Laboratory Assistant at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• The incumbent will clean micro-Titre plates, decap and scan specimen collections, to load and operate the automated segment sampler, to perform routine bio-hazardous waste disposal and cleaning duties according to relevant Standard Operating Procedures.

Job description

Key Performance Areas.

KPA 1 Laboratory Operational Objectives. 

• Collect routine specimens from the receiving department by loading specimen trays and transporting them to the Donation Testing laboratory. 
• Respond to blood grouping senior requests by collecting more specimens when required. 
• Decap Donation Testing specimens according to IPA timeframes before loading these into the relevant machine/s. 
• Wash and dry micro titre plates within 1 hour of completion on Olympus either by use of automated plate washers/incubator or manually. 
• Operate decapping instrumentation and/or scan specimen barcodes into the relevant database so as to facilitate specimen traceability and tracking. 
• Load and operate the automated segment sampler according to SOP. 
• Receive labelled segments from the Inventory department. 
• Load the automated segment sampler with consumables. 
• Load the segments for sampling. 
• Provide the Donation Testing technicians with prepared cell suspensions. 
• Assist with stock control by performing a routine stock take on a weekly basis. 
• Receive stock and pack into the designated place in the laboratory. 

KPA 2 Waste Disposal Objectives 

• Dispose of waste according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): 
• Order and Receive all stock required from Waste Disposal Service Providers and Stores. 
• Attach traceability labels and scan containers into stock using CS Tracker system. 
• Place bin liners into correct colour coded medical waste containers. 
• Collect and discard outdated samples daily. 
• Seal and package plastic liners in medical waste containers daily. 
• Capture waste information on the computer system. 
• Prepare documentation for waste traceability: 
• Record full containers on Waste tracking document. 
• Prepare Dangerous Goods Transportation document. 
• Receive the waste manifest and file for future linking and reference. 
• Receive waste disposal document and link with original manifest. 
• Collect and place medical waste containers in the designated area daily for removal and disposal by the approved waste removal company. 
• Check weighing of waste by the Waste Disposal Company. 

KPA 3 Daily Laboratory Duty Objectives 

• Prepare disinfectant solutions for laboratory use, when necessary. 
• Replenish all laboratory reagents as required daily. 
• Replenish test tubes in the laboratories daily, and examine for suitability for use. 
• Collect and send soiled items to the laundry as required. Return the clean items to the relevant work areas timeously. 
• Clean the laboratory and equipment according to SOP: 
• Decontaminate, clean and dry items including miscellaneous racks, wash-out trays and recycle boxes. 
• Assist with the clean-up of blood spills. 
• Clean saline and water containers. 
• Clean and refill detergent containers, ensuring that freshly prepared disinfectant is available for decontamination purposes, at all times. 
• Clean and maintain the automated segment sampler. 
• Defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers, according to schedule.

KPA 4 SHEQ Compliance Objectives.

• Assist with gathering information to resolve non-conformances, to resolve errors, deviations from 
• SOPs and customer complaints when necessary e.g. retrieve destruction records for discarded materials. 
• Comply with SOPs. 
• Comply with Standards of Practice and Safety, Health & Environmental requirements and participate in continuous SHE Legislative compliance. 

KPA 5 General Function Objectives 

• Perform other job related duties within the laboratory as and when required by the section supervisors and other senior staff

Competencies.

Cognitive

• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving

Personal.

• Ethical behaviour
• Personal Development 
• Flexibility/ Adaptability
• Excellence Orientation
• Drive and Belief in the cause.

Interpersonal.

• Customer Service Orientation
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Engaging Diversity
• Teamwork

Minimum requirements

Education 

• Grade 12.

Apply by: 4 March 2026