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Internship Specimen Processor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cytology Aide II

Campus, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $20.50/hr

... with specimen processing and slide preparation. Ensures accurate labeling, handling, and ... Volunteer work and internships for academic credit are not counted. Certifications & Licensures N/A ...

Cytology Aide II

Ashland, KY · On-site +1

$13.50 - $18.50/hr

... with specimen processing and slide preparation. Ensures accurate labeling, handling, and ... Volunteer work and internships for academic credit are not counted. Certifications & Licensures N/A ...

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Internship Specimen Processor information

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How much do internship specimen processor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship specimen processor in the United States is $18.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Internship Specimen Processors?

Internship Specimen Processors are entry-level laboratory professionals who handle and prepare medical or biological specimens for testing and analysis. As interns, they learn to receive, label, and process samples such as blood, urine, or tissue, ensuring they are suitable for laboratory tests. Their responsibilities often include maintaining accurate records, operating laboratory equipment, and following strict safety and quality protocols. Internship Specimen Processors gain hands-on experience in a clinical or research lab setting, which can be valuable for pursuing a career in laboratory sciences.

What qualifications do I need to be a lab assistant?

To be a lab assistant, typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required, along with basic knowledge of laboratory procedures and safety protocols. Some positions may prefer or require post-secondary education or certifications in laboratory techniques or related fields. Attention to detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to work in a team are also important qualifications.

What does a specimen processor do?

A specimen processor prepares biological samples, such as blood, tissue, or fluids, for laboratory testing by labeling, sorting, and ensuring proper storage. They often operate lab equipment, follow safety protocols, and work under supervision to ensure accurate and efficient processing of specimens. Attention to detail and knowledge of lab procedures are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by Internship Specimen Processors and how can they be managed?

Internship Specimen Processors often encounter challenges such as handling high specimen volumes, maintaining accuracy under time constraints, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Staying organized, double-checking labels, and following standard operating procedures can help manage these pressures. Team collaboration and clear communication with laboratory staff are also essential for ensuring specimens are processed efficiently and errors are minimized. Proactively seeking feedback and training opportunities can further support personal development and adaptability in this fast-paced environment.

How can I become a specimen processor?

To become a specimen processor, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should have attention to detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to handle biological samples safely. Some positions may require training on laboratory procedures and the use of processing equipment, which is often provided on the job. Certification is not usually mandatory but can enhance job prospects in some laboratories.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Specimen Processor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Specimen Processor, you need attention to detail, basic laboratory knowledge, and at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), barcode scanners, and sample handling protocols is often required. Strong organizational skills, reliability, and effective communication help you efficiently process and track specimens within a team environment. These abilities are essential to ensure the accuracy, safety, and timely handling of biological samples in a clinical or research laboratory.

What does a laboratory intern do?

A laboratory intern in a specimen processing role assists with preparing, labeling, and handling biological samples under supervision. They may operate lab equipment, follow safety protocols, and document procedures to support diagnostic or research activities.
More about Internship Specimen Processor jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Specimen Processor jobs? Cities with the most Internship Specimen Processor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Specimen Processor jobs? The most popular types of Specimen Processor jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Specimen Processor jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Specimen Processor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Specimen Processor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,475 per year, or $18 per hour.
Nuclear Reactor Design Internships

Nuclear Reactor Design Internships

Idaho National Laboratory

Idaho Falls, ID • On-site

$14.50 - $18.75/hr

Internship

Re-posted 22 days ago


Idaho National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

12th of 105 rated laboratories


Job description

Idaho National Laboratory University/College Internships-NUCLEAR REACTOR DESIGN INTERNSHIPS.
Typical Degree Programs Sought Include: (Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics)
Please note that if you are interested in other INL internship categories in addition to this one, you will need to complete the application for each of those categories as well. Most of the information you provide while completing the initial application carries over to your new applications. You will have to review your previously submitted information in each step, ensure it is complete and then click the submit button on the final step.
The Opportunity:
Internships at Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) hosts over 300 undergraduate and graduate students each year to support INL's mission. Opportunities for interns at INL range from nuclear engineering to cybersecurity and include non-scientific positions in various operations and business disciplines.
Join INL's team and find your exceptional educational experience in a real-world work environment. INL offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, innovate and conduct research with top researchers and professionals.
The Deliverables:
Interns will spend the first week of their assignment working with their mentor to outline their work scope and to secure resources for a successful internship. For the next several weeks, the mentor will provide considerable program assistance and guidance to the intern. In addition to regular activities, interns are invited to attend weekly seminars, tours and community events designed with career development in mind. Completion of a final project is highly recommended and can be completed through a variety of mediums - a traditional poster, electronic presentation or video.
The Process:
Through this single application, you are considered for all internship projects related to Nuclear Reactor Design. Simply complete the application questions which will help us identify what knowledge and experience you already have that may be related to the preferred qualifications for each individual internship project. It is common for applicants to receive consideration for multiple projects at varying times throughout the process. Mentors will make direct contact with applicants who meet their project qualifications to share the specific details of the project. On average, INL plans for approximately 300 internships each year. Most internships provide flexibility with start and end dates to account for varying university term schedules. We encourage early applications to increase the number of opportunities available to you.
The Projects:
Internship projects will focus on supporting safe operation of both today's nuclear power plants and tomorrow's. In addition to helping the U.S. nuclear industry safely extend the operating licenses of current reactors, INL engineers work with the world's nuclear experts to evaluate advanced nuclear reactor designs. Some projects interns have participated in recently include:
--Support various aspects of reactor experiment related tasks including: design, thermal analysis, mockup, and fabrication. Reactor experiments consist of small metal capsules that are filled with specimen materials of interest which are then placed in INL's Advanced Test Reactor. The purpose of the tests is to evaluate the performance of structural and fuel materials after having been bombarded with neutrons over a period of several months or more. The intern will have an opportunity to use cutting edge Abaqus Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software for thermal modeling. The intern is expected to have a working knowledge of 3D CAD software such as Solid Works or Inventor. The intern is expected to have strong oral and written communication skills; as well as mechanical engineering skills in areas such as heat transfer, materials, and machine design.
--This internship will assist in modeling efforts already underway for the United States High Performance Research Reactor (USHPRR) project at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). More specifically, modeling the Design Demonstration Element (DDE) representing several plates of interest present in the fuel elements of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. HFIR is expected to undergo conversion from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. The geometric complexity of HFIR's fuel element design is the curves of the outer and inner involute fuel plates. The neutronics analysis software currently used at INL to model experiments irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) is MCNP. There is no direct surface definition available in MCNP to explicitly model the involute curved plates of the HFIR DDE experiment. Thus, an intern would be tasked with developing methods to approximate the geometry, or possibly explore other radiation transport codes that could be used to directly model the involute fuel plate geometry of this experiment. The end of the summer deliverable is a model (or models) of the HFIR DDE that could be used to evaluate the HFIR DDE experiment for irradiation in ATR, a written report summarizing the work performed, and a presentation to the USHPRR DDE design team.
--The past several high power operating cycles of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) have proven challenging to meet the power levels required by the associated irradiation experiments' test objectives. It is standard practice to locate hafnium fixed shims or cobalt rods near fuel elements containing localized power peaks. However, these shim devices are both too grey in terms of suppressing localized power peaks in select ATR fuel plates. Another neutron absorber commonly used in the ATR core, is cadmium. Cadmium baskets are used as a thermal neutron filter for certain capsule experiments. This absorber is too black to reach the locations of interest where power peaks occur. Thus, there is a need to design a power shaping fixed shim specifically for the task of controlling local power peaks from the experiment locations nearest to the fuel locations of interest. It is desirable that the thermal flux depression surrounding this hypothetical absorber be variable in order to be able to control the "reach" from the experiment location to the fuel plate where the power peak occurs. Thus, a system of concentric annuli consisting of different absorber materials in each annulus will be explored. The intern project entails investigating the mean free path of different absorber annuli concepts and the impact on peak power in the adjacent fuel. The intern project will investigate these effects if the absorber annuli system is located in the Hfacility, South Standard Irradiation Facility, LargeA and SmallA positions, and smallB and largeB positions. Design of an ATR power shaping shim will potentially enable the ATR to operate with a higher lobe power, thus enabling more advanced irradiation.
--The summer intern will support neutronics analyses of experiment design studies for the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The intern will be expected to learn to utilize contemporary neutronics analysis software such as MCNP (Monte Carlo NParticle) to evaluate experiment designs and applications for near and/ or far term concepts to enable in house transient testing capabilities. Computational analyses will be performed on the INL High Performance Computing (HPC) systems and mentored by INL experts familiar with both the engineering tasks and neutronics studies to be performed.
Required Qualifications:
All Internship Candidates Must:
  • Have the ability to pass a background check
  • Possess a minimum overall 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Complete this application, which is used to place students based on their academic interests, coursework, knowledge and communication skills
  • Enrolled full time student status at an accredited college or university (undergraduate, graduate, PhD).

Note: Many INL community college interns are hired through the U.S. Department of Energy's Community College Internship Program. We recommend you also apply to DOE's Internship Program at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/cci/
Helpful Tips to Prepare You for Your INL Internship Application:
  1. Current resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
  3. Current class schedule and number of credits

Recommendations:
  • Work with your career center to develop a resume or CV that is functional (this is your opportunity for a first impression)
  • Review the INL website and learn more about our business and research programs and how they could enrich your degree plan https://www.inl.gov/
  • Ask your professors if they have collaborated on INL research programs and seek their permission to list them as a reference
  • Review the INL Academic Partnerships web site for valuable information on our internship programs https://www.inl.gov/inl-initiatives/education/

Internship Programs Specialists:
Ali Josephson (ali.josephson@inl.gov) Brian Rucks (brian.rucks@inl.gov)
Delisa Rogers (delisa.rogers@inl.gov) Myken Johnson (myken.johnson@inl.gov) Thomas Steele (thomas.steele@inl.gov)
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

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About Idaho National Laboratory

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Idaho National Laboratory is a leading multi-disciplinary national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's missions in nuclear and energy research, science, and national defence. Located in Idaho Falls, ID, US, it operates under the management of Battelle Energy Alliance. Since its inception in 1949, the lab has remained at the forefront of nuclear energy innovations and advancements, providing critical scientific and technological inputs to support national priorities. Guided by its commitment to excellence, innovative research, collaborative partnerships, and integrity, the lab continues to play a vital role in driving America's nuclear and energy future.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Idaho Falls, ID, US

Year founded

1949

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