Laboratory Assistant (CR2602): Part-time in Wallsend

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK's animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals.

Your duties will include:

• Sample testing in order to establish the diagnosis of animal disease
• Monitoring animal health
• Screening for incursion of exotic disease
• Performing statutory testing

A wide variety of tests are undertaken utilising serology, microbiology, parasitology and molecular biology techniques. All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment level 1 facilities, with some work being undertaken at the higher containment levels. The job involves working with pathogens and hazardous samples and must be undertaken following safe working practices as specified in instructions and safety documentation. All laboratories perform to ISO 17025 standards, and all work must conform to these standards.

The APHA operate a network of laboratories offering different test portfolios at each site, requiring the job holder to understand the wider role of the department, and how these fit with other departments of the wider agency. This is part time for 16.74 hours per week, there is flexibility in the number of days the hours will be worked per week, this will be agreed with the successful candidate.

There is an opportunity to undertake a fully funded Biological Science Degree Apprenticeship at Level 6 or a Level 3 Laboratory Technician. Details of the qualification required to undertake this apprenticeship is under person specification. Please note this apprenticeship is offered as part of employee benefits to those who are interested and meet the qualification requirement. It does not form part of the eligibility and selection criteria for this role.

You will be working as part of a cross-department team of veterinary, laboratory and administration staff to deliver testing results to internal and external customers. The work undertaken can be varied and may range from registering submissions on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), undertaking repetitious tasks, to undertaking testing that requires specialist and demanding technical ability. Laboratory staff are required to liaise with other agency laboratories and may be required to communicate with external customers.

Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed.

Gamma Interferon: Ensure all samples received for gamma testing are processed as efficiently as possible. Stimulation of high volumes of whole blood samples. Carry out enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing.

Media Production: Preparation of solid and liquid culture media. Quality control checks of products.

Salmonella and Animal by-products: Ensure all samples received for Salmonella and animal by-products testing are processed as required.

General: Receipt and dispatch of samples on a LIMS System. Recording test data and findings. Housekeeping duties. Preparation of critical test reagents. Disposal of samples and spent reagents. Use of lab equipment, autoclave, pipettes etc. Keeping line management informed of problems/ anomalies.

Health and safety: Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures. Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments. Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory. Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training. Participate in safety audits/ inspections to support the local safety manager.

Quality: Accurate record keeping. Working to Standard Operating Procedures. Working to quality standards (ISO 17025). Participate in proficiency testing schemes. Participate in audits to support the local quality manager.

Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.