Rmit Position Description

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must include:

–a covering letter outlining your interest in the position

–a statement of your suitability against each of the Key Selection Criteria

–your current curriculum vitae containing names, postal addresses, telephone numbers and where available, e-mail addresses and facsimile numbers of three referees who will provide references when required, and

–a completed Job Application Sheet.

Your application should also include the following details:

–Educational, professional and other relevant qualifications

–Relevant work experience

–If successful, period of notice required to join

–Details of service with other educational institutions, public authorities and military service where applicable

RMIT’s Vocational Education and Training Sector (TAFE Sector) cannot employ persons who have within the last three years received a Voluntary Departure Package from any Victorian Public Sector Department or Government Agency.

The University also has restrictions relating to the re-employment of ex-staff members who had left RMIT with Voluntary Departure Packages, redundancy or negotiated separation packages. The nature of the restrictions depends on individual cases.

Do not send valuable original documents or exhibits with your application, as articles may be lost in transit.

Written applications quoting the relevant reference number should be addressed to:

People ServicesOR emailed to

Kellie Whitburn

RMIT University

City Campus

P.O. Box 188

Carlton South VIC 3053

Please endorse the envelope "APPLICATION - CONFIDENTIAL"

JOB APPLICATION SHEET

Position Description

Position Title:Laboratory Technician (Biosciences)

Position Number:50003057

Time Fraction:1.0 EFT

Tenure Status:Continuing

Classification:HEW Level 3

Salary:$29,708 - $32,799 p.a.

Faculty:Life Sciences

Department:Health and Biosciences

Background Information:General information on the Faculty of Life Sciences is available on the Faculty’s web page:

Campus Location:Based at the City campus but may be required to work at other campuses of the University. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

1The University

RMIT University is a multi-level dual sector education, training and research service organisation, offering programs ranging from certificate level vocational programs through tailored programs for industry and community clients, to post-graduate research programs. The University has several companies that are responsible for commercial activities relating to the University’s core functions.

The University’s goal is to create and sustain a distinctive world-class university at the forefront of technical and professional education and real-world research, through continuous improvement and with all staff committed to quality management processes. As a world-class university, RMIT will be recognised as a leader in its teaching and learning processes, research activities and community services.

For further information see:

3.The Faculty

The Faculty of Life Sciences has one department located on the City Campus and all of its other organisational units located on the Bundoora West Campus of RMIT.

The units located at Bundoora are:

• Department of Biotechnology & Environmental Biology
• Department of Complementary Medicine
• Department of Nursing & Midwifery
• School of Medical Sciences
• Faculty Centre
• Industry Training and Consultancy Unit

The City Campus department is:

• Department of Health & Biosciences

The Faculty provides a comprehensive range of TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate programs in biomedical, plant, environmental and health sciences and nursing. In keeping with the traditions of RMIT, these programs give particular emphasis to practical and vocational applications of the skills and knowledge taught.

The commercial activities of the Faculty are coordinated by the Industry Training and Consultancy Unit. Among the Unit’s activities are the running of short courses and tendered projects, and customising training programs for industry, both on and offshore.

The Faculty is continuing to develop and expand its already extensive research activities, which are of high quality and the outcomes of which benefit the community. Research is concentrated within areas relevant to environmental management, biotechnology, maintenance of health and prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of disease. The increased skills and knowledge gained through research flow directly to the undergraduate programs.

The Faculty offers programs locally, in regional Victoria, nationally and internationally.

4.The Department of Health and Biosciences

The Department operates in an environment which is characterised by: reduction of Government funding as a proportion of total finance required; increased competition in the provision of training services; increasingly complex training requirements on the part of industry; and changing agendas for the training industry on the part of Governments. In view of this environment the Department is expanding its commercial and international activities to offset the reduction of Government funding, as well as continuing to effectively provide Government funded accredited courses. To attain a position of leadership in this environment, the Department must continue to develop products and services to enable it to gain suitable market shares locally, nationally and internationally.

The activities of the Department can be broadly classified into the discipline areas of:

• Biosciences
• Complementary therapies
• Dental auxiliary services
• Nursing and allied health services

The Department’s accredited programs are:

• Advanced Diploma in Health (Myotherapy)
• Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics
• Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)
• Diploma of Applied Science (Biotechnology)
• Diploma of Clinical Neurophysiology
• Diploma of Dental Health Work (Dental Technology)
• Certificate IV in Health (Nursing)
• Certificate IV in Dental Technology
• Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing
• Certificate IV in Pathology Collection
• Certificate III in Dental Assisting

The Department offers programs/courses using the facilities of both the City and Bundoora West campuses of RMIT. Through joint venture agreements, some classes are held at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. Flexible learning strategies underpin the Department’s delivery of education and training to meet the needs of local, national and international students. Commercial activity and a focus on customised, workplace based training to meet the needs of industry are priority areas for the Department.

5.Job Summary

Under direction of the Technical Officer, contribute to the effective and efficient preparation and conduct of the core teaching and learning activities of the Department of Health & Biosciences by performing technical skills and associated teaching laboratory/clinical environment maintenance and office tasks.

In the conduct of their duties the appointee will be required to demonstrate a range of units of competence identified for laboratory technicians, including:

• Communicate with other people
• Provide information to customers
• Process and record data
• Analyse data and report results
• Use laboratory application software
• Maintain the laboratory fit for purpose
• Work safely in accordance with defined policies and procedures
• Follow established work plan
• Apply quality system and continuous improvement processes
• Work efficiently as part of a team
• Perform instrumental tests/procedures
• Prepare, standardise and use solutions
• Calibrate and maintain instruments
• Perform basic tests
• Perform aseptic technique
• Perform non-instrumental tests/procedures
• Perform microbiological tests
• Perform haematological tests
• Perform histological tests
• Maintain and control stocks

An annual individual workplan will be developed with the appointee as part of the management of the Department’s strategic plans.

6.Reporting Relationships

Responsible directly to:Technical Officer

Responsive to:Discipline Leaders, Program Coordinators and

Teaching staff of the Department

Liaise with:Staff and students of the Department

7.Position Accountabilities

7.1 Specific Accountabilities

7.1.1Collect and/or prepare class materials (including solutions, stains and media) instruments and equipment for practical classes and contribute to short term planning of classes

7.1.1Prepare classrooms, laboratories and clinical facilities for student classes

7.1.2Assist with the maintenance of classroom, laboratory and clinical facilities, instruments, equipment and materials

7.1.3Assist with the setting up and maintenance of databases, processing of data and keeping of accurate records as required by University, Departmental and/or other regulatory authorities

7.1.4Ensure that instruments and equipment receive routine maintenance and are kept in operational condition

7.1.5Monitor and maintain stocks of instruments, equipment and materials for class application

7.1.6Participate in field trips to collect materials as necessary

7.1.7Contribute to the maintenance of laboratory/classroom/clinic safety and security

7.1.8Assist with the development of class exercises and procedures

7.1.9Assist in the security and safe handling of materials, instruments, equipment and the facility by implementing safe work practices

7.1.10Assist in the provision of low level technical support of the desktop PC

The duties as specified above may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the position.

7.2Corporate Accountabilities

7.2.1Comply with any direction or instruction aimed at protecting the occupational health, safety and welfare of University staff

7.2.2Cooperate and consult with management and colleagues in the promotion of occupational health, safety and welfare matters

7.2.3Use safe operating procedures to maintain healthy and safe working conditions and to avoid adverse effects on the health and safety of other staff and students

7.2.4Take responsibility for their own safety as well as that of other staff, students and visitors to the University

7.2.5Comply with University equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity initiatives, policies and principles

7.2.6Contribute in a proactive and constructive manner to Departmental/program team staff meetings and planning forums

7.2.7To contribute to the strategic direction setting and policy making processes of the University and the Division by participating in key group, divisional and University forums and undertaking specific Division level projects/tasks

7.3Personal Development

7.3.1To assume joint responsibility for career development by actively participating in various activities (eg mentoring, job rotation, secondments and joint group projects) and producing a jointly agreed development plan identifying key areas which will assist in your personal and professional development. These activities should be consistent with the Department’s Strategic Goals.

8.Qualifications

8.1Essential:

8.1.1Successfully completed VCE or equivalent

8.1.2Successfully completed or currently undertaking a tertiary qualification in laboratory technology applicable to the biological and/or medical sciences or equivalent experience in a biological and/or medical sciences teaching laboratories

8.1.3Current Driver’s Licence

8.2Desirable:

8.1.1Current Level 2, Workplace First Aid Qualification/Certificate

8.1.2Specific expertise as a laboratory technician in the area of histology

9. Key Selection Criteria

9.1Qualifications and Experience

9.1.1Possess qualifications and experience as outlined in section 7 (above)

9.2Knowledge

9.2.1Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to implement Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity policies and procedures as appropriate to the level of the position

9.2.2Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to implement Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures

9.3Skills and Abilities

9.3.1Proven competence in basic biological/medical laboratory techniques

9.3.2Demonstrated effective interpersonal and written communication skills

9.3.3Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively as a constructive and proactive member of a work team

9.3.4Demonstrated competence in the routine use of spreadsheets, word processors and related software

9.3.5Demonstrated ability to contribute to the achievement of quality objectives of an organisation through application of quality control/assurance procedures and continuous quality improvement strategies

9.3.6Demonstrated organisational ability and initiative including proven capacity to work capably under pressure, and respond constructively and effectively to changing priorities and to meet deadlines