Interested in a simple Skills Scan and Learning Progress Tracker tool for the Laboratory technician standard?
Knowledge
K1: The quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace.
K2: 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.
K3: How to apply statistical techniques for data processing and presentation. e.g calculation of median, standard deviation, produce graphs
K4: How to recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions.
K5: The business environment in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice and codes of conduct.
K6: The foundations of health and safety including responsibility for health and safety under Health & Safety at Work Act(HASWA)
K7: Risk assessment & control including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments (COSHH) and Safety Data Sheets
K8: Safe manual handling procedures including Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
K9: Hazardous area classification & Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) rand how they apply within area of responsibility
K10: Site and local safety (including fire and electrical), first aid and emergency management systems and procedures.
K11: 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
K12: How to order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
K13: How to apply the concepts of resource efficiency to energy, water and waste in the workplace.
K14: 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))
K15: 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)
K16: The reason for laboratory investigations including out of specification results
K17: Error reporting and correction techniques e.g. for traceability
K18: The principles of Laboratory Information Management systems (digital or paper based)
K19: The principles of root cause analysis
K20: The key principles of continuous improvement and how workplace organisation techniques can be applied to improve workflow.
K21: Theoretical knowledge of named / recognised scientific subject appropriate to the workplace and sector e.g. such as found in the dental, pharmacology sectors.
K22: Scientific equipment management including maintenance e.g. cleaning, calibration, recognising equipment faults and when to escalate.
Skills
S1: Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
S2: Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
S3: Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
S4: Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
S5: Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
S6: 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
S7: Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
S8: Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
S9: Complete documentation proficiently
S10: Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
S11: Contribute to the preparation of reports.
S12: Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
S13: Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
S14: Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
S15: Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
S16: Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
S17: Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
S18: 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.
S19: Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Behaviours
B1: Effective communication using a range of skills
B2: Effective teamwork
B3: 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.
B4: An understanding of impact of their work on others, especially where related to diversity and equality
B5: Time management and ability to complete work to agreed schedule
B6: Ability to adapt to change
B7: Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Accountability of own development needs, undertaking CPD.
B8: Demonstrate reliability, integrity & respect for confidentiality on work related & personal matters
Duty 1
DUTY: Work safely in a laboratory, maintaining excellent housekeeping whilst following appropriate safety, environment and risk management systems.
K6
K7
K8
K9
K10
K11
K22
S1
S2
Duty 2
DUTY: Follow quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace.
K1
K5
K14
K15
S6
S9
Duty 3
DUTY: Prepare for laboratory tasks using the appropriate scientific techniques, procedures and methods
K12
K13
K21
S3
S4
S5
S7
Duty 4
DUTY: Perform laboratory tasks following specified methodologies, such as Standard Operating Procedures.
K1
K14
S7
S8
B2
B3
B4
B5
Duty 5
DUTY: Use of specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment, including calibration where required.
K21
K22
S8
S9
S17
Duty 6
DUTY: Produce reliable, accurate data and keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results.
K2
K22
S10
S11
S12
Duty 7
DUTY: Analyse, interpret and evaluate data and identify results requiring further investigation seeking advice of senior colleagues as appropriate.
K16
K17
K21
S17
S18
S19
B2
B3
Duty 8
DUTY: Communicate scientific information appropriately, including the use of Laboratory Information Management systems, either digital or paper based.
K18
S10
S11
S15
S16
B1
B8
Duty 9
DUTY: Apply scientific techniques for data presentation. e.g. statistics
K3
S12
S13
S15
Duty 10
DUTY: Recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions.
K4
K17
K19
S14
S17
S18
Duty 11
DUTY: Participate in continuous business performance improvement.
