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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Laboratory Technician Assistant

💰 $30,000 - $50,000

LaboratoryHealthcareLife SciencesTechnicalTechnician

🎯 Role Definition

The Laboratory Technician Assistant supports laboratory operations by preparing samples and reagents, maintaining equipment and workspaces, recording and managing experimental data, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety regulations. This role is ideal for candidates who bring meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, basic lab techniques (pipetting, centrifugation, microscopy), and a commitment to quality and regulatory compliance (GLP/GMP/OSHA). The Laboratory Technician Assistant frequently interfaces with senior lab staff, contributes to quality control and inventory management, and helps ensure timely, accurate test and experiment turnaround.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • High school diploma with laboratory coursework or vocational lab programs
  • Medical/clinical collection roles (phlebotomy aide) or production associate roles
  • Laboratory volunteer, intern, or co-op roles in research or clinical labs

Advancement To:

  • Laboratory Technician / Lab Technologist (with on-the-job experience or certification)
  • Senior Laboratory Technician or Specialist (after 2–5 years)
  • Quality Control Analyst, Research Assistant, or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (with degree or certification)

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control Assistant
  • Inventory/Materials Coordinator for laboratory supplies
  • Sterile Processing or Environmental Monitoring Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare, label, and process clinical or research samples (blood, tissue, environmental, cell culture supernatants) according to established SOPs, ensuring correct chain-of-custody and accurate sample identification.
  • Perform routine laboratory techniques such as precise micropipetting, vortexing, centrifugation, serial dilutions, reagent preparation, and basic microscopy, maintaining accurate technique to support reproducible results.
  • Operate, clean, and perform first-line maintenance and calibration checks on laboratory instruments (centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, microscopes, autoclaves, pipettes) and escalate technical faults to service providers or senior staff.
  • Record experimental and testing results accurately and legibly in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems (LIMS, ELN), ensuring data integrity, version control, and audit readiness.
  • Prepare reagents, buffers, media, and solutions under sterile conditions, following recipe specifications, expiration tracking, and proper storage requirements.
  • Support routine assays and protocols (e.g., ELISA plate setup, PCR setup assistance, gram staining, culture plate streaking) under supervision, following quality and contamination-control practices.
  • Maintain and update reagent, consumable, and sample inventories; prepare supply requests; receive, inspect, and shelve incoming materials in compliance with storage conditions and FIFO processes.
  • Implement laboratory safety practices including correct use of PPE, chemical labeling, SDS handling, biohazard containment, and proper sharps and hazardous waste disposal according to institutional and regulatory policies (OSHA, local biosafety guidelines).
  • Prepare laboratory workspaces for experiments and ensure thorough cleaning, decontamination, and sterilization of equipment and surfaces between procedures to reduce contamination risk.
  • Assist with specimen accessioning, barcoding, and logging into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring samples are tracked and retrievable for downstream analysis.
  • Perform quality-control checks such as running controls and blanks, documenting out-of-range observations, and assisting in corrective action documentation to maintain test validity.
  • Monitor incubators, cold rooms, freezers, and cryogenic storage, logging temperature checks and initiating alarms or corrective actions when temperature excursions occur.
  • Support sample shipping and receiving, including packaging biological materials according to IATA or institutional requirements, preparing chain-of-custody documents, and coordinating with couriers.
  • Conduct routine environmental monitoring (surface swabs, air monitoring) and document findings to support laboratory cleanliness and contamination surveillance programs.
  • Assist in training new lab assistants on basic procedures, safe handling techniques, and documentation protocols to ensure consistent operational standards.
  • Help prepare materials and summaries for internal audits, external inspections, and regulatory reporting by compiling logs, calibration records, training records, and inventory lists.
  • Label and store hazardous chemicals and biological reagents following hazardous materials protocols; maintain up-to-date chemical inventories and assist with hazard communication programs.
  • Dispose of biological and chemical waste using approved containers and procedures, prepare waste manifests when required, and coordinate scheduled waste pickups.
  • Support small-scale sample preparation for analytical instruments (HPLC, GC, mass spectrometers) by performing filtration, dilution, centrifugation, and degassing as instructed.
  • Troubleshoot routine procedural and process issues (e.g., pipette inconsistencies, contaminated cultures), documenting incidents and working with senior staff to implement preventive measures.
  • Assist in basic data aggregation and reporting tasks: formatting spreadsheets, creating simple charts, and exporting LIMS reports to support scientists and lab managers in decision-making.
  • Maintain comprehensive daily logs for equipment, reagents, and bench activities to ensure traceability and continuity of lab operations across shifts.
  • Support cross-functional projects, such as method transfers, validation runs, or inventory audits, by performing time-critical tasks and following project-specific checklists and timelines.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, lean lab principles) to optimize workflow, reduce waste, and improve turnaround times in the laboratory environment.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with ad-hoc data pulls, sample reconciliation, and basic exploratory data reviews to support senior scientists’ analyses and reporting needs.
  • Contribute input to process improvement initiatives and SOP updates based on firsthand bench experience and observed workflow inefficiencies.
  • Collaborate with procurement and facilities teams to coordinate equipment service schedules and to expedite replacements or repairs to minimize downtime.
  • Support cross-training programs to increase bench coverage flexibility and to build a resilient, multi-skilled laboratory workforce.
  • Participate in team meetings, safety briefings, and incident investigations to share observations and contribute to a culture of continuous safety improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in basic laboratory techniques: precise pipetting, serial dilutions, centrifugation, vortexing, plate handling, and basic microscopy.
  • Experience with sample accessioning and tracking using LIMS or ELN systems; comfortable with barcode scanning and digital recordkeeping.
  • Familiarity with preparing buffers, reagents, culture media, and working solutions according to SOPs, with strict attention to concentrations and expiry.
  • Competence performing routine instrument operation and first-line maintenance for centrifuges, balances, pipettes, pH meters, and autoclaves.
  • Working knowledge of aseptic technique, sterile handling, and contamination-control procedures for cell culture or microbiology environments.
  • Basic understanding of regulatory frameworks and quality systems (GLP, GMP, ISO principles, OSHA) and ability to follow SOPs and documentation requirements.
  • Ability to perform basic PCR setup assistance, gel preparation, staining, and imaging (where applicable) while observing contamination-prevention measures.
  • Experience with inventory management tools, ordering workflows, and cold-chain logistics for temperature-sensitive reagents and samples.
  • Competence in performing routine QC checks, logging results, and flagging out-of-spec conditions for supervisor review.
  • Comfortable preparing and packaging biological/chemical shipments compliant with institutional and regulatory requirements (IATA, DOT).
  • Basic computer skills: MS Office (Excel for simple data logging and pivot tables), LIMS queries, and electronic communication tools.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail, with the discipline to maintain accurate logs and follow stepwise protocols without shortcuts.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills to prioritize multiple sample streams and meet turnaround targets.
  • Clear verbal and written communication to document procedures, report anomalies, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Team-oriented mindset and willingness to assist senior staff, share workload, and contribute to a positive lab culture.
  • Problem-solving orientation: ability to recognize routine issues, perform basic troubleshooting, and escalate appropriately.
  • Reliability and accountability: consistent attendance, adherence to scheduled shifts, and responsible handling of critical tasks.
  • Adaptability and eagerness to learn new techniques, equipment, and software as the laboratory evolves.
  • Commitment to safety, ethical practice, and maintaining confidentiality of sensitive data or patient-related information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with coursework in biology, chemistry, or applied sciences; or vocational certificate in laboratory assisting.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or related field.
  • Certifications or coursework in phlebotomy, sterile technique, or laboratory safety are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Biology / Microbiology
  • Chemistry / Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Laboratory Science
  • Biotechnology / Life Sciences

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of laboratory experience; internships, co-ops, or relevant coursework count toward experience.

Preferred:

  • 1–2 years working in clinical, research, pharmaceutical, or industrial laboratory settings with documented familiarity with routine bench techniques, LIMS use, and compliance with SOPs and safety protocols.
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