Hiring Now | Lab Assistant | Genetics | Centurion Ampath Laboratories | Permanent Position Available

Ampath Laboratories, one of South Africa’s most trusted and respected diagnostic pathology groups, is recruiting a dedicated, precise, and HPCSA-registered Lab Assistant to join its NRL Genetics department at the Centurion laboratories in Gauteng. This is a permanent position offering a meaningful opportunity to contribute to diagnostic healthcare excellence at a foundational level — supporting specimen preparation, laboratory housekeeping, special procedures, and administrative tasks within a high-performance, quality-driven genetics laboratory environment. If you hold a Grade 12 certificate, are registered with the HPCSA as a Laboratory Assistant, and take genuine pride in contributing to healthcare behind the scenes, Ampath wants to hear from you.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply before 06 June 2026 at 21:00.

Lab Assistant Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Lab Assistant — Genetics
Job Reference Number	L070002
Company	Ampath Laboratories
Department	NRL Genetics
Business Unit	Ampath Laboratories
Industry	Pharmaceutical & Medical / Healthcare / Diagnostics
Job Type	Permanent
Positions Available	1
Salary	Market Related
Hours of Work	42 hours per week — 5 days
Location	Centurion, Gauteng
Closing Date	06 June 2026 at 21:00
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

What Does a Lab Assistant Do?

The Lab Assistant at Ampath’s NRL Genetics department plays a foundational role in supporting the precision and quality of the laboratory’s diagnostic services. In this position, you will ensure that specimens are received and prepared with care, that the laboratory remains a clean, safe, and well-organised working environment, and that every process within the daily laboratory workflow flows smoothly and in full compliance with applicable standards. You will also be involved in special procedures and administrative support tasks, making you an integral contributor to the department’s daily operational success.

This role is best suited to someone who finds purpose in contributing to healthcare excellence behind the scenes — who understands that the accuracy and consistency of laboratory support work directly affects diagnostic outcomes and patient care. At Ampath, the Lab Assistant is not a peripheral role — it is a foundational one, and the right candidate will be supported through focused learning solutions designed to continuously develop their capabilities and grow their contribution over time.

Please note: Candidates must be registered with the HPCSA as a Laboratory Assistant prior to application. HPCSA registration is a non-negotiable compliance requirement for this post. Candidates who are not yet registered will not be considered.

Ampath is committed to Employment Equity and actively encourages applications from individuals across all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups, in line with the company’s Employment Equity goals.

Key Responsibilities of a Lab Assistant

Specimen Receipt & Preparation

• Receive and prepare specimens for laboratory processing, ensuring all samples are handled with care, accuracy, and in strict accordance with laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure that all specimens are correctly labelled, logged, and allocated to the appropriate processing workflow without delay or error.
• Handle specimens in a manner that maintains their integrity and suitability for testing, minimising the risk of contamination, deterioration, or misidentification at every stage of the preparation process.
• Follow all relevant biosafety and handling protocols applicable to the Genetics department, including the correct use of personal protective equipment at all times.

Laboratory Housekeeping & Environment Maintenance

• Maintain a consistently clean, safe, and well-organised laboratory environment, ensuring that all workspaces, equipment surfaces, and storage areas meet the hygiene and safety standards required in a diagnostic laboratory setting.
• Perform regular cleaning and decontamination of laboratory areas and equipment in accordance with established schedules and SOPs.
• Ensure that waste disposal is carried out correctly and in compliance with applicable laboratory safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Identify and report any housekeeping concerns, safety hazards, or equipment issues to the relevant supervisor promptly and accurately.

Special Procedures Support

• Assist with special procedures within the Genetics department as directed by senior laboratory staff, following all relevant protocols and quality standards.
• Ensure that all tasks associated with special procedures are completed accurately and within required timeframes, supporting the uninterrupted flow of the department’s diagnostic work.
• Demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply new techniques and procedures as required by the department, in line with Ampath’s commitment to continuous professional development.

Administrative Support & Record-Keeping

• Provide administrative support to the laboratory team as required, including data entry, record-keeping, and the management of laboratory documentation in line with departmental standards.
• Perform basic numerical calculations accurately as required for specimen handling, administrative tasks, and laboratory record management.
• Ensure all laboratory records and documentation are completed, filed, and maintained in an accurate, timely, and audit-ready manner.

Team Collaboration & Compliance

• Collaborate effectively with laboratory colleagues and senior staff, contributing to a positive, supportive, and high-performance team environment within the NRL Genetics department.
• Comply fully with all Ampath policies, procedures, and quality standards applicable to the Lab Assistant role, including health and safety, HPCSA professional standards, and laboratory quality management requirements.
• Actively engage with focused learning solutions and development opportunities provided by Ampath to grow capabilities and improve contribution to the team over time.

Minimum Requirements – Lab Assistant

Educational Qualifications:

• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate (essential)

Professional Registration:

• Registered with the HPCSA as a Laboratory Assistant — current and valid registration (essential — non-negotiable)

Skills Requirements:

• Strong communication skills in English — written and verbal — for effective collaboration with colleagues and contribution to the team environment (essential)
• Ability to perform basic numerical calculations accurately, supporting specimen handling and administrative tasks (essential)

Personal Attributes:

• High level of attention to detail and consistency in all laboratory preparation and administrative tasks
• Commitment to precision and quality in a regulated healthcare and diagnostics environment
• Reliable, punctual, and able to perform consistently in a fast-paced laboratory setting
• Genuine purpose and engagement in contributing to healthcare excellence, even in a behind-the-scenes support role
• Willingness to learn and develop through Ampath’s focused learning solutions

Ampath is committed to Employment Equity. Applications are actively encouraged from individuals from underrepresented groups in line with the company’s Employment Equity goals and the commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities Ampath serves.

Core Values We Look For in a Lab Assistant

Precision & Consistent Accuracy

In a genetics diagnostics laboratory, the quality of every downstream test result depends on the accuracy of specimen preparation and handling at the foundational stage. We look for Lab Assistants who bring genuine precision to their work — who label correctly, prepare with care, follow protocols without shortcuts, and understand that their consistency at the bench is a direct contributor to the accuracy and reliability of patient diagnostic outcomes.

Safety Consciousness & Housekeeping Discipline

A safe, clean, and well-organised laboratory is not just an operational standard — it is a patient safety obligation. We value Lab Assistants who treat housekeeping and decontamination responsibilities with the same seriousness as technical tasks, who follow waste disposal procedures correctly, who use PPE consistently, and who report hazards or non-compliance immediately without waiting to be reminded.

Team Contribution & Collaborative Spirit

Ampath’s laboratory teams achieve excellence together. We value Lab Assistants who show up as engaged, communicative, and supportive team members — who ask for guidance when uncertain, who share information that affects workflow, who contribute positively to the team environment, and who understand that every individual’s performance and attitude directly affects the collective output of the department.

Professionalism & HPCSA Standards

HPCSA registration is not just an administrative requirement — it is a professional commitment to upholding the standards and ethical obligations of the laboratory sciences. We value Lab Assistants who understand what their registration means, who maintain their professional standing with pride, and who conduct themselves in accordance with the HPCSA’s professional standards in every aspect of their daily work within the Ampath environment.

Eagerness to Learn & Grow

Ampath invests in the development of every team member through focused learning solutions designed to build capability for the future. We value Lab Assistants who embrace this investment — who approach each learning opportunity with openness and engagement, who apply new knowledge and skills with enthusiasm, and who have a genuine long-term ambition to grow their contribution within the laboratory sciences field.

Career Growth Opportunities in Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences & Healthcare

Joining Ampath Laboratories as a Lab Assistant in the NRL Genetics department is a meaningful entry point into the diagnostic healthcare sector, supported by an organisation that invests in the growth and development of its people. For motivated, high-performing individuals, the career progression pathway is clear:

• Lab Assistant → Medical Laboratory Technician (with further study and HPCSA registration)
• Medical Laboratory Technician → Senior Medical Laboratory Technician
• Senior Medical Laboratory Technician → Laboratory Supervisor / Team Leader
• Laboratory Supervisor / Team Leader → Laboratory Manager / Section Head

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions – Lab Assistant Jobs

Is HPCSA registration as a Laboratory Assistant compulsory before applying? Yes. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Laboratory Assistant is a non-negotiable requirement for this post. Candidates who have completed Grade 12 but have not yet obtained HPCSA registration as a Laboratory Assistant will not be considered. Candidates who are in the process of registering but have not yet received confirmation of registration should not apply until their registration is confirmed and current.

What department will the Lab Assistant be working in? This post is specifically within the NRL Genetics department at Ampath’s Centurion laboratories. Candidates should be aware that genetics is a specialist diagnostic environment, and while the Lab Assistant role is foundational in nature, the department operates within a highly technical and regulated context where precision, adherence to SOPs, and biosafety compliance are central to every day’s work.

What are the working hours for this role? The Lab Assistant position requires 42 hours per week across a 5-day work week. The specific shift schedule and hours will be confirmed during the recruitment process. Candidates should be comfortable with the demands of a full-time laboratory support role in a high-volume diagnostic environment.

Does this role involve patient contact? No. The Lab Assistant role is a laboratory-based, behind-the-scenes support position. The primary focus is on specimen preparation, laboratory housekeeping, special procedure support, and administrative tasks within the Genetics department — not direct patient interaction. However, the accuracy and care applied in this role has a direct impact on patient diagnostic outcomes.

Does Ampath have Employment Equity commitments for this role? Yes. Ampath is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce in line with its Employment Equity goals. Applications are actively encouraged from individuals across all backgrounds, with particular encouragement extended to candidates from underrepresented groups. Ampath believes that diverse perspectives drive innovation and excellence in healthcare.

What is the closing date and how will I know if my application was received? The closing date for applications is 06 June 2026 at 21:00. Once you have applied, watch your inbox for an email confirming your next steps in the recruitment process. If you are not contacted within a reasonable period after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

How to Apply for This Lab Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your laboratory sciences career and contribute to diagnostic excellence at Ampath? Applications are open now. Quote reference number L070002 in all correspondence and submit your application via the Ampath careers portal.

👉 Apply Online via Ampath Careers Portal

Closing Date: 06 June 2026 at 21:00. Applications received after this time will not be considered.

HPCSA registration as a Laboratory Assistant is a non-negotiable requirement. Applications from unregistered candidates will not be processed.

Once you have applied, keep an eye on your inbox for an email with your next steps in the process.

Ampath is committed to Employment Equity and encourages applications from candidates from underrepresented groups.

Apply early — this vacancy closes on 06 June 2026 at 21:00.

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