Non-Smile Resource

Author: Unknown Document Number: Per10-03

Effective (or Post) Date: 28 Dec 2006
Document Origin Company: Unknown
Unknown SMILE Approved by: Erin Gover
Review by Heidi Hanes Review date 17 Feb 2020
pSMILE Comments: This document is provided as an example only. It must be revised to accurately reflect
your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol requirements. Users are encouraged to ensure
compliance with local laws and study protocol policies when considering the application of this document.
If you have any questions contact SMILE.

Job Description - Laboratory Technician

Position Title: Laboratory Technician
Job Family:
Pay Grade:
Position Number:

General Summary:

Following routine protocols under the close supervision of a faculty

investigator or a senior technician, performs laboratory tests utilizing requisite
lab equipment and instruments, making minor adjustments as required.
Typically works with biohazardous and/or radioactive materials. Responsible
for laboratory maintenance, preparing solutions and media and ordering
supplies. May be responsible for care of laboratory animals.

Essential Job Functions:

Performs laboratory tests and/or experiments which may include various

assays, specialized techniques such as electrophoresis and basic tissue
culture, following established procedures or protocols.

Operates requisite laboratory equipment and instruments; records data;

maintains and makes minor adjustments to equipment.

Uses Standard safety precautions to protect self and co-workers from

biohazardous materials, including blood-borne pathogens.

Complies with biohazard/radiation safety standards through proper handling of

potentially hazardous chemical and biological agents and/or radiation sources
in the workplace.

Completes annual university biohazard/universal precaution/radiation safety

training, as appropriate.

Participate in specimen collection when required according to test requested,

either directly by venipuncture or skin puncture; maintain responsibility for
patient identification, specimen labeling and collection verification, or
instructing patients or other healthcare providers in collection and preservation
techniques for urine, sputum, stool, scrapings, autologous/directed donations,
or other specimens for analysis.

Prepares sterile media such as agar in plates, jars, or test tubes for use in
growing bacterial cultures.

Prepares solutions, reagents, and stains following standard laboratory

formulas and procedures.

Uses sterile techniques to avoid contaminating lab experiments.

Prepares, cleans, sterilizes, and maintains laboratory equipment, glassware,

and instruments used in research experiments.

Monitors inventory levels, orders materials and supplies in accordance with

established policies and procedures, counts orders upon receipt.

Scope of Responsibility:

Knows the informal policies, procedures and practices necessary to conduct

the normal function of a specific section, unit, or work area. Is aware of the
role of the position and its potential impact on the working unit.

Decision Making:

Carries out duties and responsibilities with limited supervision. Makes

decisions and establishes work priorities on essentially procedure-oriented
operations.

Authority:

Does not direct the activities of staff or a function.

Communication:
Exchanges routine information in an appropriate manner requiring good oral
and written communication skills.

Education:

Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

Gained through college level classwork in the sciences or summer

employment. Biological science coursework, or experience in a biological
laboratory is preferred.

Certification:

Required: No Requirements

Physical Requirements:

Work produced is subject to precise measures of quantity and quality.

Work environment may include areas of unpleasant extremes of cold or heat.

Biohazardous conditions such as the risk of radiation exposure, fumes or

airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals may be present in this
work environment which mandate attention to safety considerations.

Near vision to see objects clearly within 20 inches.

Sharp focus to adjust vision when doing close work that changes in distance
from eyes.

Full spectrum vision to identify and distinguish color.

Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with
whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.

Handling by seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the

hand or hands, but without finger dexterity.

Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.

Occasionally lifting, carrying objects weighing 10 lbs. or less.

Occasionally pushing, pulling objects weighing 30 lbs. or less.

Ability to move about.

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a
regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.