JOB DESCRIPTION
HR191
NOTES
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Forms must be downloaded from the UCT website: http://www.uct.ac.za/depts/sapweb/forms/forms.htm
This form serves as a template for the writing of job descriptions.
A copy of this form should be kept on file in your office.
For re-evaluations, this form must be sent to your relevant HR Advisor/Officer
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title (current title)
LABORATORY ASSISTANT
Status of Post (tick)
New Post
Job Grade (current grade)
PC 5
Faculty (if applicable)
HEALTH SCIENCES
Department
SURGERY
Section (if applicable)
DIVISION OF GENERAL SURGER, SURGICAL
LABORATORIES
Date of Compilation
02.10.2012
Re-evaluation
FOR OFFICE USE
Job Title
Date of Grading
Grading Result
ORGANOGRAM
H.O.D
Prof. D Kahn
SURGICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
MANAGER: PROF. A MALL
LABORATORY &
SKILLS COORDINATOR:
Mr J Lewis
LABORATORY
ASSISTANT :
(this post)
LABORATORY
TECHNICIAN
MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGIST
MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGIST
(Mrs M Tyler)
Job Description: Lab assistant
Key performance area (4 – 6)
1) General cleaning of
laboratory
% of time
spent
20
Activities/ objectives/ tasks
Results/ outcomes
Competencies
Mopping and sweeping of lab floors
when necessary
Uninterrupted and smooth
functioning of the lab
General cleaning knowledge
offered in special lab training
courses by UCT
Disinfect lab surface
Clean and defrost fridge and freezers
Clean balance areas
Clean and refill water baths
Mop and disinfect walk in fridges and
freezer’s floors and surfaces
Clean incubators under supervision
Cleaning of specialized areas* under
supervision for special requirements
Monitor and report cleaning material
stocks for ordering
Moving lab furniture for deep cleaning
on a monthly basis
Cleaning of centrifuges and rotors
2) Waste removal and care
of laboratory
20
Hazardous waste (red bin)
Ensuring a safe lab
environment
Broken glass
Knowledge of hazardous
waste removal in accordance
with safety regulations
Containers for sharp to be replace when
full
Assisting in maintaining records for
disposal of hazardous waste for
invoicing and removal
Non-hazardous waste removal
Safe removal of radioactive waste and
cleaning of area under supervision
3) Washing and autoclaving
20
Prepare instruments for sterilization
Operate washing machine for glassware,
coats and linen
Monitoring sterilization procedure
Laundering of lab coats
Packing pipette tips into dispensing
boxes to fulfil the requirements of the
labs
Will be sent on a radiation
safety course in 2012
Ensure equipment
functioning at optimum
levels
Minimal technical
knowledge
4) General laboratory
maintenance/ Distilled
Water System
20
Distilled/ De-ionise water system
pressure check list and ice machine as
well as monitoring ice supply to labs.
Constant uninterrupted
supply of lab consumables
Knowledge of fluid nitrogen
safety
Assess plastic consumable usage and
restock as required
Prepare reagents – 70% alcohol for all
labs.
Check – 80 freezers for excess ice and
clean where necessary
*specialised areas include
PCR lab, Sterile Unit
Ad Hoc Duties
Department shopping for groceries, etc.
Collecting of lab samples from wards when required
Label slides for Histology
Prepares special slides for Immunohistochemistry
Prepares Histology alcohols, Xylols for normal buffered formalin and needed for processing and staining of tissue
Assisting with stock records of chemicals, chemical inventory and updating MSDS for HCS (Hazardous Chemical
Substances).
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications

National Technical/National Senior certificate
Minimum Experience

Basic computer literacy

Experience in a laboratory environment will be advantageous
AUTHORITY
PRINT NAME
Compiled by
Approved by
Reviewed by
SIGNATURE
CONTACT NO.
DATE