Contract Specimen Processor Jobs in Portland, OR

This Phlebotomist II position is based at a hospital-affiliated outpatient laboratory and involves providing high-quality, patient-centered phlebotomy services in a fast-paced clinical environment. The role focuses on performing blood draws and other specimen collections, ensuring accurate specimen processing and documentation, and delivering excellent customer service to patients and clinical staff. The position primarily operates at a Portland medical center with periodic floating to a nearby Vancouver, Washington site, requiring active Washington State phlebotomy certification. This is a contract role with consistent weekday hours, strong potential for extension, and opportunities for long-term growth within a large, team-oriented laboratory organization.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients as they arrive at the laboratory and provide a professional, welcoming experience.
• Clearly and courteously explain venipuncture and other specimen collection procedures, helping to ease patient anxiety and answer questions.
• Perform blood draws using straight needles and butterfly needles, including challenging draws such as scar tissue, rolling veins, pediatric, and geriatric patients.
• Collect and store blood, urine, fecal, and other specimens according to established procedures and protocols.
• Match laboratory requisition forms or electronic orders to specimen tubes to ensure complete and accurate alignment of tests and samples.
• Label, centrifuge, split, and freeze specimens as required by specific test orders and protocols.
• Check all test requisitions or computer-generated labels against orders or scripts to ensure 100% accuracy before processing.
• Package specimens for transport and store samples at the required temperature, using appropriate collection containers and tubes to maintain specimen integrity.
• Follow all procedures specific to specimen handling and transport to preserve sample quality and comply with laboratory standards.
• Record maintenance data and perform decontamination tasks for equipment and work areas as required.
• Understand and comply with OSHA and DEP regulations, and attend annual department trainings and updates.
• Update and verify patient information in electronic systems, ensuring accurate data entry and documentation.
• Answer telephone calls, provide laboratory results when appropriate, and respond to inquiries from patients and clinical staff in a professional manner.
• Handle insurance and billing-related tasks associated with specimen collection and processing, following established workflows.
• Prepare collection sites and equipment prior to phlebotomy procedures, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
• Process specimens in accordance with laboratory protocols, including centrifugation and other pre-analytic steps.
• Navigate EMR, LIS, and related systems to enter, retrieve, and verify orders and results, and troubleshoot basic technology issues.
• Collaborate with a diverse team, support peer-auditing practices, and contribute to a positive, patient-first culture.
• Manage workload independently, prioritize tasks effectively, and maintain productivity in a high-pressure environment.
• Maintain strong attendance, reliability, and flexibility, including willingness to float between sites and adjust to trainer schedules and staffing needs.

Essential Skills

• Active Washington State Certified Phlebotomist credential (required, due to periodic floating to a Vancouver, WA site).
• Minimum of 6+ months of phlebotomy experience, including proficiency with both straight and butterfly needles.
• Demonstrated ability to perform difficult blood draws, including patients with scar tissue, rolling veins, pediatric patients, and geriatric patients.
• Proven experience performing approximately 20–50 or more blood draws per shift in high-pressure clinical environments.
• Strong venipuncture and blood collection skills, including proper technique and adherence to safety protocols.
• Accurate specimen handling and labeling, with close attention to matching requisitions and maintaining specimen integrity.
• Ability to navigate EMR systems and laboratory information systems (LIS) and troubleshoot basic technology issues.
• Experience using and troubleshooting scanners, tablets, computers, and other clinical devices.
• Customer service skills with a patient-first mindset, including compassion, professionalism, and the ability to explain procedures clearly.
• Ability to receive feedback well and demonstrate eagerness to learn and improve.
• Adaptability and teamwork skills, including working effectively in diverse teams and participating in peer-auditing culture.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload independently and maintain productivity under pressure.
• Proven reliability and strong attendance record.
• Flexibility to move between sites, adapt to trainer schedules, and support staffing needs.
• Resilience and the ability to remain professional and productive in high-stress situations.
• High School Diploma or GED.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• National Phlebotomy Certification (such as NHA, ASCP, or equivalent) preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with medical terminology related to laboratory testing and specimen collection.
• Experience with specimen processing, including centrifuging, splitting, and freezing samples according to test requirements.
• Comfort working with a broad patient population, including pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Strong data entry skills and attention to detail when updating patient information and laboratory records.
• Positive, hardworking attitude with a strong sense of initiative and collaboration.
• Ability to contribute to a strong team environment and support a culture of growth and internal mobility.
• Interest in long-term career growth within laboratory, sales, client services, or other related departments.

Work Environment

This role is based at a hospital-affiliated laboratory located within a major medical center in Portland, Oregon, with periodic floating to a nearby Vancouver, Washington site. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with no weekend work required while on contract; if converted to a permanent role, participation in a weekend rotation will be expected. The position is initially a 3-month contract, with a strong likelihood of multiple extensions (often totaling 6–9 months), and the possibility of conversion to a direct role depending on business needs and performance. The work environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with a strong team culture and support for professional growth and movement into other areas such as laboratory operations, sales, or client services. You will work with standard phlebotomy and laboratory equipment, including straight and butterfly needles, centrifuges, scanners, tablets, computers, EMR and LIS systems, and other devices used for specimen collection and processing. The setting follows OSHA and DEP regulations and emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and proper decontamination procedures. Attire is typical clinical and laboratory-appropriate clothing suitable for direct patient care and specimen handling. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical plans, health savings accounts, hospital cost protection, critical illness and accident protection, health advocacy services, dental and vision coverage, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, transportation benefits, a 401(k) plan, and access to employee assistance and affinity programs, supporting both your professional and personal well-being.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Portland, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $23.11/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 Portland, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 8, 2026.

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