Laboratory Assistant

University of California, Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis in Davis, CA is seeking a laboratory support role to assist with clinical specimen processing, glass washing, and media preparation. The position supports multiple lab sections and requires careful handling of potentially infectious materials, along with inventory management and waste disposal.

The role involves customer service duties, coordination of sample intake, and assisting with animal care and restraint as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience handling high-volume work with accuracy.
• Ability to learn diagnostic procedures and terminology.
• Strong communication skills with clients and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Receive clinical specimens and perform initial processing.
• Assist with glass washing, sterilization, and media preparation.
• Handle biohazardous waste and chemical waste management.
• Provide telephone customer service and client support.
• Aid in animal care and restraint as needed.
• Maintain inventory and proper storage of media and reagents.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Sample handling

Laboratory terminology

Safety procedures

Sterilization

Lab equipment knowledge

Tools

PH meters

Centrifuges

Autoclaves

Glass washers

Sterilizing ovens

Volumetric glassware

Job description

Budgeted Salary: Initial placement will be between $24.77 – $26.93/Hour, commensurate with educational background and relevant working experience.

Under general supervision, receives clinical specimens from clients and performs specimen processing/receiving for testing by reconciling, coordinating, managing and executing the receipt of samples, aid the various lab sections by providing glass washing and sterilization services, prepares clinical specimens and media for routine shipments, biohazardous disposal and chem-waste management, providing telephone customer service, assistance in animal care and restraint, as well as inventory and proper storage of biological media/reagents.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working in flexible conditions and to handle a high volume of work in a short period of time, while providing attention to detail with a high level of accuracy.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal, oral and written communication skills to effectively interact with a wide variety of clients, veterinarians, co-workers in various discipline within the laboratory, and individuals from other University units, government/outside agencies both in person and on the phone.
• Working knowledge of diagnostic procedures and tests used in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, as well as veterinary & medical terminology.
• Skills to learn appropriate samples for a variety of microbiologic, immunologic, histologic and clinical chemistry tests and adverse sample conditions that may affect testing.
• Skills to use analytical balances, volumetric glassware, PH meters, centrifuges, automated dispensing equipment, sterilizing ovens, glass washers and dryers, and autoclaves.
• Skills to work with blood, dead animals, tissues, and to handle potentially infectious material.
• Computer skills to quickly/accurately perform data entry into computer.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

• Ability to learn UC purchasing policies, procedures and forms.
• Skill to learn computer programs designed for sample tracking, worksheet production, and workload reporting

Special Requirements

This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.

Job ID# 64337

The University of California, Davis is an Affirmitive Action/Equal Opportunity Employer