Laboratory Technician

Natural Essentials; Streetsboro (OH); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Natural Essentials in Streetsboro, OH, seeks a Lab Technician to perform microbial testing, IR analysis of materials, and pH/viscosity measurements. Frequent travel between the manufacturing and distribution facilities is required. The role reports to the Laboratory Supervisor and supports routine QA testing.

The candidate will record data, calibrate instruments daily, maintain notebooks and inventory, and participate in biosafety training. Hours are 7:00 a.m.

Qualifications

• Efficient with Word and Excel; familiarity with Google Docs.
• Ability to problem solve and work independently.
• Attention to detail.
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Knowledge of biological safety levels.
• Aseptic laboratory technique.
• Basic laboratory skills or equivalent training.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbial limits testing of products per CTFA and USP guidelines.
• IR spectroscopy testing of raw materials using an IR spectrometer.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment daily (pH meter, analytical balance) and quarterly (micropipette).
• Safely dispose of biohazardous waste via steam sterilization or chemical sanitization.
• Viscosity testing using a Viscometer.
• Specific Gravity testing with analytical balance and pycnometer.
• pH testing with a pH meter.
• Recordkeeping of all laboratory tests and data.
• Maintain laboratory reagents and consumables inventory.
• Maintain a laboratory notebook with pages numbered and a contents table.
• Weekly testing of the plant’s water system.
• Microbial testing related to cleaning and sanitization of equipment.
• Wear PPE as necessary and train personnel in biosafety measures.

Skills

Word & Excel

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Basic math

Biological safety levels

Aseptic technique

Lab skills

Tools

IR spectrometer

Viscometer

pH meter

Analytical balance

Micropipette

Job description

The Lab Technician will perform or assist in any and all laboratory tests and procedures which include, but are not limited to, microbial testing, IR testing of raw materials, viscosity, pH, specific gravity testing, and water testing. This position must travel frequently between the Manufacturing facility and the Distribution Facility that are a mile apart.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform microbial limits testing of products, per CTFA and USP guidelines.
• IR spectroscopy testing of raw materials using an IR spectrometer.
• Calibrating laboratory equipment as needed. This includes the pH meter and analytical balance, which must be performed daily as used, and the micropipette, which must be done quarterly, or as needed based on use.
• Safely disposing of biohazardous waste, either through steam sterilization or chemical sanitization (using bleach or isopropyl alcohol).
• Viscosity testing using a Viscometer.
• Specific Gravity testing using an analytical balance and pycnometer.
• pH testing using a pH meter.
• Recordkeeping of all laboratory tests conducted. This includes, but is not limited to, IR spectra, raw data from counting microbial plates for microbial limits testing, daily temperature records of incubators and refrigerators, calibration logs for pH meter and analytical balance, etc.
• Maintaining a current inventory of all laboratory reagents and consumables.
• Maintaining a laboratory notebook: This is a legal document which must be kept indefinitely. All pages should be numbered, and a table of contents should be maintained in the first few pages, for ease of reference. All raw data from every procedure should be written in the laboratory notebook, signed and dated. This includes, but is not limited to, sample prep information for the start of microbial limits testing, pH values from pH testing, plate count data from completed microbial limits testing, viscosity data from testing the viscosity using the viscometer, etc.
• Weekly testing of the plant’s water system, via filtration method.
• Microbial testing associated with Cleaning and Sanitization of plant equipment.
• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment as necessary for the job. This includes long pants, closed toe shoes, laboratory coat, safety glasses and disposable nitrile or latex gloves.
• Train relevant personnel in biological safety measures necessary for access to the microbiology lab.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Efficient in Word and Excel, familiar with Google documents.
• Ability to problem solve and work independently.
• Attention to detail.
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Knowledge of biological safety levels.
• Aseptic laboratory technique.
• Basic laboratory skills and/or equivalent combination of experience and formal training.

Working conditions and Physical Effort:

• Regularly able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Standing, sitting, or walking for more than 8 hours a day.
• Work environment involves exposure to physical and biological risks, such as operating dangerous equipment, extreme temperatures, working with chemicals, unpleasant odors, and working with microbial agents associated with human disease.
• Wearing PPE as necessary for the job.
• Restricting access to the Microbiology lab.

Reports to the Laboratory Supervisor.

Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Job Type: Full-time.

Pay: From $20.00 per hour.