Laboratory Assistant - Health Sciences

Role Overview

Laboratory Assistant - Health Sciences at Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). This is a hands-on role supporting faculty and students within one or more Health Sciences program areas by maintaining the College's laboratories and workshops, including installation, demonstration, and troubleshooting of equipment and facilities.

Role Purpose

The Laboratory Assistant maintains the College's Health Sciences laboratories and workshops, ensuring they are properly equipped, organized, and ready for student learning and faculty instruction. The role requires close collaboration with faculty and students to set up labs for experiments, maintain supplies and documentation, and support the safe and effective operation of laboratory facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Alignment

• Demonstrate familiarity with overall HCT strategy and functional objectives relevant to scope of work.
• Communicate with colleagues, faculty and supervisors to support alignment between individual work and activities and overall program goals and objectives.
• Follow and adhere to practices and approaches developed to protect and restore HCT resources and business continuity during major changes or crises.
• Adjust and adapt to changing environments in a progressive and flexible manner.

Operations & Maintenance

• Maintain a schedule of preventative maintenance for all equipment and keep adequate manuals and maintenance logs for equipment and parts.
• Demonstrate the use of resources, tools and equipment within the laboratory.
• Maintain consumable materials store and ensure adequate inventory levels for all supplies.
• Maintain systems and procedures to track borrowed equipment and tools.
• Observe and reinforce safety and housekeeping procedures and protocols within the laboratory.
• Perform setup of the lab in preparation for experiments.
• Aid staff in purchasing procedures with regard to equipment, tools and materials.
• Coordinate with other Health Sciences programs.
• Follow through financial aspects with the Health Sciences Resources Person and the finance department concerning purchases.

Institutional Contribution

• Contribute to the development of HCT by observing and implementing college and system-wide policies and procedures.
• Participate in extra-curricular activities and community events.
• Travel to other HCT colleges to attend meetings, workshops and conferences as required.
• Develop awareness of and respect for the customs and cultures of HCT students and employees.
• Contribute in an effective and efficient manner to the development of UAE Nationals.

Leadership & Development

• Provide on-the-job task training within scope of work.
• Respond clearly to questions and guide employees and students within area of expertise.
• Create a positive atmosphere to encourage student success.
• Identify development opportunities for others.
• Demonstrate willingness to engage in professional development activities to develop and improve new and current skills and adapt to the evolving needs of the organization.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor Degree minimum.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a role related to setup and maintenance of laboratories.
• Knowledge of instruments and products, relevant equipment and devices used within the laboratory, and other tools and consumables.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safety protocols.
• Industrial experience in a relevant health science laboratory is preferred.
• Membership to a relevant professional association is desirable.
• Training certificates or diplomas in health sciences laboratory practices is desirable.
• First Aid qualification is desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and technical problem-solving skills.
• High degree of computer literacy and demonstrated ability to integrate technology in the workplace.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated competency to interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a high-paced environment.
• Ability to manage workload while working to meet deadlines within a busy and demanding environment.