Job summary
The Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory (SMTL) are recruiting a Biological Testing Technician to work from the Princess of Wales site in Bridgend as part of the biological testing department, reporting to the Biological Technical Manager.
SMLT currently operates from Prince of Wales Hospital. We are currently working in line with the COVID-19 legislation and guidelines and have implemented home-working and safe onsite working regulations throughout the organisation. We are also looking at how we balance flexibility with community, and how we manage opportunities to learn from each other.
This new world has allowed us to think about how we can work in alternative ways whilst still providing a service and presence at a number of NHS premises across the regions. Going forward, we will pilot a blended approach to working and will ask you to attend your contractual base sometimes. Therefore, you will need to be able to commit to some travel throughout Wales and to making best use of our excellent technological solutions in order to develop, lead and support the service.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be expected to undertake biological testing of medical devices as required, to maintain records of all documents related to laboratory testing, reporting any discrepancy in laboratory results and work to the ISO 17025 accreditation status of the laboratory. They will be expected to work closely with SMTL's other departments.
Workload will vary from general routine tasks to performing technical testing on sensitive medical devices. Therefore the applicant should have good attention to detail, planning/organisation skills and be able to provide support to others as and when required. The requirement to accurately follow written test methods, and the ability to integrate within a small team, but also able to work unsupervised with a high level of attention to detail is essential.
The successful applicant will have experience of working in a laboratory environment, preferably working to a quality system such as ISO 17025. Knowledge of medical devices and biological testing methods would be desirable.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we have high standards and expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening & Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility & Innovating, whilst ensuring trust, honesty and compassion are implicit in everything that we do.
We are adaptable, agile and flexible and pride ourselves on being a learning organisation - one where it is safe to make mistakes, where blame is replaced by opportunity, learning and improvement. Innovation is built into everything that we do.
We recognise our people regularly and have an Appreciation Station, to encourage staff to applaud exemplary behaviour in one another, alongside an Annual Staff Recognition Award ceremony aligned to our values.
We respect and value our people and strive for a culture of compassion and inclusivity. We are a bilingual organisation, and we have a team of Change Champions who advocate 'This is Our NWSSP' our principal change programme. Similarly, PROUD is our new staff network welcoming LGBT+ colleagues and allies to come together in a safe space for discussions, event planning and the opportunity to build supportive networks.
We have a comprehensive benefits package where there is something for everyone, supporting health, engagement and wellbeing and includes an Employee Assistance Programme. We have over 30 Mental Health First Aiders and work in partnership with local and national organisations to ensure the well-being and resilience of our people.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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To perform testing of medical devices for the NHS in Wales and commercial clients, working to a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited quality system BS EN ISO 17025 including bioburden, endotoxin and protein tests.
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To receive, sort, process, log in, and test samples such as surgical materials, dressings, and medical/surgical devices using a variety of microbiological, biological and chemical techniques, and interpreting microscopy and culture results in order to identify microorganisms;. Safely handling and analysing these by performing manual and semi-automatic laboratory investigations, as well as safely disposing of any potentially hazardous materials;
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To accurately maintain written and computerised records of all testing undertaken in accordance with the laboratory's accreditation and quality assurance systems, including updating of appropriate databases;
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To undertake research and development work on new methods of testing on behalf of both the NHS and external clients;
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To prepare technical reports detailing laboratory testing and the associated results, such as reporting the environmental monitoring results from hospital cleanrooms, and operating theatres;
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To prepare and validate any reagents or media as required for testing purposes;
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To perform general housekeeping duties to ensure laboratory tidiness and cleanliness;
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To comply with Health and Safety requirements, and follow safe work practices in the laboratory.
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Measuring and monitoring the accuracy and precision of laboratory instruments using appropriate
-
Quality Control procedures, eg. checking analytical balances prior to every use;
-
To assist with the production of new Test Methods (TMs) and Standard Operating Procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To perform testing of medical devices for the NHS in Wales and commercial clients, working to a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited quality system BS EN ISO 17025 including bioburden, endotoxin and protein tests.
-
To receive, sort, process, log in, and test samples such as surgical materials, dressings, and medical/surgical devices using a variety of microbiological, biological and chemical techniques, and interpreting microscopy and culture results in order to identify microorganisms;. Safely handling and analysing these by performing manual and semi-automatic laboratory investigations, as well as safely disposing of any potentially hazardous materials;
-
To accurately maintain written and computerised records of all testing undertaken in accordance with the laboratory's accreditation and quality assurance systems, including updating of appropriate databases;
-
To undertake research and development work on new methods of testing on behalf of both the NHS and external clients;
-
To prepare technical reports detailing laboratory testing and the associated results, such as reporting the environmental monitoring results from hospital cleanrooms, and operating theatres;
-
To prepare and validate any reagents or media as required for testing purposes;
-
To perform general housekeeping duties to ensure laboratory tidiness and cleanliness;
-
To comply with Health and Safety requirements, and follow safe work practices in the laboratory.
-
Measuring and monitoring the accuracy and precision of laboratory instruments using appropriate
-
Quality Control procedures, eg. checking analytical balances prior to every use;
-
To assist with the production of new Test Methods (TMs) and Standard Operating Procedures.
Person Specification
Other
Desirable
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Scientific knowledge through a relevant degree or equivalent, previous practical microbiological or biological laboratory experience and on-the-job training in specific test methods used in the lab (UKAS, cytotoxicity, water chemical)
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a microbiology or chemistry laboratory
Desirable
- Experience of working to a defined quality system, preferably UKAS accredited
- Experience of endotoxin testing
- Experience of TVC testing
- Linux computer systems
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- good numeracy skills and a good grasp of basic statistics and laboratory calculations
- Good verbal and written communication skills, good laboratory techniques (pipetting and weighing), good organisational skills, producing accurate and timely work
Desirable
- Ability to perform manual procedures and can apply scientific, technical and empirical knowledge to resolve problems
Values and Personal Qualities
Essential
- Personable, Intelligent, with good interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team and unsupervised, able to sustain prolonged levels of concentration for extended periods
Desirable
- Ability to travel between sites
- Ability to work to strict deadlines, manage conflicting demands on time and resources, innovative and able to contribute to the design of test methods, ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team and good attention to detail
Person Specification
Other
Desirable
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential
- Scientific knowledge through a relevant degree or equivalent, previous practical microbiological or biological laboratory experience and on-the-job training in specific test methods used in the lab (UKAS, cytotoxicity, water chemical)
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a microbiology or chemistry laboratory
Desirable
- Experience of working to a defined quality system, preferably UKAS accredited
- Experience of endotoxin testing
- Experience of TVC testing
- Linux computer systems
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- good numeracy skills and a good grasp of basic statistics and laboratory calculations
- Good verbal and written communication skills, good laboratory techniques (pipetting and weighing), good organisational skills, producing accurate and timely work
Desirable
- Ability to perform manual procedures and can apply scientific, technical and empirical knowledge to resolve problems
Values and Personal Qualities
Essential
- Personable, Intelligent, with good interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team and unsupervised, able to sustain prolonged levels of concentration for extended periods
Desirable
- Ability to travel between sites
- Ability to work to strict deadlines, manage conflicting demands on time and resources, innovative and able to contribute to the design of test methods, ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team and good attention to detail
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
