Sonora Quest Laboratories: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Sonora Quest Laboratories was founded in 1997 as a joint venture between Banner Health, one of Arizona's largest health systems, and Quest Diagnostics, one of the largest clinical laboratory companies in the United States. The company operates under the parent entity Laboratory Sciences of Arizona (LSA) and is headquartered in the Phoenix/Tempe, Arizona area. David Dexter joined Sonora Quest as president and CEO in 1999 and led the organization for more than 26 years before his planned retirement, with Jennifer Erickson, a former Sonora Quest CFO, later stepping into the CEO role.

Sonora Quest has grown significantly since its founding, opening dedicated laboratories in Tucson (2002), Northern Arizona (2006), and additional facilities in Prescott and Yuma (2010) to expand its reach across the state. The company has received numerous accolades, including the Arizona Governor's Award for Quality in 2005, making it the only healthcare company to receive that distinction, and has been recognized as a Best Places to Work honoree ten times. Sonora Quest is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, considered the gold standard in laboratory accreditation.

Today, Sonora Quest performs more than 90 to 100 million diagnostic tests annually, employing roughly 3,800 to 3,900 people across more than 55 to 70 Patient Service Centers throughout Arizona, including locations inside Safeway grocery stores. The company's comprehensive test menu spans routine diagnostics, molecular and genetic/genomic testing, prescription drug monitoring, women's health testing, and pathology services. Sonora Quest's workforce includes phlebotomists and laboratory technicians who collect and process patient specimens, medical laboratory scientists, and Patient Service Center staff who interact directly with patients.

Company culture and employee programs: Sonora Quest emphasizes accuracy and timeliness in diagnostic testing as central to its mission of supporting patient care and healthcare decision-making across Arizona. The company has been active in community outreach initiatives, including participation in local health awareness events. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by role and location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the clinical laboratory and healthcare industry, including Sonora Quest, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Sonora Quest is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for clinical laboratory and healthcare employers, particularly given direct patient contact and access to sensitive medical information.

The hiring process for laboratory and patient service roles at Sonora Quest typically includes an application, an interview, verification of any required certifications such as phlebotomy or medical laboratory science credentials, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a clinical laboratory role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws and healthcare industry requirements may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the role.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to a role involving direct patient contact and access to medical information. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Sonora Quest Laboratories may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Sonora Quest Laboratories or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.