National Public Health Laboratory Traineeship [GRIT@Gov]

Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA); Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health agency in Singapore is seeking fresh graduates for its Graduate Industry Traineeship Programme. This role involves managing laboratory specimen reception, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and conducting data management. The ideal candidate has a degree in Biomedical Science and internship experience in a clinical laboratory. This traineeship aims to develop essential skills across various technical and regulatory areas critical to public health operations.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate with background in Biomedical Science.
• Prior internship experience in a diagnostic laboratory preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage laboratory specimen reception and ensure compliance.
• Data management, processing surveillance records in IT systems.
• Coordinate with vendors and manage inventory.

Skills

Strong analytical and critical thinking

Ability to learn and apply new skills

Commitment to continuous improvement

Effective stakeholder collaboration

Education

Degree in Biomedical Science

Job description

What the role is

The Graduate Industry Traineeship Programme within the Public Service (GRIT@Gov) aims to provide fresh graduates with opportunities to gain industry-relevant skills and experience that can strengthen their employability to take up full-time roles in the sector. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) – National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) traineeship programme is designed to cultivate competent laboratory assistants who can effectively support both public health and clinical laboratory functions. This comprehensive approach combines practical and hands-on experience with essential theoretical foundations to address urgent workforce requirements in the industry, such as diagnostic testing and surveillance operations. Upon successful completion of the traineeship programme, the trainee will acquire expertise across six core competency areas: technical laboratory proficiencies, comprehensive safety and regulatory compliance knowledge, quality management protocols and documentation practices, data management systems and technological applications, effective communication and collaborative teamwork abilities, and problem-solving with critical thinking capabilities. The programme structure ensures that the trainee possesses the multifaceted skill set necessary to contribute meaningfully to laboratory operations while maintaining the high standards required for public health laboratory operations and clinical diagnostic functions.

What you will be working on

The trainee will be responsible for the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory total testing cycle and work in a team to ensure effective operation of the laboratory specimen reception station. Your responsibilities include the following:

• Oversee the acceptance and rejection of specimen receipt and ensure there is no non-compliance that compromises specimen integrity, poses safety risks to the scientific officers or fails to meet regulatory requirements
• Identify specimens that are temperature or time sensitive and ensure specimens at sample reception are processed in a timely manner in accordance with laboratory reception protocol
• Data management including the processing of surveillance forms/records and performing data entry into current IT systems such as the laboratory information system (where applicable)
• Coordinate laboratory specimen reception, including inventory management, vendor liaison and distribution of supplies to external clients such as healthcare providers and outbreak teams
• Other duties include conducting specimen transfers within the TTSH campus in compliance with institutional SOPs

What we are looking for

Job Requirements

• Fresh graduate who has completed studies in Biomedical Science
• Prior internship experience in clinical, diagnostic laboratory setting and familiarity with terminology used in laboratory

Key Competencies Required

• Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Judgements – Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to support the crafting of sound policy recommendations; ability to grasp timelines, operating context and ground realities.
• Learning & Putting Skills into Action – Possesses the drive and curiosity to learn and apply new skills, knowledge and new ways of working.
• Improving & Innovating – Ability to seek continual improvements, and to innovate and experiment while managing the risks involved.
• Working Effectively with Stakeholders – Ability to mobilise and rally partners and stakeholders towards a collective purpose.