SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (State)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the limited supervision of a Principal Laboratory Technician or other supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, takes the lead in a group of laboratory technicians conducting technical laboratory analyses in bacteriology, chemistry, parasitology, immunology and blood chemistry in a bacteriological, chemical, immunological, serological, virological, histological, criminological, venereal disease control, animal industry, hospital, institution, forensic, research, or other laboratory ; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Takes the lead in packing, unpacking, storing, and classification of specimen tests. Takes the lead in testing and preparation of test tubes with various dilutions of serum for possible undulant fever, typhus, tularemia, and other suspected infections with their specific antigens. Gives assignments and instructions to laboratory service workers or other nonprofessional workers. Instructs laboratory technicians and other laboratory workers in all phases of technical analysis and laboratory testing work. May assist in training new employees. Instructs laboratory personnel in methods used in making smears and stain specimens of sputum preparatory to the microscopical examinations of such specimens. Pipettes or pours the correct dilution of other medium into tubes and dishes and, after the proper incubation period, makes readings to determine the total counts. Instructs lower-level technicians in methods/techniques used to perform various analytical tests on potable waters, streams, sewages, and on food and milk. Takes the lead in making agglutination tests for Brucellosis; Mazzini and Kahn tests for syphilis; Widal tests for blood sedimentation rates and bleeding coagulation time; Patch and Schick tests; urinalysis tests; Moguchi's globulin tests; Longes collodial gold tests; and any other additional tests required to be made by the laboratory. Oversees preparation of culture media, reagents, stains, and stock solutions. Prepares tissues for histological sections and staining. May assist in preparation of reagents/specimens for radio assay analyses utilizing radioactive labeled compounds. 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.

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.

Experience

One (1) year of experience as a technician in a public health, hospital, clinic, or research laboratory performing various types of tests.

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, skills 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 technical laboratory problems, organize assigned work, and develop effective work methods. Ability to take the lead over lower level staff. Ability to provide assignments and instructions to individuals/groups of lower level laboratory employees. Ability to perform laboratory analyses and tests of varied types in accord with standard and established procedures. Ability to review analyses/reports prepared by others, and to give such training to new employees as may be required. 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 unnecessary 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.

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. Successful completion of a certificate program in Clinical Laboratory Technology may be substituted for the above education. Applicants who do not possess the required education or certificate in Clinical Laboratory Technology, but possess the specialized credits outlined above may substitute additional 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.