Lab Assistant - Science (Biology)

Collin College•Plano, TX

13h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for preparing classroom experiments using solutions/media and supplies according to course syllabi and prep sheets, utilizing various products, chemicals, and laboratory equipment. The role involves maintaining adequate stock of equipment and supplies, keeping an inventory, tracking expiration dates, and ensuring supplies are organized and accessible. The Lab Assistant will also maintain laboratory equipment, perform minor repairs, and ensure routine checks are conducted, reporting the need for major repairs or replacements. A key aspect of the role is assisting in the implementation of safety procedures, identifying and reporting potential hazards, and ensuring proper disposal of used supplies in accordance with regulations. The position requires maintaining lab rooms, cleaning spills and equipment, and managing records and data entry. Additionally, the Lab Assistant will greet students, faculty, and staff professionally, answer telephones, and maintain confidentiality. Responsibilities may include preparing cultures, chemicals, stains, solutions, and dilutions, as well as producing slides, handouts, or flyers. The role may also involve training new personnel, assisting in monitoring student assistants, and coordinating troubleshooting efforts. Assisting faculty with equipment and software use, connecting/disconnecting equipment, and cross-training in various functions are also part of the role. Attendance at department meetings and participation in professional development and health and safety training are required. The position may require flexible work schedules, including morning, afternoon, or evening shifts.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited institution required.
Two (2) years of related experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
This position is Security Sensitive, therefore, candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

Practical background or familiarity with biotechnology protocols is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Maintain an adequate stock of required equipment and supplies.
Keep an inventory of all types of equipment, supplies and chemical/ bio-hazard waste, determine user needs, and provide lab manager with the supply requests.
Track expiration dates of products as appropriate.
Ensure supplies are organized and accessible according to department requirements.
Maintain equipment in laboratories and classrooms as requested, performing minor repairs and maintenance as required.
Assure all equipment is routinely checked and maintained, informing the appropriate supervisor of the need for major repairs and/or replacements.
Assist in implementation of proper safety procedures and standards; identify and report potential safety hazards.
Assist in the disposal of used/spent supplies/products, in accordance with Federal EPA regulations, State, local city ordinances and College policies.
Organize and maintain all lab rooms, completing all tasks such as but not limited to washing and refilling empty containers, collecting trash from all containers, and putting away all unused clean containers.
Adjust and clean screens and monitors.
Clean spills and equipment as specified by instructors or supervisor.
Maintain records, forms and system data, performing data entry and copying as described.
Greet students, faculty, staff and the general public in a friendly and professional manner.
Answer the telephone as quickly as possible, maintain professional demeanor at all times.
Maintain confidentiality of all records.
May prepare various cultures, chemicals, stains, solutions, dilutions, etc. from discipline prep sheets and ensures used supplies are disposed of properly and safely.
May produce slides, handouts, flyers or other collateral for classroom, recruiting activities, etc.
Train new personnel as needed and requested.
May assist supervisor in monitoring work of student assistants, and/or part-time lab assistants, when requested.
Assist in the coordination of trouble shooting between students, instructors, web services and others to help solve problems.
Assist faculty in the use of equipment, software and tools.
Connect and disconnect equipment and tools according to oral or written instructions.
Cross-train in various functions as required in order to backup other staff positions.
Attend all department and division meetings as required and participate in professional development/health and safety training courses as required by supervisor.
Represent the department at college and community events.
Work schedules may be required to be flexible to morning, afternoon or evening time frames as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with college policies, procedures and Core Values.