Laboratory Technician at National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)

REFERENCE NUMBER: NICDCDC0824/001-02

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Safety Compliance:

• Daily checks to ensure that the outstanding test lists are cleared
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment and use quality control to evaluate the effectiveness thereof
• Ensure compliance with health and safety measures at all times—daily, monthly, and yearly
• Make recommendations to seniors regarding preventative maintenance

Laboratory Process (Produced Laboratory Work and/or Laboratory Reports):

• Receive, sort, and prioritize patient samples according to laboratory SOP
• Daily analysis of patient samples according to laboratory SOP for suitability relevant to the diagnostic, reference, and surveillance functions of the Centre
• Ensure that reliable and accurate results are generated
• Daily adherence to set turnaround time for each test onsite
• Daily filing and storage of specimens, be responsible for the long-term storage of samples, and maintain an electronic inventory
• Check abnormal results according to laboratory SOP and report results according to SOP
• Prepare reagents and media for specialized testing
• Daily documentation of data in own area of work
• Enter test results on LIS, complete technical records to ensure that results are reported timeously to stakeholders
• Be involved with cell culture preparation as necessary to facilitate virus isolation testing for human and environmental samples

Maintenance and Operation of Equipment:

• Perform equipment maintenance as per schedule
• Compliance and application of SOPs
• Ensure sufficient stock is available as per guidelines
• Perform quality checks
• Troubleshoot lab equipment (root cause analysis should inform preventative maintenance)

Quality Assurance:

• Be involved with quality control (IQC and EQA) as per lab SOP
• Identify out-of-range IQC and report deviations to supervisor
• Identify results that are outside expected findings and ensure that appropriate action is taken timeously, according to lab SOP
• Monitor that log sheets are completed and appropriately filed and carry out corrective actions where applicable

Teaching, Training, Research, and Development of Laboratory:

• Evidence of CPD and/or training presentations
• Participate in teaching and training of laboratory personnel and healthcare colleagues in laboratory skills and health science

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Grade 12/NQF 4
• SMLTSA Certificate
• Registered with HPCSA in Virology, Microbiology, or Clinical Pathology as a Medical Technician
• 4 years post-qualification experience
• Knowledge of technical appliances
• Knowledge of quality control procedures
• Troubleshooting skills
• Attention to detail
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel essential
• Use of laboratory equipment
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation)
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy
• Record keeping and filing skills
• Ability to demonstrate the use of laboratory equipment
• Time management and organizational skills