Medical Laboratory Assistant

State of North Carolina; North Carolina; On-site; USD 31,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of North Carolina invites applications for a Medical Laboratory Assistant (S) in the Food & Drug Protection Division. The preparatory area in the Inorganic Chemistry Section handles homogenizing feed, forage, and fertilizer samples to enable subsequent chemical analyses.

Responsibilities include sample preparation, reagent production, and compliance with ISO 17025 quality systems, with an emphasis on accurate documentation and contamination control.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and one year of laboratory experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may apply.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work with lab matrices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for analyses using mills and other devices.
• Document activities per ISO 17025 and FDPD quality procedures.
• Provide laboratory support and maintenance to ensure testing readiness.
• Prepare reagents and perform basic gravimetric and volumetric analyses.

Skills

Lab safety

Reagent prep

Instructions following

Lifting 50 lb

Sample matrices

Education

HS diploma or GED

1 year lab experience

Job description

Agency

Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services

Division

Agriculture Consumer Service

Job Classification Title

Medical Laboratory Assistant (S)

Position Number

60011908

Grade

MH01

About Us

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Description of Work

Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

This position is located in the Food & Drug Protection Division. The Food & Drug Protection Division (FDPD) has five functioning sections, including the Food Section, the Dairy Section, the Feed Section, the Drug Section, and the Administrative Services Section. In addition, analytical support is provided to the Food & Feed Sections by the Food & Drug Protection Division’s three laboratory sections, i.e., the Inorganic Chemistry Section, Organic Chemistry Section, and Microbiology Section. The Division protects the health, welfare, and economic interests of consumers of foods, drugs, livestock feeds, fertilizers, and medical devices by ensuring, through inspections and analysis, that these products are wholesome and properly labeled.

The FDPD Inorganic Chemistry Section provides compositional analyses of food, animal feed, and fertilizer samples. Specifically, this section quantifies nutrients, minerals, and heavy metals in samples using a variety of instrumentation and analytical chemistry techniques. The Inorganic Chemistry Section is comprised of 5 laboratories: the Microanalytical Laboratory; the Core Analytical Laboratory; the Ion Chromatography Laboratory; the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; and the Wet Chemistry Laboratory.

This position is specifically located in the preparatory area of the Inorganic Chemistry Section, which homogenizes and grinds feed, forage, and fertilizer samples for subsequent chemical analyses. The preparatory area is additionally responsible for washing labware, cleaning laboratory spaces within the Inorganic Chemistry Section, and preparing testing reagents.

The employee’s primary job functions are: 1) preparing samples for analyses using mills and other comminution techniques; 2) documenting all activities per ISO 17025 requirements and FDPD quality management system procedures; 3) performing laboratory support and maintenance activities to ensure testing readiness and expedite analyses; and 4) preparing reagents and performing basic gravimetric and volumetric analyses.

*Employment is contingent upon the ability to pass a respirator medical and fit test.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Experience performing preparation of reagents or samples.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work with matrices such as grass, hay, and nut.

Recruitment Range: $31,200 - $48,000

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate’s related education and experience.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and one year of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.