Summary

Provides instructional assistance and technical/operational support to faculty and students in a biological or health sciences teaching laboratory setting. Guides and assists students in the use of appropriate laboratory methods, techniques, and equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assists primary instructor in teaching laboratory skills to students within a life sciences laboratory setting.
2. Obtains and prepares laboratory specimens for instructional use in the lab.
3. Prepares necessary reagents and supplies, and sets up, calibrates, and pre-tests laboratory equipment for student use.
4. Proctors student exams taken during lectures, as required, and monitors student activities while in the laboratory.
5. Receives, processes, stores, and monitors the use of laboratory supplies and materials.
6. Ensures that laboratory facilities, equipment, and supplies are clean, safe, and in proper working order after the completion of laboratory activities.
7. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
8. Assists with the evaluation of student laboratory results.
9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of laboratory protocols, procedures, and practices within the relevant field of study.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skill in providing guidance and instruction in laboratory protocols and in the safe use of laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of related accreditation and certification requirements.
• Ability to set up, calibrate, pre-test, and operate relevant laboratory equipment.
• Ability to prepare and preserve biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information in a manner easily understood by non-technical personnel.
• Knowledge of safety and hygiene standards for the use of biological laboratory equipment, facilities, and supplies.
• Knowledge of teaching laboratory materials receiving and storage procedures.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 03/20/2017