State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a state health, academic or diagnostic laboratory this class is accountable for receiving training in and performing with increasing independence routine technical laboratory work with emphasis on solution and sample preparation or performing processing and laboratory functions for investigated cases.

Initially works under the supervision of an employee of higher grade; works more independently with acquired experience.

• Receives training in basic technical laboratory procedures and techniques; 
• Prepares simple solutions, stains, culture media and/or reagents according to written instructions; 
• Prepares specimens and/or samples for examinations; 
• Maintains records of work performed; 
• May perform simple and routine tests and examinations under supervision; 
• Performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

• Answers incoming calls and inputs and/or edits cases into computerized system; 
• Coordinates removal, transport and release of bodies with funeral homes or hospitals; 
• Acts as liaison to police departments, hospitals, physicians and Assistant Medical Examiners; 
• Types and assembles related paperwork; 
• Checks and documents personal property and evidence; 
• Relays information to public; 
• Assists with preparing bodies for identification; 
• May clean and sterilize glassware, utensils and laboratory instruments; 
• May operate basic laboratory equipment; 
• May prepare simple solutions and reagents; 
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • laboratory equipment, procedures, techniques and terminology; 
  • medical terminology; 
• Interpersonal skills; 
• Ability to
  • carry out written and oral instructions; 
  • apply policies and procedures; 
  • type; 
  • carry out simple calculations and keep simple technical records; 
• Manual dexterity.

One (1) year of experience in a laboratory or medical setting.

Graduation from high school with courses in mathematics and science may be substituted for the General Experience.

Incumbents in this class must be willing to undergo periodic tests or immunizations for communicable diseases as necessary.

Incumbents in this class may occasionally be required to lift standard laboratory equipment and supplies, may be exposed to some risk of injury from such elements as toxic vapors or broken glass and may be exposed to disagreeable conditions including communicable infectious diseases.

This reactivates the existing specification for the class of Laboratory Assistant 1 (37.5 Hour) in Salary Group XN 11 approved effective May 2, 2023. (Revised to reactivate AGNCY Set ID in CORE-CT) Item No. 23-122

ADDENDUM TO SPECIFICATIONS FOR LABORATORY ASSISTANTS 1, 2, AND 3
GUIDELINES FOR CLASS USE IN LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTS

LABORATORY ASSISTANT 1: Indications of the level of work performed are: Preparation of "simple" solutions generally involves mixing of one or several ingredients with water according to a prescribed formula. A trip balance may be used to measure out ingredients as well as graduated glassware. A pH meter may also be used but is generally limited to taking the pH reading of a substance rather than for making adjustments. The use of calculations is limited, if required at all. Preparation of "routine" specimens/samples refers to such procedures as centrifuging blood specimens, staining and simple streaking of media on glass plates [streaking that does not involve selection of a bacterial colony for isolation purposes (microbiology)] and clarification of samples through simple separation or filtration (chemistry). Tests and examinations are generally not performed at this level except on a very limited basis under supervision and involving only very simple one step procedures. In general very little technical skill is involved but incumbents work under very prescribed guidelines and do not exercise independent judgment.

LABORATORY ASSISTANT 2: Indications of the level of work performed are: Preparation of "moderately complex" solutions generally involves mixing of several ingredients with water and use of calculations. The use of a precision top loading balance (more accurate than a trip balance) may be required as well as graduated glassware and a pH meter for purposes of making adjustments (the use of analytical balances may be required at this level on a limited basis). Preparation of specimens/samples for analysis requires use of simple techniques such as those noted above as well as more advanced techniques such as streaking plates and selecting bacterial colonies, pipetting samples and innoculating media (microbiology) and clarifying samples through separation and filtration using more complex types of solutions (chemistry). Routine tests and examinations may also be performed according to standard, prescribed procedures. Incumbents should be able to take basic readings and record results but should not be expected to "interpret" results. The use of equipment such as gas chromatographs and spectrophotometers may be required. Examples of tests performed at this level are: tests for mastitis and brucellosis in dairy cows, reading breed smears (pathobiology); tests for mononucleosis and syphilis (microbiology); protein and metal assays (chemistry), etc. In general a degree of technical skill is required but incumbents still work under very prescribed guidelines and exercise little independent judgment (e.g., interpretation of results).

LABORATORY ASSISTANT 3: Indications of the level of work performed are: Preparation of "complex" solutions using such equipment as analytical balances and pH meters (for readings as well as adjustments), special techniques and independent calculations. Tests and examinations performed differ in that incumbents can be expected to use more sophisticated techniques, exercise a significantly greater degree of independent judgment, interpret their own test results and troubleshoot for accuracy. In general more specialized technical skills are required and incumbents perform work representing the highest level of technical expertise in the paraprofessional laboratory series.