How to hire a lead laboratory assistant

How to hire a lead laboratory assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead laboratory assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead laboratory assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead laboratory assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lead laboratory assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lead laboratory assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lead laboratory assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of lead laboratory assistants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lead Laboratory Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Laboratory Assistant	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$8-40
   Clinical Technician	A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations... Show more	$12-23
   Dialysis Technician	A dialysis technician is responsible for the control and maintenance of a dialysis machine. Dialysis technicians' duties include monitoring the stable performance of the equipment, assisting patients on the dialysis process, and adhering to the safety standards and protocols on the dialysis operation all the time... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Phlebotomy
   • Laboratory Specimens
   • Patients
   • Patient Care
   • EMR
   • Data Collection
   • LIS
   • Reference Lab
   • Medical Terminology
   • Proficiency Testing
   • Chemistry
   • Specimen Handling
   • Test Results
   • Lab Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage daily laboratory operations including personnel, client consulting, analyses and adherence to GLP protocols.
   • Conduct a monthly inventory of the chemistry stock room supplies.
   • Conduct ongoing training of all lab assistants to use equipment properly (Stainers, processors, centrifuges etc .).
   • Prepare reagents for microbiology specimens.
   • Verify patient information, collect specimens from patients, properly labele specimen vials and submit specimens for further processing or testing.
   • Implement an in-house immunofluorescent and special chemistry department, including electrophoresis and fluorescent microscopy, resulting in lower overhead costs.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead laboratory assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead laboratory assistant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead laboratory assistants' average salary in oklahoma is 54% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead laboratory assistants 79% less than senior-level lead laboratory assistants.
   • Certifications. A lead laboratory assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead laboratory assistant's salary.

   Average lead laboratory assistant salary

   $39,437yearly

   $18.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead laboratory assistant salary

   $18,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a lead laboratory assistant job description

   A lead laboratory assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead laboratory assistant job description:

   Lead laboratory assistant job description example

   Indiana University Health is Indiana's most comprehensive health system, with 16 hospitals and more than 34,000 team members serving Hoosiers across the state. We're looking for team members who are inspired by challenging and meaningful work for the good of every patient. People who are compassionate and serve with a purpose. People who aspire to excellence every day.
   
   The laboratories of IU Health offer some of the most comprehensive laboratory services in Indiana! Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the laboratories perform more than 19 million tests a year. In addition to IU Health, laboratory testing services are provided to hospitals and physicians across the country.
   
   The Lab Assistant Team Lead at the LAB leads the laboratory team in the coordination of general laboratory services including specimen collection, blood component preparation, pre-analytic processing of specimens, waived testing and moderate complexity testing as well as clerical tasks. Lead Lab Assistant will spend approximately 25% as ad hoc leader. The incumbent may be responsible for patient and specimen registration and delivery of specimens.
   + Requires HS Grad or GED Equivalent.
   
   + Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or related science preferred.
   
   + Requires successfully completion of an initial and six (6) month competency for identified testing.
   
   + Requires successfully completion an annual competency assessment for identified testing. Requires a minimum of one (1) year experience in a laboratory setting; two (2) years of experience preferred.
   
   + Requires working knowledge of computers.
   
   + Requires excellent telephone skills.
   
   + Requires strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member and leader.
   
   + Requires ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods of time.
   
   + Requires complex problem-solving skills with ability to discern when to escalate.
   
   + May serve on appropriate committees or projects that contribute to the overall purpose and essential functions of the department.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at IU Health. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
   
   REQNUMBER: 339883

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find lead laboratory assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any lead laboratory assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level lead laboratory assistants with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead laboratory assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit lead laboratory assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting lead laboratory assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead laboratory assistant

   Once you've selected the best lead laboratory assistant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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