Laboratory Assistant

About the role

The Laboratory Assistant supports the Donation Testing laboratory by handling specimens, operating specialised equipment, and ensuring safe waste disposal. This position is essential for maintaining workflow efficiency and compliance with laboratory SOPs.

Key responsibilities

• Collect routine specimens from the receiving department, load trays and transport them to the Donation Testing laboratory.
• Respond to senior blood‑grouping requests by obtaining additional specimens when needed.
• Decap donation testing specimens within IPA timeframes and load them onto the appropriate analysers.
• Wash and dry micro‑titre plates within one hour using automated plate washers/incubators or manually.
• Operate decapping instrumentation and scan specimen barcodes into the laboratory database for traceability.
• Run the automated segment sampler according to SOP, including loading consumables and labelled segments.
• Prepare cell suspensions for donation testing technicians.
• Perform weekly stock takes, receive stock deliveries and store items in designated laboratory locations.
• Dispose of waste following SOPs, label and scan containers in the CS Tracker system, and manage medical waste documentation.
• Prepare disinfectant solutions, replenish reagents and test tubes, and maintain cleanliness of laboratory equipment and work areas.

Required profile

• Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures and maintain accurate documentation.
• Attention to safety and waste‑handling regulations.
• Physical capability to handle specimen trays, waste containers and laboratory equipment.

Required skills

• Specimen handling and barcode scanning.
• Operation of automated plate washers/incubators (e.g., Olympus).
• Use of decapping instrumentation and segment samplers.
• Familiarity with CS Tracker or similar waste‑tracking systems.
• Basic laboratory hygiene and decontamination techniques.