Sample Handling Assistant

Job Title: Sample Management AssistantJob Description

This role supports a high-volume central laboratory by receiving, preparing, and processing clinical trial specimens within the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) team. The Sample Management Assistant ensures accurate handling of irreplaceable clinical samples, operates basic to moderate laboratory equipment, and performs data entry to maintain precise records in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Receive shipments for the Laboratory Pre-Analytical Services (LPS) departments from various couriers and complete all related intake tasks.
• Resolve misrouted shipments by identifying correct destinations and performing all associated corrective actions.
• Open and clean inbound shipments to ensure they meet internal quality and safety standards.
• Perform quality control checks on discarded materials to prevent failures and promptly report issues to management.
• Maintain the temperature and integrity of specimens in their received condition to preserve sample quality.
• Scan all shipments into the database to ensure accurate tracking and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Follow standard operating procedures for sorting and routing samples to the appropriate destination departments.
• Perform kit receipt processes for inbound kits, including verification and documentation.
• Conduct quality control of requisitions to ensure completeness and accuracy of required information.
• Perform data entry of patient demographics and other required information into laboratory systems with a high level of accuracy.
• Operate basic to moderate equipment to process samples according to established procedures.
• Support sample management activities such as labeling, inventory control, sample storage, and specimen tracking.
• Collaborate with supervisors, team members, and other departments as needed to meet daily sample processing metrics and service levels.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma and/or GED completion.
• At least 1 year of sample management or warehouse experience.
• Experience with sample management, specimen processing, and specimen handling in a laboratory or warehouse environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to follow standard procedures accurately.
• Ability to work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to lift 30+ pounds and safely handle dry ice.
• Proficiency with computers, including use of Microsoft Suite applications.
• Capability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining accuracy in a fast-paced setting.
• Comfort working with biological samples and within a laboratory or biobank environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a life science discipline.
• Experience in a laboratory, blood bank, biobank, or biological sample management environment.
• Familiarity with sample labeling, inventory management, and specimen storage processes.
• Experience working with industrial freezers and dry ice handling.
• Exposure to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) environments.
• Experience with sample preparation and sample storage workflows.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations related to biological sample management.
• Experience using SAP or similar inventory or enterprise systems.
• Familiarity with Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Experience with data entry and tracking processes in laboratory or logistics systems.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced central laboratory environment where the team pulls and processes approximately 1,000 samples per day. The role requires mostly standing and walking throughout the shift and regular lifting of 30+ pounds, including handling dry ice and working with industrial freezers. The schedule follows a 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift, Tuesday through Saturday, supporting continuous laboratory operations. Team members work independently to meet defined metrics and performance targets each shift, while also collaborating with colleagues and management as needed. The environment emphasizes accuracy, adherence to standard procedures, and safe handling of biological specimens within a structured laboratory and warehouse-like setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Indianapolis, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Indianapolis,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.