Role Description

Scientific > Laboratory Assistant

Salary National Average

Low Medium High
40430.0000 48900.0000 58760.0000

Change from Previous Year:

+6%

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Candidate Supply: 953 Job Openings: 25,193

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Short Description:

Lab Assistants perform a variety of duties to help scientists and medical professionals. Lab Assistants prepare and monitor experiments and tests in a medical or research laboratory. They analyzes data and creates reports based on the results of tests. They set up lab equipment and clean lab rooms following a research experiment. The daily duties of a Lab Assistant vary depending on their industry and type of research. 

Duties / Responsibilities:

  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
  • Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
  • Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
  • Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood samples.
  • Supervise or instruct other technicians or laboratory assistants.
  • Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
  • Inoculate fertilized eggs, broths, or other bacteriological media with organisms.
  • Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
  • Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.

Skills / Requirements / Qualifications

  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems
  • Teaching others how to do something..
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Job Zones

  • Title: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
  • Education:  Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Related Experience:  Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
  • Job Training:  Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Job Zone Examples:  These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
  • SVP Range:  (6.0 to < 7.0)

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