Conducts medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

• Prepares tissue sections for microscopic examination; examines and analyses samples to study the effects of microbial infections; analyses samples of body tissue and fluids to develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases; advises medical practitioners on the interpretation of tests and methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease; sets up the steps and rules of laboratory medical testing; operates and maintains laboratory equipment; maintains laboratory quality assurance and safety standards; prepares scientific papers and reports.

• Frequently works indoors in community and hospital laboratories. Some employees may work in commercial laboratories and veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

• Works in adequately lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained workspaces.

• Works with a broad range of living and dead organisms, solvents, chemicals and biological materials that may be hazardous. Protective clothing will be used.

• Light physical demand. Frequently sits in laboratories.
• Frequently stand and walk in laboratories to collect samples and equipment.
• There is an occasional requirement for light lifting, carrying or pulling when assembling research equipment.
• Occasional bending, squatting, crouching, stretching and reaching may be required.
• This is however, not a significant requirement.
• Contact with skin irritants and water may occur and protective clothing and equipment should be utilised when possible.
• Frequent repetitive hand and finger movements are required when using hand tools including writing instruments, computers and general laboratory equipment.
• Driving is not a significant component of the job.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with technical, computing, research, laboratory, analytical, mathematical, report writing, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and decision-making capabilities.

A relevant tertiary qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). In some instances particular experience and/or on-the-job training may be required. Registration with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand and a current annual practising certificate are also required.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.