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Reference Lab Jobs in Miami, FL (NOW HIRING)

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Reference Lab information

See Miami, FL salary details

$9

$24

$43

How much do reference lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for reference lab in Miami, FL is $24.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.41 and $26.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in a reference laboratory, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a reference laboratory often encounter challenges such as managing high sample volumes, meeting strict turnaround times, and ensuring accuracy across a diverse range of tests. Effective communication with clinical teams and meticulous attention to detail are essential to maintain workflow efficiency and minimize errors. Continuous training and familiarity with evolving technologies also help staff stay current with best practices and regulatory requirements, ensuring high-quality results and patient safety.

What is a Reference Lab?

A reference lab is a specialized medical laboratory that performs high-complexity or specialized diagnostic testing, often on samples sent from hospitals, clinics, or other medical facilities. These labs have advanced equipment and expertise to conduct tests that are not typically available in smaller or local labs. Reference labs play a crucial role in providing accurate results for rare, complex, or high-volume tests, supporting physicians in diagnosing and treating patients. They may also offer consultation on test interpretation and guidance on appropriate testing strategies.

What is the difference between Reference Lab vs Medical Laboratory Technician?

AspectReference LabMedical Laboratory Technician
CredentialsVaries; often specialized certifications or licensure depending on tests performedAssociate's degree in medical laboratory technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentLarge laboratories, hospitals, or diagnostic centers; handling high volume testingHospital labs, clinics, or diagnostic facilities; performing routine tests under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by diagnostic companies and hospitals for specialized testingCommonly employed in healthcare settings for sample analysis

Reference Labs and Medical Laboratory Technicians both work in laboratory settings, but Reference Labs typically handle high-volume, specialized testing often for multiple clients, while Medical Laboratory Technicians perform routine testing under supervision. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Reference Laboratory Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Reference Laboratory Technician, you need a solid background in laboratory science, attention to detail, and typically an associate's or bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS), automated analyzers, and quality control procedures is essential, along with certifications like ASCP or AMT being highly valued. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently under strict deadlines are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate test processing, reliable results, and efficient lab operations critical for patient diagnosis and care.
What job categories do people searching Reference Lab jobs in Miami, FL look for? The top searched job categories for Reference Lab jobs in Miami, FL are:
Infographic showing various Reference Lab job openings in Miami, FL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 3% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,229 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
Clinical Laboratory Assistant 2 (UHealth Labs Transition)

Clinical Laboratory Assistant 2 (UHealth Labs Transition)

University of Miami

Miami, FL

Full-time

Medical, Dental

Posted 21 days ago


University Of Miami rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 52 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

215th of 535 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees:

If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position, please review this tip sheet.

The UHealth Laboratories Department has an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Laboratory Assistant 2 to work in Miami, FL. The Clinical Laboratory Assistant 2 performs a variety of routine duties in assisting technical and professional personnel in clinical and research laboratories. An employee in this position provides broad support for the laboratory operations.
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Identifies, handles, and accessions patient samples requiring laboratory testing.
2. Transports specimens and communicates test results timely and accurately.
3. Maintains required laboratory files and logs system in a neat and accurate manner.
4. Performs specimen processing, such as centrifugation, aliquoting, and volume measurement.
5. Maintains adequate inventory level as per protocol.
6. Participates in the performance improvement processes for the department.
7. Maintains assigned work area in a clean and orderly condition.
8. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information according to federal and state guidelines and regulations.
9. Generates patient reports and forwarding them to the proper departments/physicians.
10. Investigates and responds to all inquiries or problems related to referral testing; Answers all inquiries made by the Reference Lab and resolves problem associated with improper or inadequate samples. Answers all inquiries made by physicians or patient unit personnel related to specimen requirements.
11. Maintains adequate inventory levels as per protocol and rotates previous stock when it applies
12. Checks packing slips, verifies number of items received, documents, and gives copy to supervisor/designee.
13. Serves as a lead/Back-up when Supervisor is unavailable.
14. Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as necessary.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
High School Diploma or equivalent/relevant experience, certification or license
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required
Refer to department description for applicable certification requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.

  • Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.

  • Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.

  • Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.


This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. We're the challenge you've been looking for.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.

Job Status:

Full time

Employee Type:

Staff

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About University of Miami

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Miami, located in the beautiful Coral Gables, Florida, is a comprehensive, private research institution in the United States. Operating within the higher education industry, the institution offers a multitude of degree programs spanning over 180 majors and program through its 12 colleges. The University was founded in 1925 with the mission to disseminate knowledge, transform lives, and change the world - a mission it has held faithfully to this day. Notably, the University of Miami has gained global recognition for its commitment to research and innovation, with over $324 million in research and sponsored project funding awarded annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Coral Gables, FL, US

Year founded

1925