LABORATORY ASSISTANT SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Published: Jan 05, 2026 - The Laboratory Assistant operates key laboratory equipment, interprets technical instructions, performs accurate measurements, and solves practical problems to support safe and efficient laboratory workflows. This role requires strong communication skills, clinical laboratory experience, proficiency in specimen processing and phlebotomy, and the ability to work effectively with both customers and staff. The assistant also maintains documentation, prepares reports, applies mathematical reasoning, and utilizes computer and medical terminology skills to ensure reliable performance in clinical settings.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Laboratory Assistant Resume
  • Lab Operations
  • Inventory Management
  • Sample Receiving
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Buffer Preparation
  • Sterilization Procedures
  • Specimen Processing
  • Media Preparation
  • Instrument Maintenance
  • Data Entry
  • Workload Prioritization
  • Process Improvement
  • Safety Promotion
  • Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Vendor Relations
  • Document Organization
  • Progress Reporting
  • Staff Training
  • Task Coordination
  • Facility Support

Summary of Laboratory Assistant Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Biology with 6 years of Experience

  • Experience with chemistry/lab equipment in a lab environment
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Must be able to comprehend and follow written and verbal procedures or instructions
  • Must be able to provide documentation of successful completion of a course or training in phlebotomy
  • Knowledge of most aspects of laboratory functions, primarily specimen processing
  • Must have a Limited Phlebotomy Technician Certificate 
  • Ability to perform all Laboratory Assistant I duties
  • Must be able to perform all Laboratory Assistant I duties
  • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
  • Ability to write simple correspondence
  • Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
  • Must be willing to work in a Labor Management Partnership environment

2. BS in Chemistry with 5 years of Experience

  • Laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Computer experience and familiarity with office automation (e.g., MS Word) 
  • Able to receive customer orders for blood products and refer to appropriate personnel
  • Able to operate, maintain and perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment
  • Able to perform donor product inventory management
  • Able to perform labeling and verification of blood products
  • Working knowledge of the research function
  • Skills to communicate complex information clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to assist with research experiments under supervision
  • Ability to follow instructions, attention to detail

3. BA in Biochemistry with 3 years of Experience

  • Must have State Phlebotomy Technician I or II Certification
  • Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory operations 
  • General knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and lab safety
  • Experience in one or more of the following: phlebotomy, specimen processing or clerical
  • Proficiency in laboratory and/or hospital information systems 
  • Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Must be able to work in a complex, fast-paced environment and take appropriate actions in emergent situations
  • Must be able to work within established time frames with attention to detail and accuracy

4. BS in Microbiology with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in routing molecular biology/cell biology techniques (DNA gels, western blots, etc.)
  • Experience with cloning (PCR, bacterial culture, minipreps, Sanger sequencing, etc)
  • Experience with human cell culture, flow cytometry, lab organization and inventory management experience
  • Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting, including data analysis
  • Self-motivated and works well independently and as part of a team
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines
  • Proficiency in MS Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint software
  • Prior experience in sample preparation, handling of organic solvents, data analysis, and technical reading and writing

5. BA in Environmental Science with 5 years of Experience

  • Experience in a job in the logistics, science, technology field, or another regulated industry
  • Computer proficiency or data entry skills 
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Closely following verbal and written instructions and operating procedures
  • Working within a CLIA or CAP-Certified laboratory
  • Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
  • History of or demonstrated ability to work independently
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and multitasking skills
  • Effective, clear verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work in a laboratory environment, in the presence of chemicals and reagents
  • Understanding of HIPAA and the importance of patient data privacy

6. BS in Laboratory Science with 6 years of Experience

  • Prior clinical or research lab experience
  • Thorough knowledge in administrative procedures and processes including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications
  • Good verbal and written communication skills, active listening, critical thinking, multi-tasking and time management skills
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and competing priorities
  • Interpersonal and work leadership skills to guide other nonexempt personnel
  • Competency with MS Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel
  • Experience with electronic medical records
  • Knowledge of UCSF and departmental policies for dealing with reimbursement, guidelines for research, confidentiality and HIPAA regulations, following the UCSF mission statement and purpose for research
  • Clear understanding of policies and procedures on patient safety and confidentiality (electronic and hard copy medical records, patient charts, communication, etc.)
  • Knowledge of medical terminology, research policies and guidelines, guidelines for packing/shipping infectious substances, database building/analysis, and data management within some of the following: Access, Stata, SASS/ SPSS, and Teleform programming platforms

7. BS in Biomedical Science with 2 years of Experience

  • Strong analytical judgement
  • Ability to multitask and maintain precise organization in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to follow routine process without deviation
  • Must communicate effectively - verbally and in writing
  • Physical mobility, manual dexterity, the ability to listen, read, and write
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability to work well with others as part of a team
  • Ability to solve technical and interdepartmental problems related to the various Laboratory areas
  • Ability to identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or the reporting of results

8. BS in Health Sciences with 3 years of Experience

  • Should be detail-oriented, flexible, quick to learn, as well as be proficient in data entry and organizational abilities
  • Able to work productively, effectively, and independently in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to handle multiple task systems simultaneously
  • Effective verbal and written communications, especially listening skills
  • Detail-oriented about data entry and excellent typing skills
  • Strong computer skills and ability to work within the Windows and Laboratory Information System environment
  • Must be comfortable in a fast-paced environment
  • Must be available to work evenings and rotating weekends
  • Medical background or experience with laboratory testing terminology or a strong aptitude to learn terminology

9. BA in Natural Sciences with 5 years of Experience

  • Ability to use email and cloud word processing tools
  • Understanding of good laboratory practice
  • Good organization and time management skills
  • Experience with exposure to clerical/detail-oriented tasks
  • Prior experience in healthcare
  • Ability to effectively interact with populations of patients/customers with an understanding of their needs for self-respect and dignity
  • Must work in bio-hazardous areas where exposure to bacterial contamination may occur
  • Must maintain the confidentiality of test results
  • Must have near visual acuity and manual dexterity sufficient to operate microscopes and other equipment requiring fine adjustment
  • Must be able to communicate, verbally or in writing, test results to physicians and nursing units
  • Must be able to move with efficiency between lab sections and nursing units
  • Skill in the use of computers or the ability to acquire such skills to operate application packages used by the department

10. BS in Health Sciences with 7 years of Experience

  • Able to operate a biologic safety hood, autoclave, microtome, bone saw and centrifuge
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
  • Ability to speak effectively with customers or employees of the organization
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
  • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs
  • Previous Clinical Laboratory experience, including customer service, specimen processing, phlebotomy, and laboratory assisting in an acute care or reference laboratory setting
  • Experience with computer skills
  • Good to excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of medical terminology
  • Phlebotomy experience in a hospital setting 

11. BS in Biotechnology with 3 years of Experience

  • Basic and advanced laboratory knowledge and skills, including PCR, Western blotting, SDS-PAGE gels, expression and purification of His-tagged proteins, Gene cloning, and Mammalian cell culture
  • Basic skills in the use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Ability for logical, independent problem solving, and attention to detail and process
  • Knowledge of medical and microbiological terminology
  • Research lab experience and knowledge of fundamental laboratory techniques
  • Knowledge of medical lab testing and the operation of instrumentation
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • Must be able to multitask, prioritize and manage time efficiently
  • Ability to follow precise directions in situations requiring speed, accuracy and efficiency
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