Natural Science Technical Assistant

Function of Job

Under general supervision from the head of an academic department and/or from other staff members as designated, to perform duties requiring a high degree of technical skill and ability and to assume responsibility for the efficient care, maintenance, and/or operation of a scientific laboratory.


A(n) Natural Science Technical Assistant typically -

1. prepares specifications for, checks cost of, requisitions, and issues supplies of drugs, cultures, chemicals, specimens, and equipment for a laboratory;
2. maintains inventory and/or performance record of supplies, biologicals, drugs, and equipment;
3. prepares, identifies, and dispenses laboratory media, chemicals, compounds, solutions, drugs, biologicals, and specimens and/or is responsible for same;
4. mounts specimens and/or is responsible for same;
5. maintains, constructs, adjusts, and repairs laboratory equipment and/or is responsible for same;
6. sterilizes equipment instruments and/or is responsible for same;
7. trains and supervises laboratory workers of lower rank;
8. participates in staff conferences relating to the planning and progress of a scientific laboratory;
9. performs scientific tests and/or is responsible for same;
10. secures, records, and tabulates data relating to tests, experiments, and collections of specimens;
11. prepares, processes, edits, evaluates, correlates, and files slides and films relating to departmental studies;
12. assists professional staff in research projects, experiments, classification of specimens, animal surgery, and autopsies;
13. performs other related duties as assigned.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:
   1. college course work in biological sciences, chemistry or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience that demonstrates knowledge of laboratory techniques.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of experience in a scientific laboratory.

1. Knowledge of drugs, biologicals, supplies, and equipment used in a laboratory.
2. Skill in the use of a wide assortment of power and hand tools.
3. Ability to operate, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment.
4. Ability to measure reactions and to compute minute quantities of material with maximum accuracy.
5. Ability to establish and maintain good working relations.