JOB DESCRIPTION

This form summarises the purpose of the job and lists its key tasks

It may be varied from time to time at the discretion of the College in consultation with the post holder

Job Title: Senior Microbiology Technician / Job ref no: PPS-0268-17
Grade: 5 / Department: PPS Diagnostic Labs
Accountable to: Laboratory Manager / Responsible for: Supervision & training of junior staff
Job summary:
To provide routine and specialist diagnostic laboratory services for internal and external clients, including RVC hospitals, students, researchers and local, national and international veterinary practices and institutions.
Competency: Knowledge & Experience
Key tasks: Extensive experience in the following:
·  All diagnostic Microbiology techniques, including ability to culture and identify a wide range of bacteria and fungi associated with infectious disease, reporting directly to client.
·  Veterinary parasitology diagnostics, from analysis to direct reporting to client
·  Understand the scientific principles of all the above techniques
·  Health & Safety documentation and procedures within the laboratory environment
·  Standard Operating Procedures
·  Windows based computer programmes
Competency: Service Delivery
Key tasks:
·  Demonstrate commitment to high standards of service delivery
·  Previous experience of working to and meeting deadlines
·  Able to advise others (clients, students etc.) on all aspects of service
·  Actively promote service to outside practices/institutions
·  Understand and explore client/customer needs
·  Able to set standards for the areas of service covered above
·  Monitor service levels/turnaround times
·  Be aware of ongoing client needs and anticipate changes in future requirements
Competency: Teamwork & Motivation
Key tasks:
·  Be part of a multidisciplinary team but also work independently when required.
·  Able to motivate others when supervising/training/teaching
·  Organise and delegate work fairly according to individuals abilities
Competency: Planning & Organising Resources
Key tasks:
·  Plan & organise own and others workload or resources on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to ensure deadlines are met
·  Ensure exchange of information to complete planning within work areas or Diagnostic unit
·  Ability to multitask and be flexible within working practices as required
·  Be responsible when working within each service, to include organisation of research projects etc.
·  Set performance standards within each service and ensure these are monitored
Competency: Communication
Key tasks:
·  Able to communicate well in both informal and formal situations using the most appropriate format
·  Able to interpret results to clients daily
·  Able to explain specialist technical/scientific information on all areas of service delivery
Competency: Initiative & Problem Solving
Key tasks:
·  Able to adapt to changing work patterns
·  Ability to identify and take appropriate action on abnormal results
·  Able to troubleshoot failures within the service, going through various potential options to resolve problems
·  Able to anticipate problems and if necessary be innovative to resolve issues
Competency: Analysis & Research
Key tasks:
·  Experience of QC in practice, interpretation and response
·  Able to identify the appropriate method of analysis and source additional information as/when required
·  Ability to undertake technical validation of results
·  Provide interpretations of data/results as required
·  Able to research new methods/techniques to enhance existing services
·  Introduction of new tests/methodologies, analysing data and establishing relevant reference ranges as appropriate
Flexibility: To deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above.