Laboratory Technician I - Temporary

southafrica-fhcrc; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 985,000 - 1,477,000; Full time

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is seeking a laboratory support professional to assist with quality control, QA, and general lab operations. The role involves IQC/EQA, reporting, and maintaining an audit-ready laboratory environment.

Qualifications include a National Diploma in Medical Technology and HPCSA registration, with 2–5 years of lab experience. The position requires careful record-keeping, communication, and teamwork within a collaborative research setting.

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Medical Technology with HPCSA registration.
• 2-5 years laboratory experience.
• HPCSA registration must be current.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, evaluate and report quality control for rapid test kits.
• Perform external quality assurance per SOPs.
• Maintain clean and safe laboratory environment.
• Assist in inventory control and readiness for audits.
• Liaise with study coordinators on lab queries.

Skills

Client service

Communication

Teamwork

Computer Skills

Laboratory maintenance

Technical skills

Interpersonal relations

Education

National Diploma in Medical Technology

HPCSA Registration

Job description

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The main purpose of this position is to provide laboratory support for all studies.

Responsibilities

Monitoring, evaluating and reporting

• Responsible for performing weekly internal quality control (IQC) on all rapid test kits according to SOP’s and Laboratory Quality Management Plan
• Perform external quality assurance (EQA) on a rotational basis as per SOP’s and Laboratory Quality Management Plan
• Report laboratory related incidences as per site SOP’s and workplace guidelines
• Report to study coordinators or doctors of abnormal on-site rapid test results as per study protocols (e.g. positive or discordant HIV result)

Laboratory testing and processing

• Perform weekly and monthly preventative maintenance on all laboratory equipment (e.g. cleaning of centrifuges)
• Ensure clean and safe working environment (e.g. checking eyewash bottle for contamination)
• Record and monitor laboratory temperatures daily
• Respond to temperature SMS alerts when required
• Assist with up to date inventory control (e.g. alert senior lab technologist when orders need to be placed)
• Assist in ensuring the laboratory is audit ready at all times

Laboratory facility maintenance

• Perform weekly and monthly preventative maintenance on all laboratory equipment (e.g. cleaning of centrifuges)
• Ensure clean and safe working environment (e.g. checking eyewash bottle for contamination)
• Record and monitor laboratory temperatures daily
• Respond to temperature SMS alerts when required
• Assist with up to date inventory control (e.g. alert senior lab technologist when orders need to be placed)
• Assist in ensuring the laboratory is audit ready at all times

Laboratory administration

• Liaise with study coordinators when resolving queries with local and international laboratories (e.g. samples need to be re-tested)
• Ensure testing log sheets and QC documentation are correctly filled in and filed according to SOP’s and Laboratory Quality Management Plan
• Participate in site meetings and sponsor calls
• Undergo training in new and updated research protocols

Qualifications

Education, Certification, Qualifications and Experience Needed

• National Diploma in Medical Technology, registration with the HPCSA
• 2-5 years laboratory work
• HPCSA Registration

Competencies, Job Specifications Required to do the Job

• Client service
• Task related knowledge and skill
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Building interpersonal relationships
• Computer Skills
• Basic laboratory equipment maintenance
• Good Technical Skills

Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) Consent to Use and Collection of Personal Information, Including Consent to Background Check.