Laboratory Assistant at Stanbridge University

The Laboratory Assistant supports the daily operation, readiness, safety, and functionality of Stanbridge University’s instructional laboratories and learning spaces. This position is primarily responsible for preparing, inspecting, organizing, securing, and resetting laboratories for classes, simulations, events, and other instructional activities.

The Laboratory Assistant I supports a broad range of learning environments, including skills, therapy, virtual reality, cadaver, science, and simulation laboratories. The position also assists with inventory management, equipment coordination, classroom readiness, campus projects, minor facilities needs, and event logistics.

As laboratory operations continue to grow, this role requires more than physical setup support. The successful candidate must be willing to move furniture, supplies, and equipment while also demonstrating initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and the ability to independently identify and resolve operational issues. The position is expected to take ownership of assigned responsibilities and may have the opportunity to assume expanded operational or leadership responsibilities over time.

Proposed Work Schedule

Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The work schedule may be adjusted based on instructional, laboratory, campus, or event needs.

Essential Functions

Laboratory Setup and Instructional Readiness

• Prepare and stage instructional laboratories for classes, simulations, campus events, demonstrations, and special activities.
• Support skills, therapy, virtual reality, cadaver, science, and simulation laboratory environments.
• Organize and distribute instructional materials, supplies, equipment, models, and learning resources according to faculty or department requirements.
• Prepare patient care areas, including making beds, arranging equipment, and staging supplies as needed.
• Clean and disinfect laboratory surfaces, equipment, and instructional areas in accordance with established procedures.
• Confirm that laboratories are properly arranged, adequately stocked, and ready before scheduled instructional activities.
• Break down and reset laboratories following classes, events, simulations, and other activities.

Laboratory Inspections and Daily Operations

• Conduct daily inspections of laboratories, classrooms, storage areas, and other assigned instructional spaces.
• Confirm that spaces are clean, organized, functional, appropriately stocked, and prepared for use.
• Identify missing, damaged, malfunctioning, or improperly stored equipment and supplies.
• Monitor laboratory conditions and promptly report concerns involving lighting, HVAC, plumbing, furniture, technology, equipment, cleanliness, or safety.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, accessibility, and operational readiness throughout the workday.
• Address routine laboratory or classroom issues independently when they fall within the position’s authority and training.
• Escalate complex, technical, or safety-related concerns to the appropriate supervisor or department.

Inventory, Equipment, and Ordering Support

• Monitor inventory levels for laboratory materials, instructional supplies, tools, equipment, and consumable items.
• Conduct cycle counts, physical inventory checks, and stock reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate records of materials received, distributed, transferred, damaged, or removed from service.
• Assist with ordering supplies and equipment in accordance with departmental processes and supervisor approval.
• Receive, inspect, organize, label, store, and distribute incoming laboratory materials and equipment.
• Track backordered, missing, damaged, or incorrectly delivered items and communicate discrepancies promptly.
• Help maintain orderly storage areas and ensure supplies and equipment are stored safely and appropriately.
• Generate or maintain inventory, equipment, maintenance, and operational reports as assigned.

Simulation Laboratory Support

• Provide backup support to Simulation Laboratory Assistants during simulation setups, activities, and teardowns.
• Assist with staging simulation rooms, equipment, supplies, task trainers, and patient-care environments.
• Support the movement, cleaning, organization, and storage of simulation equipment.
• Follow established simulation procedures and protect the confidentiality and integrity of simulation activities.
• Help restore simulation areas to instructional readiness after scheduled activities.

Facilities, Logistics, and Event Support

• Support campus operations by moving and arranging furniture, equipment, supplies, and instructional materials.
• Assist with classroom, office, laboratory, and event-space setups and breakdowns.
• Support internal deliveries, installations, relocations, and campus projects.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs within the scope of the position’s training and authorization.
• Safely operate hand tools, power tools, carts, dollies, ladders, and general maintenance equipment as required.
• Coordinate with outside vendors or contractors under supervisor guidance.
• Respond promptly to laboratory, classroom, facilities, logistics, and maintenance requests.
• Assist with urgent or emergency operational situations in accordance with University procedures.
• Communicate status updates, operational concerns, and project needs to the appropriate stakeholders.

End-of-Day Responsibilities

• Conduct end-of-day checks of assigned laboratories and classrooms.
• Secure laboratories, equipment, supplies, storage areas, and instructional spaces.
• Confirm that equipment is powered down, stored, or placed in the appropriate condition for the next day’s activities.
• Reset laboratories and classrooms for the following day’s instructional schedule.
• Replenish commonly used supplies and communicate low-stock or urgent ordering needs.
• Document unresolved issues and provide an appropriate handoff to supervisors or other team members.
• Ensure assigned areas are left clean, safe, organized, and ready for use.

Operational Ownership and Problem-Solving

• Take ownership of assigned laboratory, inventory, facilities, and logistics responsibilities.
• Anticipate operational needs based on class schedules, events, inventory levels, and campus priorities.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements to laboratory and operational processes.
• Independently prioritize routine assignments while responding to changing needs and urgent requests.
• Manage assigned special projects and follow through to completion.
• Communicate professionally with faculty, staff, students, vendors, and other University partners.
• Report operational, inventory, equipment, or safety discrepancies accurately and promptly.
• Demonstrate the judgment, reliability, and initiative necessary to assume expanded responsibilities as the department grows.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all University laboratory, facilities, maintenance, infection-control, and workplace safety procedures.
• Ensure materials, tools, equipment, and supplies are handled and stored safely.
• Use required personal protective equipment when performing applicable duties.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, spills, hazards, or regulatory concerns.
• Maintain laboratories and instructional spaces in accordance with applicable University policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in required training related to laboratory operations, safety, equipment use, emergency response, and compliance.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of one year of experience in laboratory operations, facilities, maintenance, logistics, inventory, healthcare education support, or a related environment.
• Ability to safely operate common hand tools, power tools, material-handling equipment, and general maintenance equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to organize supplies, equipment, workspaces, and competing assignments.
• Strong communication, customer-service, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Detail-oriented approach with a commitment to accuracy, cleanliness, safety, and service quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and general computer applications.
• Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, urgent requests, and operational issues.
• Valid state driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in business, logistics, economics, healthcare, science, a technical or trade field, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting instructional laboratories, healthcare skills laboratories, simulation centers, science laboratories, or higher education environments.
• Experience with inventory control, purchasing, ordering, receiving, or equipment tracking.
• Experience coordinating laboratory, classroom, facilities, or event setups.
• Experience identifying process improvements or assuming informal team-lead responsibilities.
• Familiarity with virtual reality, simulation, cadaver, therapy, science, or healthcare laboratory environments.

Compensation

$21.00–$23.00 per hour. Compensation is based on education, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Conditions of Employment

• A job-related assessment may be required during the interview process.
• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be physically present on campus unless otherwise noted.
• Employment verification will be conducted to validate work experience in accordance with applicable accreditation standards.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Valid California Driver's License with an acceptable driving record required. Must be able to travel between University locations and operate University vehicles when assigned.
• Must be eligible to operate University vehicles, if assigned.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in instructional laboratories, simulation environments, classrooms, offices, storage areas, event spaces, and other campus facilities.
• Regular movement between laboratories and campus locations is required throughout the workday.
• May work in skills, therapy, virtual reality, cadaver, science, simulation, or bedside laboratory environments.
• Duties may involve exposure to cleaning products, disinfectants, laboratory materials, mechanical equipment, noise, frequent interruptions, and changing operational priorities.
• Regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors, and contractors.
• May occasionally work before or after regularly scheduled classes or campus events to support instructional or operational needs.

Physical Demands

• Regularly stands and walks for extended periods.
• Frequently bends, reaches, kneels, crouches, pushes, pulls, carries, and moves equipment or materials.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to move furniture, laboratory equipment, instructional supplies, boxes, carts, and other materials safely.
• Ability to operate ladders, hand tools, power tools, carts, dollies, and general maintenance equipment safely.
• Frequently transports laboratory supplies and equipment throughout the campus.
• Proficient in using computers, inventory systems, electronic keyboards, and standard office equipment.
• Communicates effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.
• Ability to read labels, instructions, schedules, safety information, inventory records, and technical documentation.
• Ability to hear and understand voices, alarms, equipment sounds, and other safety notifications. .

Employee Benefits

• Health Care Plan, including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Retirement Plan, including 401(k)
• Exciting University events
• Seasonal motivational health and wellness challenges
• Work/Life Balance initiatives
• On-site wellness program and Staff Chiropractor
• Life Insurance, including Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D coverage
• Paid Time Off, including Vacation, Sick Leave, and Public Holidays
• Family Leave, including Maternity and Paternity Leave

Institutional Values

Diversity and Inclusion

Stanbridge University’s motto, “Strength through Diversity,” reflects our deep commitment to honoring the diverse backgrounds of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. We strive to build an inclusive learning environment and uphold anti-discrimination practices in all aspects of University life.

Innovation and Technology

We embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning through interactive, hands-on experiences, including virtual reality and simulation laboratories, ensuring students are prepared for the demands of modern healthcare practice.

Community Engagement

Through initiatives such as Stanbridge outREACH, students are empowered to give back to local and global communities, cultivating compassion, civic responsibility, and social awareness.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanbridge University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

I positioned the role as a true laboratory operations position, while retaining the physical, facilities, inventory, and logistics requirements necessary for the campus.