Lab Assistant II

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment, under direct and constant supervision. Activity must be signed-off by license-qualified personnel.
• Finds missing samples.
• Decontaminates work areas.
• Performs weekly radioactive wipe tests, if applicable.
• Changes gas cylinders.
• Uses the laboratory computer system as well as operates PCs.
• Provides input regarding training and checklists.
• Assists with the department quality improvement program.
• Responsible for informing supervisory personnel of suspected problems.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Perform specimen receiving, labeling, handling and preparation.
• Assist with pre-analytical preparation of specimens (e.g., printing labels, uncap/cap specimen tubes, aliquot specimens, prepare racks, worklists, enter/scan specimens).
• Record digital temperature; notify licensed personnel if temperature is out of range.
• Assist in preparation of chemicals, reagents and solutions that do not require quantitative measurement.
• Clean, organize and maintain work area, glassware and laboratory equipment (e.g., refrigerators, freezers and supply cabinets, as needed).
• Assist with monitoring the department pending and overdue lists, which includes, searching, locating, following up and filing appropriate documentation.
• Perform other departmental tasks such as filing, archiving and retrieving slides/blocks, reports, requisitions/other paperwork and answering the telephone.
• Dispose of biohazardous material.
• Perform QA/QC duties as assigned.
• Complete training and competency checklists as appropriate.
• Comply with all health and safety policies, procedures and practices. Required to use personal protective equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate or equivalent required.
• One (1) year full-time experience in a technical or clinical laboratory department required.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects: Objects 1 to 10 pounds are lifted and carried frequently; objects 11 to 25 pounds are lifted and carried occasionally; objects 36 to 50 pounds are seldom lifted or carried and objects over 50 pounds are not to be lifted or carried without assistance.
• Ability to stand and work at the bench for long periods of time.
• Frequent walking and/or standing.
• May be required to use a wide variety of manual and automated pipettes and laboratory instruments and apparatuses all of which demand significant manual dexterity.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Competent in addressing department pending lists, finding missing specimens.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow a series of steps without confusion or error on an on-going basis.
• Must have the ability to establish work priorities and to handle several tasks for maximum workstation efficiency.
• Must be able to retain information once learned.
• Must interact with other coworkers, internal and external customers with courtesy and respect.
• Must be detail-oriented, able to work independently, establish work priorities and to handle several tasks simultaneously for maximum department efficiency.
• Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and clients.
• Ability to deal with client information in a confidential manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and Laboratory Information Systems.