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Student

José Escartín 8-999-361

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How to become a laboratory assistant

Gain experience in a lab environment

Before you can work unsupervised, most employers require some form of hands-on experience. This can be achieved through internships, part-time jobs or work-study programs in labs during your college years. This experience not only exposes you to the practical aspects of lab work but also helps in honing essential skills like attention to detail, data analysis and lab safety protocols.

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Your work is important

On January 26th, the day of the Clinical Sanitary Laboratory Assistant Technician and Clinical Laboratory Assistant.

The clinical laboratory assistant technician is in charge of performing blood extractions with all the biosafety measures and controls, in order to provide a service with high quality standards.

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Other functions

Perform sample, reagent and culture preparation tasks.

Correctly dispose of samples and waste according to the respective time, taking into account safety measures.

Support in the analysis, preparation and development of the stages of each of the activities carried out in the clinical laboratory.

Preserve, clean and sterilize all the material necessary for the analysis, such as bottles, test tubes, buffers, among others.

Preparation of chemical solutions.

Classification of the different samples of blood, tissues, sputum, among others, in order to label and prepare the respective cultures, reagents and solutions.

Keeping patient records.

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Skills and qualifications for a laboratory assistant.

In the dynamic laboratory environment, certain skills and qualifications can set you apart, increasing your chances of success in your role as a lab assistant. Depending on the specific nature of your laboratory work, some skills may be more applicable than others. However, it is universally recognized that a basic set of skills is essential for every laboratory assistant.

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Work in Panama

Public Institutions (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agricultural Development, Social Security Fund, Gorgas Laboratory, SENACYT).

Private sector (private laboratories, clinics, private hospitals, veterinary clinics).

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Profile of a Laboratory Assistant Technician Graduate

They will have the ability to work in a laboratory and support the processes of organizing the instruments and equipment necessary for the processing of biological samples as well as the process of obtaining samples such as phlebotomy.

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Salary in Panama

The National Association of Clinical Sanitary Laboratory Assistants and Laboratory Assistants (Anaalac), demanded the health authorities to comply with the salary adjustment Resolution No. 523 of July 9, 2021; which was declared not illegal by the Supreme Court of Justice, in a ruling issued on March 26, 2024.

According to Resolution 523 of July 9, 2021, clinical laboratory assistant technicians who pass the professional sufficiency exam will receive an adjustment to their salary, which would be $925, shift emoluments of $80 and a year-end bonus in the amount of $400.10.

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Laboratory Assistant

A laboratory assistant is a key support role for scientific professionals, playing a critical part in the day-to-day operations of labs across various industries. These individuals work under the supervision of lab managers or researchers, assisting with tasks ranging from data collection to managing lab equipment.

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How to become a laboratory assistant in Panama

The university where you can study to become a laboratory assistant technician is the specialized university of the Americas.

The career of Clinical Sanitary Laboratory Assistant Technician comprises 6 semesters and 2 summers, with the classroom teaching modality, with 116 credits.

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What does a laboratory assistant do?

A laboratory assistant is a versatile professional performing a range of tasks essential for the smooth running of a lab. They may prepare samples for testing, maintain and clean lab equipment, log data from experiments, conduct basic tests under supervision and ensure adherence to safety protocols.