Laboratory Support Technician

Job Description: Scientific Laboratory Support Media and Solution (Reagents and Standards) Preparation The employee shall weigh, mix, adjust the pH, heat various combinations of components in water solutions, transfer these solutions between containers and instrumentation, and label these media / solutions in accordance with lab quality program procedures, and autoclave to sterilize the product. In some instances, toxic chemical additives are required. Sterilization: The employee shall sterilize prepared media, dirty containers, and waste materials. This involves placing the items/materials into an autoclave and later removing them for use, to storage, or disposal as appropriate. Sample Preparation: The employee shall use aseptic technique (microbiological analysis) or non-aseptic techniques (chemistry or sensory analysis) to remove the appropriate amount of material from the item being analyzed and place the samples into containers. These samples may be frozen, refrigerated or at room temperature and may weigh up to 50 pounds. Preparation include but are not limited to utensils (such as knives, chisels, hammers, forceps, spoons, and forks) and equipment such as food processors, blenders, homogenizers, and grinders. Containers for analysis in which the prepared sample will be placed include, but are not limited to blenders, jars, plastic jugs, plastic bags, flasks/beakers, vials, and tubes. Some sample preparation processes may include the preparation and cooking of food products, to support the Agencys Total Diet Study program. Dishwashing: The employee shall perform glassware washing, both manual and via use of an automatic dishwasher. In both cases this will involve emptying and hand scrubbing various sized containers (flasks, tubes, jars, bottles, Petri plates, etc.) and transferring them between locations for washing, drying, use, sterilization and/or storage. Waste Collection and Disposal The employee shall collect all contaminated and otherwise dirty/used waste materials from defined collection sites throughout the laboratory and safely transfer them to the decontamination or disposal areas for further processing (i.e., returning to use or storage, or putting them in a dumpster). Laboratory Custodial Support: The Contractor shall maintain cleanliness of all laboratory areas. Laboratory Safety Support: The employee shall complete daily/weekly checks of all laboratory eye washing and shower stations (Attachment 3). Each lab may have its own specific requirements due to mission and location. Temperature Mapping: The employee shall perform periodic temperature mapping of equipment or locations by placing temperature sensors(s) in temperature-controlled units (i.e., freezers, refrigerators, ovens, etc.) and collect data for the specified time period as established by standard operating procedure (SOP). The Contractor shall retrieve collected data (digitally or via print-out), apply data to established criteria, and compile a report with acceptable or unacceptable evaluation. Acid Cleaning of Digestion Vessels and Centrifuge Tubes Function verification of various equipment (i.e., Balances, Pipettes, pH meters) (Attachment 2). Each lab may have its own specific requirements due to mission and location. Daily and Weekly Monitoring Checks of the Deionized (DI) Water Systems 3.2.7. Function verification of various equipment (i.e., Balances, Pipettes, pH meters) (Attachment 2). Each lab may have its own specific requirements due to mission and location. Daily and Weekly Monitoring Checks of the Deionized (DI) Water Systems Assisting with monitoring the DI Water system by performing quality assurance (QA) checks including: Performing visual checks on the system such as reading meters, gauges, noting color changes, checking lights, etc. Activity Check the water quality by reading the meter ..................................... Visual Check the water holding tank level ....................................................... Visual Read the pressure gauge on the reciprocating pump ...................... Visual (Some bending to read gauge) Check the two lights are on and yellow for the UV lamps .................Visual Check the lights are on and green for both DI Tanks ........................ Visual Check the brine tank for salt level and water ........................................ Visual and physical (bending and lifting of salt bag ~40 lbs.) (add salt pellets and water as needed) Perform color test (kit) for residual chlorine quality ............................ Visual and physical o (add color pack to water and see if it turns pink) Recording results on QA sheets or Logbooks -------------------------- Reporting (Notify analyst/monitor of any problems) Inventory The employee shall assist with the inventory of consumable, supplies, reagents, and other supplies necessary to perform scientific testing. Inventories could be kept within logbooks, folders, and/or electronic systems.