (i.e. Mayo, etc.) as appropriate for specific hospital facility.
- Knowledgeable of manual systems for ordering, collection, verification, and charting in instances of computer failure.
- Properly processes, all specimens including accessioning; recognition of test priorities; centrifugation; separation/processing, logging and special collection requirements.
- Properly collects blood samples from venous and/or capillary (heel or finger) sites as required by facility. Proper use of aseptic technique in the collection of blood culture specimens. Accurately labels all specimens. Proper use of blood bank armband and labeling system.
- Strict adherence to proper identification of patient’s name and DOB by hospital armband and asking the patient his/her name, or by asking the RN to visually identify the patient.
- Strict adherence to proper disposal of needles/sharps, and used gloves during phlebotomy.
- Maintain clerical and phlebotomy work areas in a neat and sanitary manner.
- Responsible for participation in Laboratory performance improvement activities.
- Complies with Laboratory policies and procedures, including Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Disaster Plan, the Joint Commission standards, CLIA and State regulations.
- May be a resource for difficult sticks.
- Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a HS diploma or GED.
Minimum Experience:
None
Licensure Requirement:
Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or comparable institution is desirable.
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Frequently asked questions
In Morristown, certifications like NCA, ASCP, or ASPT significantly enhance a lab assistant’s qualifications, providing an edge in Covenant Health and similar facilities. These credentials validate expertise in specimen handling and lab protocols, meeting local regulatory standards and boosting employment prospects.
Working night shifts at Covenant Health means lab assistants adapt to quieter hospital hours but remain crucial for specimen processing and urgent lab tasks. This schedule demands strong time management and alertness to maintain specimen integrity and support emergency diagnostics efficiently.
Beyond blood draws, lab assistants excel by mastering clerical tasks, navigating lab information systems, ensuring patient safety protocols, and performing quality improvement activities. These combined skills support smooth lab operations and enhance patient care quality in clinical environments.
Morristown’s healthcare expansion, including Covenant Health, creates increasing demand for lab assistants to support diagnostic services. Job seekers can expect stable opportunities driven by the region’s eight-county service area requiring skilled lab personnel for growing patient volumes.
Covenant Health encourages continuous learning through mandatory education assignments, quality improvement projects, and certification encouragement. This commitment helps lab assistants enhance their expertise, align with industry standards, and advance within the laboratory field.
At Covenant Health, lab assistants benefit from working in a technologically advanced facility with a strong focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive ancillary services. This environment fosters teamwork and adherence to rigorous compliance standards unique to their healthcare system.
The Morristown market presents moderate competition for lab assistant positions, with candidates needing a blend of technical skills and customer service aptitude. Local demand driven by healthcare growth offers opportunities, but certifications and relevant experience improve chances significantly.
Lab assistants in Morristown typically earn between $32,000 to $40,000 annually, depending on experience and certifications. Covenant Health’s compensation aligns with these figures, reflecting regional cost of living and the specialized nature of night shift laboratory roles.
A Lab Assistant I focuses on specimen collection, labeling, and basic clerical duties, while senior lab assistants handle complex tasks like quality assurance, training juniors, and troubleshooting lab equipment. Career growth involves expanding technical knowledge and leadership within laboratory operations.
Many assume lab assistant work is routine and low-pressure, but it requires precision, multitasking, and strict adherence to safety protocols. Handling delicate specimens and urgent requests demands resilience and attention to detail, especially in fast-paced hospital environments.