Laboratory Technician

zoetis; Exeter; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis in Exeter is seeking a Laboratory Technician to participate in day-to-day diagnostic laboratory operations, ensuring tests are performed to high quality within agreed turnaround times. You will assist in delivering a market-leading pathology service to clients and support QC/QA activities.

The role requires following SOPs, maintaining safety and housekeeping, performing routine analyses, preparing reagents, managing data in LIMS, and contributing to CPD and training of staff as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory setting with routine tests.
• Ability to follow SOPs and maintain QA standards.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good computer skills including Excel and LIMS.
• Willingness to undertake training and CPD.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine investigations and daily scientific activities.
• Handle specimens receipt, storage, and disposal.
• Input, retrieve, and analyse data, consult senior staff as needed.
• Maintain equipment and work areas cleanliness.
• Prepare reagents per SOPs.
• Work according to SOPs and use LIMS.
• Participate in training and CPD.
• Ensure results reported within TATs.
• Assist with SOP writing/updating.

Skills

Laboratory procedures

LIMS

Quality control

Safety compliance

Data entry

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Training others

Job description

Role Description

Summary

• To actively participate in the day-to-day activities of the diagnostic 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.

Core Competencies:

• 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

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform routine 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
• 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
• 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
• Assist with telephone enquiries to and from the department
• Assist with writing and updating SOPs used within the laboratory
• Requesting and maintaining stock in an efficient way, ensuring correct supplies are always available
• Ensure quality assurance reports for their designated section are maintained, issues highlighted and reports available for review by the management / quality team
• IQC is checked and signed off daily and any issues are raised with a senior colleague
• Participate in the training of other staff members when authorised and to assist with supervision of less experienced staff
• Ensuring results are reported within expected TAT's
• Ensure laboratory maintenance is being performed and any quality assurance procedures are followed
• Provide information for business cases when asked by an appropriate manager
• Participate in test validation or external studies where appropriate
• To undertake any other reasonable duty when requested to do so by an appropriate manager

Other:

• Be an ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion.
• Communicate and role model the values and behaviours of Zoetis.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate manager.
• Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.
• Complete all statutory, mandatory and essential training within timeframes specified.

Safety:

• To observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required
• Report all incidents and adverse events to managers and assist in the investigations of any incidents
• Participate in risk assessment monitoring
• To ensure that the equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP's
• To comply with VPG policy for annual mandatory updates and have knowledge of COSHH and Lifting and Handling Policies
• Observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required.

Skills & Experience

• The candidate must possess relevant experience within the laboratory
• A good working knowledge of principles underlying testing procedures.
• Ability to train other technical staff where authorised and appropriate
• 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, Teams, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage change and create a positive environment throughout the change process
• Takes responsibility for own personal developm