Medical Lab Tech Program Lab Assistant

Medical Lab Tech Program Lab Assistant

Title: Medical Lab Tech Program Lab Assistant

Agency: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Location: Richmond (City) - 760

FLSA: Nonexempt

Hiring Range: $30 - $35/hour

Full Time or Part Time: Part Time

Job Description: Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia's capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a racially diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our students. We also believe in providing an ongoing investment in our faculty and staff to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population. The Skills Laboratory Assistant supports the Medical Laboratory Technology Program by assisting with laboratory preparation, equipment maintenance, inventory management, and operational support of instructional laboratory activities. This position helps ensure a safe, organized, and effective learning environment for students by maintaining laboratory readiness, supporting faculty laboratory instruction, and coordinating routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies.

Laboratory Preparation and Support

• Prepare laboratory classrooms and workstations for student laboratory exercises according to faculty instructions.
• Set up, organize, and distribute laboratory materials, reagents, specimens, consumables, and supplies before scheduled laboratory sessions.
• Clean and restore laboratory work areas following instructional activities.
• Assist in maintaining a safe laboratory environment in accordance with college policies, OSHA guidelines, and laboratory safety procedures.
• Support faculty during laboratory sessions by addressing routine equipment and supply needs.

Equipment Maintenance and Management

• Perform routine operational checks, cleaning, calibration verification, and preventive maintenance activities on laboratory equipment as directed.
• Maintain maintenance records, equipment logs, service documentation, and inventory records.
• Coordinate equipment repairs and service requests with vendors, biomedical equipment technicians, or college facilities personnel.
• Monitor equipment functionality and report malfunctions or safety concerns to faculty and program administration.

Inventory and Supply Management

• Maintain laboratory inventory of supplies, consumables, reagents, and instructional materials.
• Monitor stock levels and notify program leadership regarding reorder needs.
• Assist with receiving, unpacking, labeling, storing, and organizing laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Properly dispose of laboratory waste in accordance with safety regulations and institutional procedures.

Student Learning Enhancement and Laboratory Skills Support

• Provide hands-on support to students in the development and practice of essential medical laboratory skills, reinforcing techniques introduced by faculty in laboratory and clinical coursework.
• Assist students during scheduled skills practice sessions, open laboratory hours, and skills remediation activities.
• Support student competency development in foundational laboratory procedures, including:
  • Phlebotomy and specimen collection techniques
  • Proper microscope operation, care, focusing, and slide examination
  • Accurate pipetting and measurement techniques
  • Specimen handling, labeling, and processing procedures
  • Basic laboratory safety and infection control practices
  • Quality control and quality assurance procedures
  • Preparation and use of common laboratory equipment and instrumentation

Administrative Support

• Maintain records related to laboratory inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety inspections.
• Assist with annual equipment inventories and resource assessments.
• Support preparation of laboratory materials for accreditation reviews, audits, and program assessments as requested.

Other Duties

• Participate in training related to laboratory safety and equipment operation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support program operations.
• Processes samples for testing including centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, and shipping. Provides support for clinical testing including preparing slides, media cultures, or verifying tests results prior to the lab sessions.
• Manages supplies appropriately recognizing test kit, QC, or reagent expiration date vs. "open date" expiration date.
• Assist students and instructors during laboratory courses by teaching the correct operation of microscopes, pipettes, and other laboratory equipment, promoting adherence to safety standards, and supporting hands-on laboratory learning experiences to enhance student competency and success.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge Basic laboratory safety principles and infection control practices. Laboratory equipment operation and maintenance procedures. Inventory control and supply management practices. Recordkeeping and documentation procedures.

Skills Organization and attention to detail. Equipment troubleshooting and maintenance support. Inventory tracking and stock management. Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications. Effective written and verbal communication.

Abilities Follow detailed instructions and established laboratory protocols. Prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Work independently as well as collaboratively with faculty and staff. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Establish positive working relationships with students, faculty, and vendors. Work independently while following established procedures.

Experience Training in laboratory safety practices. Training in handling laboratory equipment and supplies. Ability to learn and follow OSHA, infection control, chemical hygiene, and college safety procedures.

Preferred

• Training in laboratory quality assurance and quality control.
• Experience with equipment calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Training in hazardous waste management and laboratory chemical handling.
• Familiarity with CLIA-regulated laboratory environments.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff.

Additional Considerations: Special licenses, registration/certification. Preferred - MLT, MLS

This is a restricted position that is dependent upon funding. The availability of funding is scheduled to end on June 30, 2029, but may be extended based on the continuation of funding. Continued employment is contingent upon funding availability.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management