Lab Technician - General

Job Introduction

Job Purpose

To provide scientific staff with routine technical support, to ensure that equipment is always available for use and that reagents, media and other materials are prepared to appropriate standards.

Role Responsibility

Accountabilities or “what you have to do”

   Routine testing and monitoring of laboratory equipment such as balances and pH meters.

   Set up and operation of standard laboratory equipment, for example centrifuges, balances and pH meters.

   To prepare, aliquot and label a large variety of buffers, reagents, buffers and media.

   Prepare and run QC standards.

   Prepare materials and equipment ready for use.

   Undertake in-lab tasks for scientific staff to agreed protocols. E.g. radioactive and environment monitoring gel plates, collection, preparation and distribution of analytical or biological samples.

   Cleaning and disinfection of laboratory equipment.

   Autoclaving of experimental equipment.

   Ensuring the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced.

   Removal of routine laboratory wastes.

   Operate to approved quality standards (e.g. GLP/GMP) Maintain QA systems by keeping accurate records of work undertaken, methods used, and results achieved.

   Using computers and performing mathematical calculations for the preparation of graphs.

   Perform mathematical calculations relating to solution preparation, including molarity and percentage calculations.

   Keeping up to date with technical developments, especially those which can save time and improve reliability.

   Following and ensuring strict safety procedures and safety checks.

   Planning own daily tasks.

   Regular liaison with customer groups/scientific staff on service provision.

   Other ad hoc duties as required by the manager

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or “What it will look like when you are doing the job well”

 Customer & Client Focus:

·         Deliver exceptional customer service to build valuable long term relationships with customers and clients.

·         Accurate and timely service delivery

·         During the course of his/her duties the post holder may have access to, or witness confidential information, which must NOT be divulged to an unauthorised person at any time.

·         All Employees are required to and are responsible for adhering to Quality, Compliance and Environmental, Health and Safety regulations and GSK or Sodexo procedures applicable to their role. Training will be provided to ensure that the procedures are understood and responsibilities are defined. Quality and Compliance non-conformances and potential Quality and Compliance risks to all regulations must be reported immediately to your Line Manager and the Sodexo Compliance Team. Environmental, Health and Safety non-conformances and potential Environmental, Health and Safety risks must be reported immediately to your Line Manager and Sodexo EHS

  Impact and Influence:

·         Communicates to build relationships and interacts appropriately with others.

  Continuous Improvement:

·         Seeks to continuously raise standards and improve quality of performance and service.

·         Excellent feedback received from customers and clients

   Working with others:

·         Works effectively and professionally with others to achieve the desired results. Maintains a good working relationship with colleagues and management.

The Ideal Candidate

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Scientific entry grade suitable for a school leaver with an interest in science, with minimum qualification of four GCSEs grades A-C including science, maths and English
• A minimum of 2 years practical laboratory experience.
• Ability to work supportively as part of a team
• Able to meet deadlines
• Ability to work on own initiative with prioritising and organising.
• Ability to follow protocols consistently and to produce accurate records
• Good safety awareness
• Have high attention to detail
• Being able to concentrate for long periods of time
• Highly motivated
• Good computer skills
• Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to use initiative and improve processes
• Methodical approach.
• Manual dexterity

Contextual or other information

• All work is undertaken within a laboratory environment. Appropriate PPE must be worn at all times
• Handling of hazardous chemicals and biological samples