JOB DESCRIPTION – LAB TEACHING ASSISTANT

Chemistry Department, Bethany College

POSITION TITLE:           Lab Teaching Assistant

SUPERVISOR:              Chemistry Professor (Englund or Lockyear)

FUNCTIONS:                 To assist the Chemistry Professor in helping students with their laboratory experiments

                                    Primary functions include:

1)   ensuring the highest possible levels of student learning and safety

2) assisting students with new laboratory techniques and chemical concepts

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ø       Prepare for an experiment prior to lab day:

·          Read critically and understand the laboratory experiment prior to lab day, and anticipate student questions or problems that may arise during the experiment

·          Ask questions of the Chemistry Professor in advance if anything is unclear

·          Obtain training with any equipment/apparatus/instrumentation prior to lab day

Ø       Answer questions and guide students to a greater understanding of chemical principles and scientific inquiry

Ø       Assist students in learning new laboratory techniques

Ø       Assist students in the use and cleaning of equipment/apparatus/instrumentation

Ø       Ensure proper disposal of any waste generated

Ø       Ensure student safety during experiments

Ø       Manage students in lab clean-up after an experiment

Ø       Calmly respond to fires, chemical spills, and other hazards that may occur while students are working in the laboratory.

Ø       Communicate with Chemistry Professor regarding any concerns related to the laboratory experiment and/or the students’ learning environment

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Ø       3 – 4 hours/week during school year

Ø       1 – 2 hours/day during Interterm

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ø       Student must have taken, and passed with a B or better, the course for which s/he wishes to be a TA

Ø       Work Study, if possible

Ø       Chemistry Teaching major preferred; Chemistry major is second preference

Ø       Communicate personably, thoughtfully, and respectfully with students (not making any comments that could be considered inappropriate or offensive).

Ø       Correctly use and clean laboratory apparatus and instrumentation that is common to the general or organic chemistry laboratory.

Ø       Correctly use and demonstrate the use of laboratory glassware.

Ø       Able to recognize safety hazards while students are working in the laboratory.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE:

Ø       Periodic evaluation by the Chemistry Professor

Career Services
Lower Warner Hall
785.227.3380 Ext 8230
Fax: 782.227.3500
career_service@bethanylb.edu