Laboratory Technician

Overview

National Institutes of Health - Rocky Mountain Laboratories - Hamilton, MT 59840

Position Type:
Full Time

Job Shift:
Day

Education Level:
Bachelors Degree

Travel Percentage :
None

Category:
Public Health

• Perform maintenance and repair of the RML research services equipment, such as scientific instrument/medical device shop includes scheduling, performing and documenting maintenance services, as well as scientific instrument/medical device maintenance planning, implementation, and quality management.
• Scientific instruments and medical devices include, but are not limited to, the following: high performance liquid chromatography, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, spectrophotometers, tissue processors, microscopes, electronic pipettes, liquid scintillation counters, lyophilizers, incubators, cell shakers, balances, and x‑ray film processors.
• Work with RML research services equipment to ensure efficient equipment operation, as well as performing preventive maintenance and repair on larger, industrial equipment such as steam sterilizers, glass washers, cage washers, drying ovens, bottle washers, and water chlorinators.
• Work with RML team including other bio research staff, veterinary staff, histopathologists and animal care workers to manage complex BSL‑2, BSL‑3 and BSL‑4 operations.
• Responsible for providing instructions and information concerning the operation, maintenance, and use of equipment to RML staff, and advisory services to those who design, test, produce, procure, supply, operate, repair, or dispose of equipment and may involve developing or revising equipment maintenance as needed.
• Provide specialized technical support in ensuring that scientific devices and research services equipment used in the research laboratories, animal support facilities, and scientific support operations at RML are adequately installed, maintained, certified, and kept in reliable operation.
• Responsible for providing advice to management on the testing, procurement, operation, repair, and disposition of scientific and research services equipment; the incumbent also advises and assists maintenance personnel in the use and procurement of tools or special equipment needed to perform repairs.
• Assist Federal Task Leader with strategies for new equipment acquisitions, planning and implementation.
• Perform scientific instrument and/or research services equipment prepurchase evaluations, and to communicate with research staff, as necessary to provide assistance and in‑service training in the set‑up, calibration, and application of scientific/research services equipment.
• Conducts studies to establish standardized maintenance procedures, shop layouts, and repair operations.
• Interpret and apply blueprints, schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, air flow balance sheets, technical manuals, and other specifications.
• Provides technical support for accident/incident investigations by conducting on‑site surveys, researching tech orders, and questioning of maintenance personnel.
• Develops and maintains master equipment lists with procurement lead times, equipment order dates, forecasted receipt and installation time frames in coordination with the overall project schedule.
• Evaluates and develops parts lists and procurement ordering data in compliance with guidelines, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Manage the shop Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) program by maintaining appropriate calibration schedules and ensuring TMDE is available for scientific instrument or research equipment services.

• B.S. in a related discipline.
• Two (2) years of experience in working with scientific equipment.
• Knowledge of a comprehensive range of maintenance management policies and practices regarding remedial maintenance, scheduled services, equipment classification, technical inspections for issue, equipment accountability.
• Knowledge of electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics and all associated terminology and symbolism in order to identify and repair scientific instrument and/or research services equipment failures.
• Knowledge of interfacing with scientific instrumentation and/or research services equipment…