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County of Los Angeles · 1 day ago

LABORATORY ASSISTANT

Los Angeles County, CA

Full-time

Onsite

New Grad, Entry Level

0+ years exp

The County of Los Angeles is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to assist laboratory personnel in performing standard laboratory tests and managing lower-level laboratory staff. The role involves handling patient specimens, logging information, preparing samples for testing, and maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies.

CommunitiesGovernmentNon Profit

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Receives patient specimens such as blood, urine, feces, pulmonary fluids, gastro-intestinal fluids, body carry fluids, and sputum slides with standard laboratory request forms providing information such as patient's name and tests to be performed by licensed personnel; verifies patient's name and permanent file number by matching information on request form and specimen container

Logs in specimen information such as patient's name, permanent file number, and hospital ward number in laboratory log, worksheet or computer; routes specimen to appropriate work station or laboratory for the standard tests to be performed

Prepares specimens for laboratory testing by adding fixatives or preservatives utilizing a prescribed technique/instrument appropriate to the type of specimen

Processes specimens for subsequent analysis by licensed personnel by performing duties such as making primary inoculations of test material to be cultured, and smearing and staining test specimens on laboratory glass slides and/or plates

Operates semi-and fully-automatic laboratory equipment pre-calibrated by licensed laboratory personnel to perform specific tests; loads specimen on machine, and records machine-derived test results portrayed in the form of a digital read-out, and alerts supervisor before proceeding if test result or procedure outcome falls outside a specific range

Transcribes laboratory test results from laboratory reports/worksheets into a permanent log or computer; routes laboratory reports to patients' ward so medical personnel will be informed of laboratory findings

Prepares specific quantities of media, reagents (including acids) and other solutions and compounds by mixing components to standard ratios using laboratory apparatus such as balances, volumetric and graduated cylinders following written procedures; lifts and moves containers holding several gallons or other substantial quantity of constituent parts or compounds produced

Performs scheduled routine maintenance on miscellaneous devices such as microscopes, centrifuges, and knife sharpeners

Maintains laboratory supplies and equipment by cleaning stain set-ups and filters; refresh or replace solutions according to department policies and procedures

Provides technical direction to a group of lower-level laboratory positions by assigning and reviewing their work to ensure efficient unit operation, and informs supervisor of their performance; trains personnel in the performance of lower-level laboratory work, and resolves scheduling, work assignment, technical and operational problems within established guidelines

Responds to telephone inquiries regarding laboratory test results and routes technical inquiries to higher level personnel

Qualification

Laboratory testingSpecimen processingLaboratory equipment operationTranscribing resultsMedia preparationTechnical directionTraining personnelCommunication skills

Required

Six months' experience in laboratory work in a public health, medical or biological laboratory

Laboratory work is defined as experience accessioning and/or processing specimens for diagnostic testing using general laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuge, autoclave, scale, etc.)