Veterinary Laboratory Assistant: Specimen Prep & QA Support

Zoetis Spain SL; West of England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

VPG, part of Zoetis, is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join our team in Ringwood/Bristol. You will support day-to-day lab operations, from specimen reception to stock management, ensuring high quality and safety standards while working in a collaborative environment that values development.

The role involves handling specimens, assisting with QA, training new staff, and maintaining a well-organised lab. Prior lab exposure is helpful, and a positive, team-friendly attitude is essential.

Qualifications

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Professional and confident telephone manner.
• Flexible, self-motivated approach with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic IT skills and confidence using computer systems.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prepare incoming specimens for laboratory processing, ensuring samples are correctly labelled and recorded.
• Open and distribute general deliveries to the appropriate departments.
• Contact clients and partner laboratories by telephone and email when required.
• Provide administrative support, including typing dictation for the Grossing Technician.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised laboratory environment.
• Dispose of wet tissue, specimens, and laboratory containers in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Monitor and replenish laboratory consumables and stock.
• Prepare laboratory cassettes in line with SOPs.
• Prepare reagents for routine laboratory use and change processor reagents.
• Regularly monitor and action laboratory requests.
• Support quality assurance (QA), continuous improvement initiatives, and procedure development.
• Assist with the training of new Laboratory Assistants under the guidance of the Laboratory Manager or Deputy Laboratory Manager.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the laboratory team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Telephone manner

Flexible and self-motivated

Independent work under pressure

Organisational & time management

Verbal & written communication

Basic IT skills

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

VPG, part of Zoetis, is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join our team in Ringwood/Bristol. You will support day-to-day lab operations, from specimen reception to stock management, ensuring high quality and safety standards while working in a collaborative environment that values development.

The role involves handling specimens, assisting with QA, training new staff, and maintaining a well-organised lab. Prior lab exposure is helpful, and a positive, team-friendly attitude is essential.