Laboratory Assistant

Job category: Medical Research and Laboratory Sciences

Location: Roodepoort

Contract: Permanent

Business Unit: Constantia Kloof

Remuneration: R 176,644.00

EE position: No

Introduction

The incumbent will clean micro-Titre plates, decap and scan specimen collections, load and operate the automated segment sampler, and perform routine bio-hazardous waste disposal and cleaning duties according to relevant Standard Operating Procedures.

Key Performance Areas

KPA 1: Laboratory Operational Objectives

• Collect routine specimens from the receiving department by loading specimen trays and transporting them to the Donation Testing laboratory.
• Respond to blood grouping senior requests by collecting more specimens when required.
• Decap Donation Testing specimens according to IPA timeframes before loading these into the relevant machine/s.
• Wash and dry micro titre plates within 1 hour of completion on Olympus either by use of automated plate washers/incubator or manually.
• Operate decapping instrumentation and/or scan specimen barcodes into the relevant database to facilitate specimen traceability and tracking.
• Load and operate the automated segment sampler according to SOP.
• Receive labelled segments from the Inventory department.
• Load the automated segment sampler with consumables.
• Load the segments for sampling.
• Provide the Donation Testing technicians with prepared cell suspensions.
• Assist with stock control by performing a routine stock take on a weekly basis.
• Receive stock and pack into the designated place in the laboratory.
• Dispose of waste according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Order and receive all stock required from Waste Disposal Service Providers and Stores.
• Attach traceability labels and scan containers into stock using CS Tracker system.
• Place bin liners into correct colour-coded medical waste containers.
• Collect and discard outdated samples daily.
• Seal and package plastic liners in medical waste containers daily.
• Capture waste information on the computer system.
• Prepare documentation for waste traceability.
• Record full containers on Waste tracking document.
• Receive the waste manifest and file for future linking and reference.
• Receive waste disposal document and link with original manifest.
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company.
• Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company.

KPA 3: Daily Laboratory Duty Objectives

• Prepare disinfectant solutions for laboratory use when necessary.
• Replenish all laboratory reagents as required daily.
• Replenish test tubes in the laboratories daily, and examine for suitability for use.
• Collect and send soiled items to the laundry as required. Return the clean items to the relevant work areas timeously.
• Clean the laboratory and equipment according to SOP.
• Decontaminate, clean and dry items including miscellaneous racks, wash-out trays, and recycle boxes.
• Assist with the clean-up of blood spills.
• Clean saline and water containers.
• Clean and refill detergent containers, ensuring that freshly prepared disinfectant is available for decontamination purposes at all times.
• Clean and maintain the automated segment sampler.
• Defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers according to schedule.

KPA 4: SHEQ Compliance Objectives

• Assist with gathering information to resolve non-conformances, errors, deviations from SOPs, and customer complaints when necessary e.g. retrieve destruction records for discarded materials.
• Comply with SOPs.
• Comply with Standards of Practice and Safety, Health & Environmental requirements and participate in continuous SHE Legislative compliance.

KPA 5: General Function Objectives

• Perform other job-related duties within the laboratory as required by the section supervisors and other senior staff.