How to hire a microbiology laboratory assistant

How to hire a microbiology laboratory assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step microbiology laboratory assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a microbiology laboratory assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new microbiology laboratory assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The microbiology laboratory assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A microbiology laboratory assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, microbiology laboratory assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of microbiology laboratory assistants.

   Type of Microbiology Laboratory Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Microbiology Laboratory Assistant	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$10-23
   Phlebotomy Technician	A phlebotomy technician is responsible for conducting the medical procedure of drawing blood samples using extraction tools and other equipment. Phlebotomy technicians label the samples for laboratory examinations, donation testing, and other related purposes... Show more	$12-21
   Certified Medical Technician	Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Lab Equipment
   • Data Entry
   • Specimen Processing
   • Microbiology Lab
   • Specimen Handling
   • Lab Procedures
   • Computer System
   • Aseptic Technique
   • OSHA
   • Safety Procedures
   • Body Fluids
   • QC
   • Gram Stains

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
   • Conduct HPLC, PCR, and DNA sample preparations for ongoing microbiological study.
   • Include handling specimens from patients, including tissue, blood, urine, body fluids, stool, and wounds.
   • Stock powdered reagents and perform QC's on all new biochemicals.
   • Assist in a lab that manipulates DNA by regulating gene expression.
   • Set up and break down lab for aquatic chemistry and microbiology classes.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your microbiology laboratory assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A microbiology laboratory assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, microbiology laboratory assistants' average salary in south carolina is 47% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level microbiology laboratory assistants earn 54% less than senior-level microbiology laboratory assistants.
   • Certifications. A microbiology laboratory assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a microbiology laboratory assistant's salary.

   Average microbiology laboratory assistant salary

   $15.74hourly

   $32,736 yearly

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   Entry-level microbiology laboratory assistant salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a microbiology laboratory assistant job description

   A good microbiology laboratory assistant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a microbiology laboratory assistant job description:

   Microbiology laboratory assistant job description example

   Under regular supervision, and according to established procedures, performs a variety of routine laboratory support procedures including collecting, processing, order entry, and transport of laboratory specimens and materials. Interacts with patients, laboratory staff, and caregivers in a courteous and professional manner.
   
   Under regular supervision, and according to established procedures, performs a variety of routine laboratory support procedures including collecting, processing, order entry, and transport of laboratory specimens and materials. Interacts with patients, laboratory staff, and caregivers in a courteous and professional manner.
   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
   
   * High school graduate or equivalent required.
   * Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and demonstrate exceptional customer service skills is required.
   * For positions requiring phlebotomy, a minimum of two months training and experience in phlebotomy is required. Training and experience can be obtained in a formal program or in a volunteer program under the oversight of an experienced phlebotomist who supplies a reference.
   * For assignments requiring travel off-site, candidates must possess and maintain a valid Michigan motor vehicle license and reliable transportation with insurance.
   * Experience in a hospital or clinic laboratory is preferred. 6. Familiarity with medical terminology preferred.
   * Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards, and behaviors as outlined in the HFHS Customer Service policy as summarized below: Communication Understanding Sensitivity Teamwork Ownership Motivation Excellence Respect 8. Must practice the customer service skills as provided through ongoing training and in-services.
   * Must possess the following personal qualities: Be self-directed; Be flexible and committed to the team concept; Demonstrate teamwork, initiative, and willingness to learn; Possess interpersonal skills and communication skills; Be willing to instruct others; and Be open to new learning experiences.
   
   WORKING CONDITIONS:
   
   * Regularly exposed to infection from disease-bearing specimens, organs and tissues. Occasional exposure to radiation hazards. Exposures to odorous and/or toxic chemicals and specimens. Must be capable of standing and walking for prolonged periods to perform work duties. Must be able to perform computer order entry in an accurate manner according to peer based performance standards of productivity.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find microbiology laboratory assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your microbiology laboratory assistant job on Zippia to find and attract quality microbiology laboratory assistant candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting microbiology laboratory assistants requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new microbiology laboratory assistant

   Once you've found the microbiology laboratory assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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