Job location: Hitchin

Location: On site / Hitchin, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Medical diagnostics
Annual Salary Range: from £ 23,980.00 to £ 25,500.00

Job Benefits:

• Life Assurance
• Discount platform (supermarkets, high street, cinema & travel)
• 25 days annual leave (28 days after 3 years of service)
• Enhanced absences (sickness and parental)
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Dog friendly offices

Job Summary:

• To actively participate in the day-to-day activities of the VPG laboratory operation ensuring all tests are carried out to the highest quality and within the agreed turnaround times.
• Assist in delivering a market leading pathology service to all clients of the VPG.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work safely in the laboratory – following all relevant SOP’s, health and safety, risk assessments and COSHH documentation.
• Understand and follow all quality procedures to meet the required quality standards
• Understand and comply with any internal or external regulations relevant to the workplace
• Maintain excellent housekeeping, including laboratory maintenance procedures, cleaning, and decontamination
• Understand and perform management, control, and disposal of laboratory waste
• Always understand and adhere to Good Laboratory Practices
• Undertake any mandatory training as required by the business
• Perform basic laboratory investigations and participate in daily scientific and technical activities of the laboratory section
• Participate in the receipt, recording, storage, allocation, and disposal of specimens – also identifying and resolving issues effectively with the assistance of senior colleagues where appropriate
• Participate in the input, retrieval, and analysis of data, seeking advice from a senior colleague where appropriate
• Participate in the day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of equipment and working areas within the laboratory
• Prepare reagents and other materials for routine laboratory use following appropriate SOP’s
• Perform general laboratory duties as assigned by the lab manager – e.g., Temperature checks
• To work in accordance with SOPs at all times
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS and other application software to authorised protocols
• To actively participate in ongoing training and further learning / CPD where appropriate
• Plan and prioritise work allocations – responding to the needs of routine and urgent activities
• To contribute to the internal and external QC/QA procedures and highlighting concerns to a senior colleague
• Requesting and maintaining stock in an efficient way, ensuring correct supplies are always available
• Ensuring results are reported within expected TAT’s
• Ensure laboratory maintenance is being performed and any quality assurance procedures are followed
• To undertake any other reasonable duty when requested to do so by an appropriate manager

Knowledge, Skills, Attributes & Experience:

Essential:

• A minimum requirement of 3 GCSE’s to include English and Maths and at least one science subject.
• Must be able to work unsupervised once training is complete.
• High attention to detail required to work accurately within agreed timeframes.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of levels of staff within the laboratory.
• Good developed interpersonal and team working abilities.
• Ability to manage time to best advantage.
• Ability to adapt efficiently to change.
• Able to plan activities within area of work.
• High degree of dexterity required.
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
• A good working knowledge of principles underlying testing procedures.
• An ability to work in a systematic manner. Be able to work independently to complete allotted tasks in a time-sensitive manner with a high attention to detail.
• High degree of dexterity required and able to concentrate for extended periods of time.
• Good knowledge of computer applications and LIMS including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage change and create a positive environment throughout the change process.
• Takes responsibility for and contributes to own personal development.
• Maintains required level of quality of their own work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, courteously and with clarity at all times.

Desirable:

• An interest in science and ambition to progress within the laboratory.

Working Hours:

This is a full time role, Monday to Friday with participation in the Saturday rota.