A professional who prepares culture media used to develop vaccines and toxoids or to conduct chemical, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests. Respnsibilities include:

• Measures and weighs ingredients, such as food source, chemicals, preservatives, and vitamins, to prepare growth medium, using scales, graduated flasks, syringes, pipettes, and standard formulas.
• Adjusts controls of equipment, such as pumps, filters, steam kettles, and autoclaves, to obtain uniform consistency of sterile medium.
• Removes sample of medium from batch and tests sample for consistency, potency, and sterility, according to standardized procedures.
• Pours medium or adjusts controls on automatic equipment that dispenses medium into containers, such as petri dishes, test tubes, or storage drums.
• Seals containers and prepares and affixes identification labels to containers.
• Maintains production and test records.
• May order supplies.
• May mix ingredients to prepare stains used in tests.