Laboratory Technician (Entry Level)
Pinnacle Testing & Specialty Labs LLC
Akron, Ohio
Position Overview
Pinnacle Testing & Specialty Labs is seeking an entry-level Laboratory Technician to join our analytical laboratory team in Akron, Ohio.
This position is designed for an individual with a scientific degree who is interested in beginning a career in analytical laboratory testing. The Laboratory Technician will receive structured training in laboratory procedures, sample preparation, quality control, documentation, laboratory equipment, and regulated testing practices.
This is a hands-on laboratory position with the opportunity to develop additional technical skills over time. Employees who demonstrate strong technical competency, reliability, attention to detail, and continued professional development may have opportunities to progress into a Laboratory Analyst position as laboratory needs and individual qualifications allow.
Primary Responsibilities
The Laboratory Technician will support routine laboratory operations under established SOPs and quality system requirements. Responsibilities may include:
- Prepare samples for analytical testing through weighing, homogenization, aliquoting, extraction, dilution, digestion, plating, or other method-specific preparation procedures.
- Prepare and document reagents, laboratory supplies, consumables, quality control materials, and sample batches.
- Perform routine and ancillary laboratory testing after completion of required training and competency.
- Operate assigned laboratory equipment and testing systems after appropriate training and authorization.
- Accurately complete laboratory worksheets, logs, chain-of-custody records, and electronic laboratory records.
- Enter and maintain information within laboratory information management systems and other applicable laboratory software.
- Follow established quality control procedures and recognize potential sample, documentation, equipment, or testing issues.
- Communicate abnormal observations, quality concerns, equipment problems, or workflow delays to appropriate laboratory personnel.
- Assist Laboratory Analysts with sample preparation and other authorized analytical activities.
- Organize and stage samples, standards, supplies, and materials for laboratory testing.
- Assist with inventory, laboratory supplies, and consumable organization.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe laboratory work areas.
- Follow laboratory SOPs, safety requirements, quality system procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Participate in training, competency assessments, quality improvement activities, proficiency testing, and laboratory projects as assigned.
- Perform other laboratory and technical support duties as needed.
Education
Required:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Science, or another related scientific discipline.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in a laboratory-based scientific discipline.
- College coursework involving analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, organic chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or related laboratory sciences.
Professional laboratory experience is preferred.
Experience obtained through college laboratory courses, undergraduate research, internships, academic research laboratories, or previous laboratory employment is beneficial.
Previous exposure to any of the following is preferred but not required:
- Analytical chemistry
- Sample preparation or extraction
- HPLC
- GC or GC-MS
- LC-MS/MS
- ICP-MS
- PCR or microbiology
- Pipettes, balances, volumetric preparation, and routine laboratory equipment
- Laboratory documentation or quality control
- LIMS or other laboratory software
- ISO/IEC 17025 or other regulated laboratory environments
Training will be provided for assigned laboratory methods and equipment.
Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate will:
- Have strong attention to detail.
- Be comfortable performing repetitive, detail-oriented laboratory work while maintaining accuracy.
- Be able to follow written procedures exactly and consistently.
- Demonstrate good laboratory organization and documentation practices.
- Be comfortable working with numbers, calculations, measurements, and scientific data.
- Possess good written and verbal communication skills.
- Be willing to learn new laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
- Be able to receive technical feedback and apply it effectively.
- Work independently after training while contributing to a team-based laboratory environment.
- Be dependable and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced laboratory.
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and a strong commitment to data quality.
- Be comfortable using computers and learning laboratory software systems.
Regulatory and Employment Requirements
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be able to successfully complete applicable employment and regulatory requirements.
- Selected personnel will be registered with the State of Ohio as applicable to their laboratory responsibilities.
- Must successfully complete laboratory training and competency requirements before independently performing assigned testing or operating designated laboratory equipment.
- Must comply with laboratory safety, confidentiality, impartiality, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Work Environment
This is an on-site laboratory position involving hands-on work in a fast-paced analytical testing environment. The position requires regular laboratory bench work, accurate sample handling, use of laboratory equipment, completion of technical documentation, and coordination with other members of the laboratory team.
The successful candidate should be interested in developing a long-term career in laboratory science and willing to build progressively greater technical responsibility through training and demonstrated competency.
Pinnacle Testing & Specialty Labs LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Work Location: In person
