Apprenticeship training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

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Information about Laboratory technician (level 3)

Providing routine and one-off testing and technical support in a scientific laboratory environment.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace.
  • How to safely store and handle data in line with national and international data protection and cyber security regulations that apply to the role and employer processes.
  • How to apply statistical techniques for data processing and presentation. e.g calculation of median, standard deviation, produce graphs
  • How to recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions.
  • The business environment in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice and codes of conduct.
  • The foundations of health and safety including responsibility for health and safety under Health & Safety at Work Act(HASWA)
  • Risk assessment & control including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments (COSHH) and Safety Data Sheets
  • Safe manual handling procedures including Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
  • Hazardous area classification & Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) rand how they apply within area of responsibility
  • Site and local safety (including fire and electrical), first aid and emergency management systems and procedures.
  • Laboratory health and safety and compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical requirements including the management and control of laboratory waste and the handling and disposal of chemical substances
  • How to order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • How to apply the concepts of resource efficiency to energy, water and waste in the workplace.
  • Internal regulations pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate (eg. Good Laboratory Practice(GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Documentation Practice (GDP))
  • The external regulatory requirements pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate e.g. Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority (MHRA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
  • The reason for laboratory investigations including out of specification results
  • Error reporting and correction techniques e.g. for traceability
  • The principles of Laboratory Information Management systems (digital or paper based)
  • The principles of root cause analysis
  • The key principles of continuous improvement and how workplace organisation techniques can be applied to improve workflow.
  • Theoretical knowledge of named / recognised scientific subject appropriate to the workplace and sector e.g. such as found in the dental, pharmacology sectors.
  • Scientific equipment management including maintenance e.g. cleaning, calibration, recognising equipment faults and when to escalate.

  Skills

  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

  Behaviours

  • Effective communication using a range of skills
  • Effective teamwork
  • Ability to work independently and take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks in compliance with quality and safety standards, challenging unsafe working practices where appropriate.
  • An understanding of impact of their work on others, especially where related to diversity and equality
  • Time management and ability to complete work to agreed schedule
  • Ability to adapt to change
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Accountability of own development needs, undertaking CPD.
  • Demonstrate reliability, integrity & respect for confidentiality on work related & personal matters
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £21,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Laboratory technician
  • Laboratory assistant (prefixed by sector)

View more information about Laboratory technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.