LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Principal Laboratory Technician or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs and assists with laboratory technical work in a chemical, bacteriological, venereal disease control, animal industry, hospital, institution, research, forensic, or other laboratory; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Receives, unpacks, and opens specimens containing microorganisms and materials, and puts samples into various media according to type of organisms suspected.
Sets up tubes with various dilutions of serums for possible undulant fever, typhus, tularemia, and other suspected infections with their specific antigens.
Assists in all procedures involved in making required tests/analyses.
Makes smears and stains specimens for microscopic examinations of such specimens.
Prepares racks with proper media for use in testing water, milk, sewage, and various other samples.
May prepare culture media, reagents, stains, and stock solutions.
Pipettes or pours correct dilution of other medium into each tube or dish and, after proper incubation period, makes a reading to determine total count.
Determines total solids in water, sewage, and other samples and suspended solids in sewage samples by means of the analytical balance.
Makes complete tests to determine possible contamination/pollution of water.
Makes agglutination tests for microorganisms.
Prepares blood specimens for serological examinations for microbiological infections.
Stains blood smears for Opsonocytophagic tests and blood differential counts.
Performs environmental analyses on water samples using titrimetric, colorimetric, gravimetric, and electrometric techniques.
Makes complete blood counts, Widal tests, blood sedimentation tests, and bleeding/ coagulation timing tests.
Prepares reagents necessary for serological tests for syphilis and makes such tests.
Makes technical analyses of water samples to determine chemical content and qualities.
Inoculates animals and makes autopsies.
Makes basal metabolism, vital capacity, tuberculin, Patch, and Schick tests.
Makes urinalyses.
Receives, preserves, dehydrates, imbeds, blocks, cuts, and stains specimens taken at autopsies and operations for histological sections and staining.
Makes spinal fluid examinations.
Makes blood, throat, and urine cultures and cultures of various transudates/exudates.
Prepares reports.
Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in the biological, chemical, and/or physical sciences.
NOTE: Successful completion of a certificate program in Clinical Laboratory Technology may be substituted for the above education.
NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education or certificate in Clinical Laboratory Technology, but possess the specialized credits outlined above may substitute experience as a technician in a public health, hospital, clinic, or research laboratory performing various types of tests, for the remaining education (years to complete the credits) on a year-for-year basis.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the bacteriology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, or other field of knowledge involving extensive laboratory analyses.
Knowledge of laboratory equipment, reagents, and techniques.
Knowledge of the principles of laboratory analyses and test techniques and the use of standard laboratory equipment, supplies, and reagents.
Knowledge of the purpose of and the varied tests likely to be made in hospital, institution, chemical, bacteriological, histological, criminological, animal industry, or other laboratory.
Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in receiving, preserving, identifying, labeling, and when required shipping specimens of varied kinds sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Ability to analyze routine technical laboratory problems, organize assigned work, and develop effective work methods.
Ability to make varied routine laboratory analyses in accord with standard and prescribed procedures.
Ability to observe precautions and to do the precise, accurate work required in receiving, identifying, labeling, analyzing, and shipping samples.
Ability to observe and enforce adequate/realistic safety precautions.
Ability to comprehend and carry out written and verbal instructions and laboratory procedures and methods.
Ability to use laboratory equipment, utensils, materials, and supplies in such a manner as to avoid breakage, deterioration, and loss.
Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative laboratory reports of tests/analyses containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
