Laboratory Assistant (LAB AST 3)

University of California; Davis (SD); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Laboratory Assistant 3 for specimen processing and management in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The role involves handling clinical specimens, providing customer service, and ensuring accurate data entry. Candidates should have experience in a laboratory setting and strong communication skills. This full-time position offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

High quality medical plans

Dental and Vision insurance premiums covered

Extensive leave benefits

Paid Holidays

Continuing Education allowance

Access to professional development courses

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Retirement benefit options

Qualifications

• Experience in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
• Knowledge of veterinary and medical terminology.
• Ability to handle potentially infectious materials.

Responsibilities

• Manage and process clinical specimens.
• Prepare media and perform glass washing.
• Provide telephone coverage and report results.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication

Data entry

Analytical skills

Tools

Analytical balances

Volumetric glassware

PH meters

Centrifuges

Autoclaves

Job description

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.

Apply By Date : June 1, 2025 at 11:59pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Key Responsibilities

• 45% - Specimen and Date Management
• 35% - Glass Washing / Media Preparation and Shipping Areas
• 20% - Telephone Coverage and Results Reporting

Department Overview

CAHFS provides California's livestock and poultry industries, and veterinary practitioners who serve them, with a full range of diagnostic laboratory services for disease control, enhancement of health management, and protection from diseases common to animal and humans. In meeting this need, the CAHFS also serves as the backbone of California's disease warning system through its animal disease surveillance program. The system consists of four laboratories currently located in Davis, Turlock, Tulare and San Bernardino. Funding for this program is provided through a contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and through revenue generated from user fees. An additional program, the Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, is funded through a contract with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) and horse wagering monies and provides full-service drug testing and a pharmacology research and development program.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $25.51- $30.37 /hour (Department budgeted salary range: $ 25.51 /h r. - $27.74/ h r. Commensurate with experience.)
• Salary Frequency: Bi-Weekly
• Salary Grade: 193
• UC Job Title: LAB AST 3
• Number of Positions: 1
• Percentage of Time: 100 %
• Shift (Work Schedule): Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm
• Location: Davis, CA
• Union Representation: Yes - TX
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page .

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family’s needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Candidate must be legally permitted to work in the United States and not subject to revocation. This is not a research position. The position is located in a diagnostic laboratory where quality control and assurance as well as meticulous working habits are essential. Per the terms and agreements of the department’s contracts and grants, the position requires signing of a Confidentiality Agreement or Non-Disclosure Agreement regarding testing and client information. Ability to complete Select Agent background clearance procedures. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm (Work schedule might be slightly different during the training period). Due to the nature of the essential responsibilities, this position is not eligible for remote work. Work flexible schedule/overtime as needed to complete projects and meet deadlines. Mandatory weekend and holiday rotation. Restricted/Limited vacation during peak workload periods (i.e. Outbreaks, Fiscal Close, Audits Periods, etc.). Travel (occasionally) to CAHFS branch laboratories, conferences, etc. All CAHFS employees must know and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries. Must wear laboratory required/supplied PPE and participate in Health Surveillance Program. This position is subject to prophylactic vaccination for rabies, as well as medical surveillance procedures and review in accordance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations and University Policy. Tolerate strong odors and the sight of exposed animal tissues and blood products, and to handle/dispose of infectious materials. May, at times, work with or be in areas where biohazardous and chemical materials and infectious diseases are present. Specific hazards of the position are, but are not limited to salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter, hot acids, bases, ethers and other chemicals.

Special Requirements – Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re committed to solving life’s most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community , our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks