SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (Local)

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 direction of a Laboratory Supervisor or other appropriate administrative officer, takes the lead in a group of laboratory technicians making technical laboratory analyses in bacteriology, chemistry, parasitology, immunology and blood chemistry in a bacteriological, chemical, immunological, virological, criminological, animal industry, hospital, institution, forensic, research, or other laboratory; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• 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.
• Instructs laboratory technicians and other laboratory workers in all phases of technical analysis and laboratory testing work.
• May assist in training new employees.
• Takes the lead in packing, unpacking, storing, and classification of specimens tests.
• 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 or 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, and 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 records and files.
• Will be required to learn 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 (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university, (24) hours of which shall have been in the biological 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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of 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 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 give assignments and instructions to individuals/groups of subprofessional 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 and enforce adequate/realistic safety precautions.
• Ability to see that laboratory equipment, utensils, materials, and supplies are used in such manner as to avoid unnecessary breakage, deterioration, and loss.
• Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound, and accurate laboratory reports of tests/analyses containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of laboratory reports, records, and files.
• Ability 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 as long as they can perform 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.

For applicants who do not possess the required college or certificate in Clinical Laboratory Technology, two (2) additional years of experience as indicated herein may be substituted.