Job description - Chemistry Department Technician
Responsibility
The laboratory technician will be appointed by the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of the Oldham Hulme Grammar
Schools.
The laboratory technician will be responsible to the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at the Oldham Hulme Grammar
Schools who is responsible for all non-teaching staff and will be the line manager for the laboratory technician.
The Head of Department will be responsible for day-to-day direction of the laboratory technician’s work and will
prioritise the tasks to be completed.
Authority
The laboratory technician will not have responsibility for any subordinates.
Liaison
The need for confidentiality is very important and must always be considered.
The laboratory technician will be authorised to liaise with the other laboratory technicians in the schools to ensure that
their work is coordinated efficiently.
Liaison with external bodies is authorised subject to prior approval of the Bursar.
Liaison with parents is not authorised.
Internal liaison with staff and pupils is authorised in connection with the tasks listed below.
Key Responsibilities
1) To coordinate the use of practical resources and facilities
a) Preparation of resources, apparatus and equipment with a list of requirements which will normally be provided
48 hours in advance.
b) Delivery of correct quantities of equipment, materials and apparatus to rooms and, if necessary, assisting with
the issue of sets of materials and apparatus to pupils.
c) Assist teachers with the usage of ICT within lessons, for example, setting up data logging equipment and
multimedia projectors.
d) Collect, check and return resources to stores.
e) Give technical advice to teachers, technicians and students.
f) Assist in practical classes and demonstrations when required.
g) Carry out risk assessments for technician activities.
h) Trial practical experiments.
i) Obtain materials by local purchase.
j) Carry out photocopying for the department, when time allows.
k) Organise, with the agreement of the head of department/teacher concerned, displays of student work and
promotional items.
l) Assist with appropriate storage of examination papers, ISAs, photocopiable resources and distribution and
collection of text-books.
m) Preparation of materials and equipment for Open mornings/evenings. Assist in the training of student
demonstrators. Be present on Open day to assist with practical activities.
n) Preparation of materials and apparatus for Chemistry Club. Assist with the practical activities carried out in the
club.
2) To ensure and promote the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment.
a) Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 and subsequent legislation, the schools are obliged to provide an
employee with a work place and working conditions which, so far as is reasonably practicably, are safe and
without risk to health. The employee is required to take care of his/her own health and safety and the health and
safety of others.
b) To actively contribute to the assessment, monitoring and review of both health and safety procedures and
information resources.
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c) Keep up-to-date with health and safety requirements and with developments in practical science by attending
courses and reading publications etc.
d) Give health and safety advice to technical staff, teachers and students.
e) Treat and safely dispose of waste materials.
f) Prepare and keep up-to -date risk assessment materials for all experiments.
g) Check fume cupboards and first-aid kits; carry out safety checks, etc.
h) Organise, store and check the condition of equipment.
i) Attend departmental meetings.
j) If suitably qualified, act as a first aider.
3) To play a role in the design, development and maintenance of specialist resources.
a) Design, construct and modify apparatus, as required.
b) Preparation of standard solutions, etc, purification of chemicals, treatment of waste, as required.
c) Offer professional guidance, assistance and support to students and teachers on the practical aspects of the
curriculum.
4) To be responsible for setting up and monitoring systems used in management and control of practical
resources.
a) Store and maintain resources including chemicals, apparatus, ICT equipment, text-books and periodicals.
b) Keep stock records and catalogue apparatus and visual aids.
c) Compile orders and negotiate with suppliers.
d) Monitor, control and keep financial records of departmental expenditure in accordance with the school’s policy.
e) Ensure availability of suitable materials and equipment and suggest alternatives for suitability and economy.
f) Issue and collect expensive or potentially dangerous items.
g) Develop and update spreadsheets, documents etc using Microsoft Office applications.
5) To be responsible within the chemistry department for the maintenance and routine repair of equipment.
a) Collect, check and return apparatus and chemicals to stores.
b) Clean bench surfaces, sinks and fixed equipment.
c) Clean and repair equipment, generally.
d) Test and calibrate equipment, where necessary.
6) General
a) Any other duties that the Head of Department or Bursar may reasonably request from time to time.
7) Child Protection
a) The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects
all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and may be expected to carry out the following duties:
i) Child protection, discipline, health and safety
ii) Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and
with whom you come into contact.
May 2012
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