The Laboratory Technician is responsible for assisting with sample preparation, routine laboratory tasks, reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, and general laboratory support activities to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory operations within the laboratory Quality Management System (QMS) This position is Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
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Sample Preparation & Laboratory Support
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Receive, label, sort, register, and prepare environmental samples for analysis in accordance with laboratory procedures and chain-of-custody requirements.
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Perform routine sample preparation activities including weighing, filtration, digestion, extraction, dilution, preservation, and aliquoting.
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Prepare reagents, standards, consumables, and laboratory materials as directed.
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Assist chemists and senior laboratory staff with routine analytical and operational laboratory activities.
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Support laboratory workflow and operational activities to achieve turnaround time (TAT) and productivity targets.
Equipment, Maintenance & Housekeeping-
Clean, maintain, and organise laboratory glassware, consumables, equipment, and work areas.
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Perform basic equipment checks, calibration checks, and routine maintenance activities where trained and authorised.
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Monitor laboratory consumable and reagent stock levels and notify supervisors of shortages or ordering requirements.
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Assist with maintaining laboratory organisation, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
Method Support & Continuous Improvement-
Assist with activities associated with method validation, verification, optimisation, transfer, and implementation as directed by chemists or supervisors.
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Prepare reagents, standards, QC samples, consumables, and laboratory materials required for method development and routine testing activities.
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Participate in training and competency assessment activities relating to analytical methods, laboratory procedures, equipment operation, and laboratory processes.
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Support continuous improvement initiatives, workflow optimisation, and operational changes within the laboratory environment.
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Assist with maintaining operational readiness during implementation of new methods, equipment, or laboratory processes.
Quality & Documentation-
Complete laboratory worksheets, preparation records, chain-of-custody documentation, maintenance records, and related laboratory documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
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Follow approved SOPs, laboratory procedures, test methods, and QMS requirements.
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Report errors, damaged samples, nonconforming work, equipment faults, or unusual observations promptly to supervisors.
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Ensure laboratory records and documentation are maintained in accordance with laboratory QMS requirements.
Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)-
Follow all WHS requirements, laboratory safety procedures, and risk control measures.
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Use appropriate PPE and follow safe chemical handling, storage, and waste disposal practices.
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Maintain laboratory cleanliness, housekeeping standards, and waste segregation requirements.
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Identify and report hazards, incidents, near misses, or unsafe conditions promptly.
Team Support-
Support laboratory staff to achieve operational priorities, turnaround times (TAT), and productivity objectives.
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Participate in training, competency assessment, toolbox meetings, and laboratory communication activities where required.
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Promote effective teamwork, communication, accountability, and compliance with laboratory procedures and QMS requirements.
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Perform additional duties as assigned in accordance with the employee’s competency, training, workload capacity, and organisational priorities.
Essential Criteria:
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Certificate, Diploma, or relevant laboratory experience in science, laboratory technology, environmental science, chemistry, or a related field preferred.
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Good organisational, communication, and time management skills.
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Ability to follow procedures accurately and maintain attention to detail.
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Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
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Basic understanding of laboratory safety and safe chemical handling practices.
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Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
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Full Australian working rights.
Desirable Criteria:
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Experience working in an environmental, commercial, or NATA-accredited laboratory environment.
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Knowledge of laboratory sample preparation techniques and routine laboratory operations.
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Familiarity with laboratory documentation, chain-of-custody requirements, and QMS procedures.
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Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or related laboratory software.
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Current driver’s licence.
