Academic Lab Assistant

Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona (CA)

On-site

USD 24,108 - 26,009

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA is seeking an Academic Laboratory Assistant to support the College of Veterinary Medicine laboratories. You will embalm/harvest, prepare anatomical specimens and assist with cadaver-based activities under the supervision of the Academic Laboratory Manager.

The role requires strong organizational skills, reliability, and the ability to work with faculty, staff, and students in a learning-focused environment.

Qualifications

Education/experience meeting the job knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Experience in an anatomy lab or academic setting.

Responsibilities

Maintain cleanliness and organization of CVM labs and restock as needed.
Provide technical and non-technical support to faculty and staff in CVM labs.
Procure and store laboratory specimens via WAVE program; transport donations.
Assist with labs setup, execution, and teardown of anatomy labs.
Assist with other duties as assigned by the Academic Laboratory Manager.

Skills

Communication

Self-motivation

Interpersonal skills

Cadaver handling

Prioritization

Record keeping

Lab maintenance

Tools

WAVE program

Job description

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture. At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others. Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Position Title

Position Title Academic Lab Assistant

Position Control Number

Position Control Number 999045

Type of Position

Type of Position Staff

Position Status

Position Status Full-time

Campus

Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

Position Location

Position Location California

Department

Department 1701-College of Veterinary Medicine

Job Summary

The Academic Laboratory Assistant provides technical and non-technical support to the academic labs of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Embalm/harvest, prepare anatomical specimens and provide support for cadaver-based activities. The Academic Laboratory Assistant reports to the Academic Laboratory Manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Good verbal and written communication skills
2. Self-motivation, initiative and able to work independently
3. Ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff and students
4. Ability to work with and around embalmed/non-embalmed animal cadavers and pieces
5. Ability to prioritize workload
6. Must be able to maintain accurate records.
7. Must be able to maintain equipment and supplies related to embalming

Required Qualifications

1. Education: Any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
2. Experience: Experience working in an anatomy laboratory or similar laboratory setting and/or academic setting

Preferred Qualifications

1-2 years of direct anatomical laboratory experience

Key Responsibilities

1. Maintains cleanliness and organization of the Multi-Disciplinary Classroom ( MDC ) and other CVM teaching laboratories, and restocks labs as needed.
2. Provides technical and non-technical support to faculty and staff (including RVTs) that utilize the laboratories of the CVM .
- a. Assists faculty and staff with lab set-up, assists during actual labs and tear-down of labs.
- b. Assists faculty with preparing specimens for use in anatomy labs.
3. Assists with procurement and storage of laboratory specimens through the WAVE program.
- a. Provides transportation for WAVE donations using WesternU CVM vehicle.
- b. Maintains freezer and refrigerated storage of specimens in an orderly fashion.
4. Provide technical and non-technical support to faculty and staff (including RVT’s) that utilize the labs of the CVM
- a. Assist faculty and staff (including RVT’s) with labs, set-up, assist during actual labs and tear-down of labs.
- b. Assist faculty with preparing specimens for use in labs
5. Assists with other duties and tasks as assigned by the Academic Laboratory Manager.

Posting Details Continued

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, however whenever applicable weekends and overtime may be required

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,

Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum

Minimum $17.50 Hourly

Maximum

Maximum $18.88 Hourly

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any 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 frequently required to use hands, reach with hands and arms, and stoop. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Describe 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.

Duties of the Senior Academic Lab Assistant/ WAVE Coordinator are normally performed in a typical laboratory setting. Occasionally the employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in this setting is usually moderate due to telephone calls, office equipment, and normal student traffic.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S01612

Posting Date

Posting Date 04/28/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled No

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

Required Documents