Technician (Wash-up), Academic Health Sciences

Technician (Wash-up), Academic Health Sciences

Primary Purpose: To provide lab support services for both student and research labs in the Health Sciences Facility.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Associate Director of Operations at Academic Health Sciences, this position performs tasks related to the washing and sterilization of laboratory equipment, assisting in student labs as required, and cross training in the other wash-up and lab facilities within the building complex. The duties are of moderate complexity but broad in scope and require the application of appropriate acquired scientific and technical knowledge and skills; follows developed standard operating procedures and in consultation with the Associate Director decides which processes to employ to achieve work objectives; plans workflow to meet demands, deadlines, and to accommodate peak periods and unexpected situations. Working conditions include working in areas of high humidity and heat, working with laboratory chemicals, lifting and carrying bulky and heavy objects, subject to unpleasant odors, coming in contact with animal dander and waste, etc. Due to the nature of the work the position requires the incumbent to have all appropriate health and safety training including WHMIS, Biosafety, Laboratory Safety, etc. and maintain this training as required by law and university policies.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities: Provides wash-up and sterilization services for soiled and contaminated equipment and waste from student and research labs.

• Operates glassware washers, autoclaves, sonicators, acid washing, and other pertinent equipment.
• Ensures supplies – gas, chemicals, consumables, glassware, etc. are maintained, reordered, and restocked as required for the wash-up facility and student labs.
• Assists in setting up student labs and the set-up, testing and repair of equipment in the labs as directed.
• Performs routine and semi-annual cleaning of student labs as required.
• Assists with the decommissioning of research laboratory space when researchers leave the University or scale back their research operations.
• Manages lab coat laundry pick-up and returns, tracking usage and submitting billing information to individuals or labs as directed.
• Manages the use and disposal of bio-hazard bins in student and research labs.
• Maintains water purification units.
• Assists in the preparation of media, reagents, and other material for student and research labs as well as tissue culture facilities within the building.
• Performs basic equipment maintenance and certification testing for used laboratory equipment and submits service requests for items requiring more advanced repairs.
• Cross trains in other wash-up and lab facilities of the building so that service is maintained in all areas when there are vacations or leaves.
• Works closely with the Health Science Supply Centre to ensure supplies are ordered and delivered as delivered.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education: Completion of Grade 12. A diploma in laboratory technology or training in sterilization/infection control is an asset. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Certificates of completion and current standing for WHIMIS 2015, Biosafety, Biowaste Handling and Laboratory Safety are required for the job but may be taken immediately after starting if lacking.

Licenses: Not applicable

Experience: Basic experience providing laboratory support and/or relevant technical experience and a good knowledge of biosafety and sterilization procedures and regulations is desired. Experience working in a biomedical laboratory with washing and sterilization equipment as a laboratory technician would be an asset.

Skills: Effective interpersonal and communication skills to deal with a diverse group of faculty, students and support staff; demonstrated ability to work as part of team as well as with minimal supervision; proficient with Microsoft Office software; physically fit to be able to lift heavy and bulky objects and to stand and walk for extended periods of time; demonstrated effective organizational and troubleshooting skills; attention to detail; ability to work productively and handle multiple competing tasks with competing demands; ability and desire to learn new tasks and procedures quickly.