WHAT DOES A LAB ASSISTANT DO?
Published: Jun 26, 2025 - The Lab Assistant prepares, collects, labels, and processes laboratory specimens according to safety regulations and established protocols to ensure accuracy and quality. This role performs data entry, manages documentation, and completes all technical and administrative tasks required for specimen handling and submission. The assistant also involves responding to telephone inquiries, providing test information, and recognizing abnormal results for appropriate follow-up based on standard procedures.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Lab Assistant
1. Lab Assistant Duties
- Sample Preparation: Conduct final sample preparation in the final sampling room.
- Laboratory Analysis: Conduct laboratory analysis and reporting.
- Technical Assistance: Assist the chemist in the technical development project.
- Inventory Management: Maintain the inventory of all laboratory facilities and equipment.
- Inventory Reporting: Check, record, and report on the inventory of all laboratory supplies.
- Equipment Maintenance: Carry out calibration and maintenance of all laboratory equipment as per schedule or as instructed.
- Housekeeping Compliance: Ensure good housekeeping in the laboratory.
- Procedure Compliance: Follow the existing system and documentation as per the procedures.
- Record Updating: Update the relevant records.
2. Lab Assistant Details
- Specimen Handling: Receives, accesses, aliquots, stores, and disposes of specimens while maintaining the chain of custody.
- Specimen Receiving: Receive specimens for testing.
- Order Evaluation: Evaluate specimens and test orders.
- Workflow Organization: Accession and aliquot specimens, and organize work to maintain efficiency and acceptable turnaround time.
- Specimen Assessment: Recognize unacceptable and unusual specimens and handle them appropriately.
- Sample Processing: Process client samples, quality control samples, and proficiency samples.
- Equipment Maintenance: Maintain work area, clean equipment, and perform scheduled maintenance procedures.
- Material Handling: Perform material handling duties by supplying workstations with packaged samples to process, racks and bins to hold processed samples, removing empty racks and bins, and stocking other supplies necessary for the accessioning of samples.
3. Lab Assistant Responsibilities
- Stock Replenishment: Replenish Perfumer Assistants' stock bottles.
- Material Disposal: Potpourri of old raw materials and sample oils.
- Beaker Collection: Gather used beakers from the Perfumer Assistants' benches.
- Dishwashing Operation: Run dishwashers twice daily.
- Cabinet Stocking: Stock cabinets with clean beakers.
- Lab Supplies: Replenish laboratory stock (pipettes, tongue depressors, application sticks, C-fold towels, soap, gloves, bottles, caps, etc.).
- Stockroom Maintenance: Maintain the stock room by replacing expired materials with fresh supplies.
- Sample Assistance: Assist Sample Compounding and/or Fragrance Laboratory with packing and labeling outgoing samples.
- Safety Compliance: Follow all Takasago safety policies and procedures.
4. Lab Assistant Job Summary
- Sample Sorting: Sorts, scans, and assigns sequence numbers to different laboratory areas.
- Sample Processing: Processes samples for testing.
- Reagent Preparation: Prepares reagents and pipettes/aliquots of reagents under supervision.
- Slide Labeling: Labels and stains hematology slides.
- Glassware Maintenance: Gathers, rinses, washes, dries, and restocks glassware and consumables in the laboratory.
- Test Execution: Performs limited, non-complex, waived tests for review by a team member.
- Task Accuracy: Performs daily work assignments accurately and promptly.
5. Lab Assistant Accountabilities
- Glassware Collection: Collects laboratory glassware from all laboratory departments and research areas.
- Handling Procedures: Follow pre-treatment and special handling procedures on glassware.
- Glassware Sterilization: Packages and sterilizes supplies and glassware according to procedure.
- Equipment Operation: Loads and operates the laboratory glassware washer and sterilizer.
- Product Delivery: Delivers clean products to the appropriate location and laboratory.
- Phlebotomy Support: Serves as a phlebotomist for CCL during AM NICU phlebotomy draws.
- Test Processing: Performs basic Lab Assistant duties of ordering and receiving tests.
6. Lab Assistant Functions
- Specimen Testing: Collects, transports, receives, prepares, and accurately tests biological specimens using safe work practices and proper laboratory techniques while maintaining specimen integrity.
- Test Performance: Performs waived and moderately complex testing as allowed by CLIA regulations.
- Specimen Evaluation: Critically evaluates specimen integrity.
- Result Validation: Ensures that lab results fit the clinical context for each patient's specimen.
- Exception Reporting: Immediately reports testing outside of normal parameters to authorized testing personnel.
- Result Communication: Communicates and documents test status and results promptly to clinical personnel involved in patient care.
- System Maintenance: Maintains and operates test systems for optimal performance.
- Issue Resolution: Collaborates with a tech or a technician to resolve technical issues.
7. Lab Assistant Job Description
- Specimen Handling: Sorting and receiving specimens in the department.
- Instrument Maintenance: Performing routine instrument maintenance on some equipment.
- Specimen Centrifugation: Performing laboratory tasks of centrifuging specimens.
- Label Printing: Printing extra labels.
- Data Recording: Recording data (temperature charts), specimen storage, and retrieval.
- Reagent Preparation: Preparing reagents and/or media in the department.
- Specimen Preparation: Preparing specimens at workstations for testing (including building worklists, aliquoting specimens into sample cups).
- Specimen Inspection: Checking specimens for clots and fibrin, inoculation, slide preparation.
- Sample Resolution: Resolving pending lists and finding missing samples.
- Area Decontamination: Decontaminating work areas.
- Radiation Testing: Performing weekly radioactive wipe tests.
- Record Management: Maintaining files for department records.
- Gas Handling: Changing gas cylinders and disposing of biohazardous material.
- Safety Compliance: Following all PPE requirements and all safety regulations.
- System Operation: Using the laboratory computer system as well as operating PCs.
8. Lab Assistant Overview
- Item Transport: Prepares, delivers, and picks up items according to health and safety regulations and laboratory policies to ensure specimen integrity, quality patient care, and caregiver safety.
- Specimen Collection: Collects and labels specimens for requested testing, processes specimens according to established guidelines, and completes documentation for the specimen.
- Data Entry: Performs data entry of patient demographics and tests ordered.
- Specimen Processing: Performs all paperwork, technical, and nontechnical procedures required to process and submit specimens.
- Sample Handling: Receives, handles, sorts, processes, or packages specimens.
- Client Communication: Receives and makes telephone calls and uses computer terminals and reference guides to provide information and answer questions from clients and patients regarding specimen requirements, test results, and other client requests.
- Result Evaluation: Recognizes abnormal results and follows up as defined in standard operating procedures.
9. Lab Assistant Details and Accountabilities
- Experiment Management: Organise, prepare, and manage all science experiments and practicals under the guidance of the Head of Department.
- Equipment Tracking: Maintain and update the register of lab equipment.
- Chemical Inventory: Maintain and update the register of chemicals and other consumables.
- Experiment Preparation: Prepare lab experiments and practicals in coordination with the Head of Department and teachers.
- Lab Organization: Responsible for keeping the labs organised and clean in coordination with the Head of Department and teachers.
- Damage Reporting: Report breakage or damage of equipment to the Head of Department.
- Safety Compliance: Responsible for safety procedures in the labs in coordination with other members of the department.
- Supply Planning: Prepare an annual list of consumables, glassware, and equipment in conjunction with the Head of Department.
- Lab Security: Ensure labs are locked when not in use.
- Policy Adherence: Ensure the GEMS policies, procedures, and codes of conduct are followed at all times.
- Work Commitment: Initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday where tasks require additional commitment.
- Meeting Participation: Attend staff meetings and serve on committees.
- Task Support: Perform other duties as requested by direct and dotted reporting line managers/supervisors.
10. Lab Assistant Tasks
- Specimen Support: Assists with receiving, identifying, accessioning, processing, and transporting specimens.
- Workplace Organization: Keeps work area in a safe, aseptic, and organized manner.
- Clerical Tasks: Fulfills clerical duties, which may include but are not limited to answering phones, data entry, and filing.
- Record Maintenance: Processes specimens and performs record-keeping duties as required by the department.
- Inventory Management: Maintains equipment and performs materials management duties such as keeping supply inventories at optimum levels and transporting specimens, equipment, and supplies.