Laboratory Assistant

SUMMARY:
Laboratory Assistant

POSITION INFO:

Main job function

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES (full time employee)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE LABORATORY - selected and agreed upon test aspects in Virus laboratory in compliance with the Quality Management System, ISO/IEC 17025, SANAS, regulatory requirements and requirements from the client.

• Performance of routine and diagnostic tests. This includes but is not limited to buffer preparation, coating of plates, loading of samples, washing of plates, application of conjugate and substrate, verification of controls in agreement with the test schedule determined by the technologist/supervisor.
• In the execution of research projects, assist the virus laboratory technologist in the performance of applicable experimental work as per project proposal.
• Participation in Proficiency testing; interlaboratory testing and intra-laboratory testing.
• Participate in the evaluation of internationally available test kits under the supervision of the responsible technologist.
• Documenting all testing activities during the execution of duties and responsibilities as assistant technologist in the virus laboratory.
• Recordkeeping of testing activities during the execution of duties and responsibilities as assistant technologist in the virus laboratory.
• Identify and report departures from the procedures and protocols in the Quality Management System.
• Verification of balance/s and pipettes as per written procedures.
• Responsible for the monitoring and recording of the environmental conditions in the applicable section and relevant areas.
• Assist in the supervision and maintenance of housekeeping in the virus ELISA laboratory and relevant areas.
• Responsible for the routine operation and maintenance of the RO-system; incubators; freezers; cold- room in the virus laboratory.
• Processing of G0-tuber samples.

CONTINUED COMPETENCE AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT

• Maintain knowledge in all aspects of test activities (sample handling and processing, test methods and techniques, reagents, and kits as well as equipment and apparatus used to facilitate continuous improvement of laboratory).
• Improve knowledge about specific protocols, procedures, and ISO/IEC 17025 to identify departures.
• Continued competence in understanding and application of ISO/IEC 17025 in relevant test aspects.
• Investigative possibilities of improvement, preventative actions, and minimizing risks.
• Communicate/recommend possibilities to the supervisor for referral to Management for consideration and approval.

LIAISON:

• Liaising with local and/or foreign visitors when so requested.
• Attendance of forums, symposia and workshops as recommended / requested by management.

SUPERVISORY CAPACITY AND TRAINING – selected and arranged topics and test aspects in Virus ELISA laboratory in compliance with the Quality Management System, ISO/IEC 17025, SANAS, regulatory requirements and requirements from the client

• Supervise laboratory and general assistants (2) and part-time workers in sample handling, preparation, and processing in relevant test activities.
• Assist the technologist in training laboratory assistants and new appointees at the company in the performance of test related tasks.
• Assist the technologist in training new appointees from regional laboratories in Potato Laboratory Services that perform test related tasks.
• Assist in planning and compilation of the program of the Potato Laboratory Annual Workshop.
• Responsible for effective housekeeping and supervising the packing of pipette tips as well as Bio tubes in this section.

STAND-IN FOR (refer to individual profiles) – all test aspects agreed upon in compliance with the Quality Management System, ISO/IEC 17025, SANAS, regulatory requirements and requirements from the client.

• Assistant Virus laboratory
• Arrangement of temporary workers.
• Supervision of temporary workers in stimulation, counting, and moving of samples.

Qualifications

Microbiologist, Biochemistry or Plant pathology graduate

Experience

Minimum 1 year experience

A Consultant will be in touch if you are shortlisted for the position. Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not have been contacted within 2 weeks. We will keep your CV on our database and contact you should you match the criteria of any other vacancies.