Laboratory Technician

About the Job

Summary:

Performs daily lab duties and assists with special projects and routine lab analyses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: Other duties may be assigned.

• Bacteriological media preparation.
• Clean, maintain, and organize glassware, plasticware, and monitor instrumentation.
• Proper collection and preparation of samples for physical, microbiology, and/or chemistry analyses.
• Perform bench top microbiology and/or chemistry analyses with proper supervision.
• Performs sample collection at production facilities.
• Responsible for any and all directions from senior management.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Interpersonal Skills : Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication : Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification.
• Diversity : Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Ethics : Treats people with respect; Works with integrity and ethically.
• Organizational Support : Follows policies and procedures.
• Professionalism : Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Quality : Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Work will be monitored to insure quality.
• Quantity : Completes work in timely manner, Works quickly.
• Safety and Security : Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Attendance/Punctuality : Is consistently at work and on time.

Dependability:

Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily based on the approval of lab management. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

A college degree in a science field is preferred. Some college with an emphasis in science or a high school diploma with 1-3 years of appropriate work experience in a laboratory setting or processing facility. Understanding of food safety in a processing environment is a plus.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of metric weights.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and/or oral form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Must be able to read and write English. Must be computer literate. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

Physical Demands :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk; hear and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, live bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne bacteria (pathogens); extreme cold; risk of electrical shock and flammables. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.