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Clinical Lab Associate Jobs in Franklin, TN (NOW HIRING)

Lab Associate 2 Clinical

Nashville, TN · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

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 ofindividuals who ...

MLT Didactic Instructor

Smyrna, TN · On-site

$48K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Associate's degree earned from an accredited institution in a qualifying field and Licensed Medical ... Medical Lab Technician or Scientist; Clinical Lab Technician or Scientist Major Duties and ...

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Clinical Lab Associate information

See Franklin, TN salary details

$12

$31

$54

How much do clinical lab associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for clinical lab associate in Franklin, TN is $31.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.87 and $41.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by clinical lab associates, and how can they be managed?

Clinical Lab Associates often encounter challenges such as managing high sample volumes, maintaining accuracy under time constraints, and adhering to strict regulatory standards. Effective time management, meticulous attention to detail, and consistent communication with team members are crucial in overcoming these hurdles. Many labs provide ongoing training and support to help staff stay current with best practices and emerging technologies, ensuring that associates can deliver reliable results in a fast-paced environment.

What is a clinical lab associate?

Clinical Lab Associates are healthcare professionals who assist in the preparation, processing, and analysis of laboratory specimens. They work under the supervision of laboratory technologists or scientists to ensure tests are conducted accurately and efficiently. Their responsibilities often include specimen collection, data entry, equipment maintenance, and quality control. Clinical Lab Associates play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring patient health by supporting laboratory operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a clinical lab associate?

A Clinical Lab Associate needs a strong background in biology, chemistry, and laboratory techniques, usually supported by a relevant associate's or bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), automated analyzers, and standard laboratory safety protocols is essential. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective teamwork help individuals excel in this role. These skills ensure accurate test results, efficient workflow, and compliance with regulatory standards, which are critical to patient care and laboratory operations.

What is the difference between Clinical Lab Associate vs Medical Laboratory Technician?

AspectClinical Lab AssociateMedical Laboratory Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate degree; certification often preferredAssociate degree in medical laboratory technology; certification usually required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, diagnostic labsHospitals, diagnostic labs, research facilities
Job ResponsibilitiesSample collection, processing, basic testing, data entryPerforming complex tests, analyzing samples, maintaining lab equipment
Industry UsageCommonly employed in healthcare settings for sample handlingMore involved in testing procedures and analysis

While both roles support laboratory operations, Clinical Lab Associates typically focus on sample collection and basic processing, whereas Medical Laboratory Technicians perform more complex testing and analysis. The choice depends on your education level and desired responsibilities within the lab environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Lab jobs in Franklin, TN?

The most popular types of Clinical Lab jobs in Franklin, TN are:

What are popular job titles related to Clinical Lab Associate jobs in Franklin, TN?

For Clinical Lab Associate jobs in Franklin, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Clinical Lab Associate jobs in Franklin, TN look for?

The top searched job categories for Clinical Lab Associate jobs in Franklin, TN are:

What cities near Franklin, TN are hiring for Clinical Lab Associate jobs?

Cities near Franklin, TN with the most Clinical Lab Associate job openings:

- Clinical Lab Associate 2 -Specimen Receiving

Vanderbilt Health

Nashville, TN

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago


Vanderbilt University Medical Center rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 253 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

189th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

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 ofindividuals 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 uniquenessis 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:

Specimen Management 1st Shift

Job Summary:

First Shift at The Vanderbilt Clinic
Responsible for accessioning specimens or patient tissue materials for testing including packaging specimens or tissue materials to be sent out to referring laboratory with minimal guidance. Works closely with all laboratory staff, medical staff, and external customers. Performs customer service functions including telephone etiquette and basic troubleshooting and problem resolution.

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Key Responsibilities:

  • Sorting, triaging, receiving, sending, processing and batching specimens

  • Processing samples pre-analytically for testing

  • Providing general clerical support

  • The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.


Technical Capabilities:

  • 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.

  • Specimen Collection (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate specimen collection in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

  • Pathology (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate pathology in practical applications of moderate difficulty.

  • 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.

  • Customer Service (Novice): Demonstrates the ability to influence customers. Knows how to verify and clarify the needs and expectations of customers. Responds quickly and efficiently to customer service requests. Participates in and conducts meetings with customers. Keeps customers informed of status via standard reporting techniques. Meets the continuing service needs of a customer group, including requests for changes in work content. Responds to customers with an appropriate level of urgency, energy, persistence and tenacity.

  • 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: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

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 Experience

Experience Level :

1 year

Education:

High School Diploma or GED

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which mayinclude health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed tofosteringan environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.


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