Laboratory Assistant

County of Orange • Santa Ana, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant is a paraprofessional position within the OC Public Health Laboratory. This position is responsible for receiving, processing, and logging all incoming clinical and environmental specimens into the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Laboratory Assistants provide essential support to certified Public Health Microbiologists and may independently prepare for or perform procedures that do not require certification. The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is a vital part of the Public Health Services (PHS) area within the Health Care Agency (HCA). The PHL provides essential laboratory support to several programs, including PHS Clinical Services, Environmental Health Services (EHS), Correctional Health Services (CHS), Communicable Disease Control (CDC), and local clinical laboratories. The laboratory plays a key role in protecting community health by performing testing that supports disease detection, environmental monitoring, and public health decision-making.

Requirements

• Ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach valid conclusions and make sound recommendations
• Ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests
• Ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions
• Stamina to stand for up to two hours continuously at a workbench that is 37-38" high
• Ability to work while sitting for up to two or three hours continuously at a workbench that is 29-31" high
• Independent body mobility to sit, walk, stoop, bend, reach, and use a step stool or short ladder
• Ability to exert sufficient force to lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds
• Manual dexterity to move fingers, wrists, hands or arms in any direction, pick up and manipulate or apply pressure to small objects such as microscopes, bacterial media plates and controls on automated equipment
• Wear protective gloves, lab coat, and other protective equipment to perform work
• Fine manual dexterity to work with bacterial loops, test tubes, pipettes and other laboratory equipment, write legible labels, reports, or log entries by hand or using a keyboard
• Speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably, using some technical terminology, in person and by telephone during operation of machinery
• Vision sufficient to read gauges, measuring instruments, fine or standard size text, and computer screen, and to discern small objects such as bacterial colonies
• Color perception to discern colors, color changes and compare samples against standards, distinguish media, and see color ranges in media reactions
• Ability to wear protective eye equipment or eye protection as required or needed

Nice To Haves

• At least six (6) months of experience working in a public health laboratory OR at least one (1) year of experience in any laboratory setting
• Extensive experience in the following core competencies: Professional and Technical Expertise | Using Technology
• Understanding of laboratory related medical and scientific terminology
• Some experience in the use and care of basic laboratory test equipment
• Some experience using a laboratory information system (LIS)
• Performing basic mathematical and algebraic calculations
• Performing a variety of keyboarding duties including typing, data entry and retrieval of information
• Proficient use of computer software programs including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Safety Focus: Following procedures and practices to maintain a safe work environment
• Maintaining an awareness of potential work hazards
• Interpersonal Savvy | Writing and Oral Communication: Interacting in a professional and courteous manner, in person, by telephone, and by email
• Work effectively and maintain relationships with various levels of an organization
• Ability to clearly and articulately convey information
• Writing effectively by using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Responsibilities

• Receives, prepares, and processes a wide range of clinical and environmental specimens for examination, including blood, stool, sputum, respiratory specimens, CSF, urine, water, and animal specimens
• Participates in assigned Quality Assurance activities, such as equipment maintenance and completion of logs
• Utilizes computers, laboratory information systems, and specialized software to record data
• Monitors and maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and reagents using inventory management tools
• Handles biohazardous waste and operates autoclaves for sterilization of laboratory waste
• Prepares and initiates purchasing requisitions using the County’s procurement system
• Communicates with County programs, healthcare partners, and external laboratories to clarify specimen collection, transport and storage requirements

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed