Job summary
The role of the Assistant Technician is to provide
specialist cleaning and support services to the Positron Emitting
Radiopharmaceutical Laboratory (PERL). This facility operates to Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards under a Specials Manufacturing Licence
from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The
Assistant Technician will ensure that excellent cleaning standards are
maintained, in line with the terms of GMP and the MHRA licence. They will do
this by following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and specific
instructions given by their manager. This will include observing clean room procedures
in relation to handwashing, gowning and clean room behaviour, and making sure
that all cleaning activities are recorded appropriately.
Main duties of the job
Previous experience of carrying out cleaning duties in a
laboratory-based setting would be an advantage, but is not essential for a
candidate who is good at following clear instructions and willing to learn. The
post-holder will become a key support member to the core team responsible for
production of radiopharmaceuticals necessary for PET scans used for patient
benefit.
This is a part time post (20
Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract
for 1 year in the first instance (with possibility of extension). All work will be done
on-site at St Thomas Hospital. Usual hours of working will be between 12:00
and 16:00 although more flexible arrangements will be considered.
About us
The PET Centre is part of Guys & St
Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College London within the School
of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences.
The Positron
Emitting Radiopharmaceutical Laboratory (PERL) plays a crucial role in
the clinical PET Centre, serving over 8,000 patients and research
participants annually from South-East London and beyond. It is an
integral part of both King's College London's School of Biomedical
Engineering and Imaging Sciences and Guy's & St Thomas' National
Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust. Our PET Center relies heavily on
the PERL facility for the supply of radiopharmaceuticals and this is
likely to become increasingly important when the new Total Body PET
scanner is installed later this year.
Comprising two GMP clean rooms, a QC
laboratory, and an R&D laboratory with a total of 24 hot cells, the
PERL facility is equipped with a PETtrace high-energy cyclotron and
various dispensing units, calibrators, and analysis equipment. It
operates under a Specials manufacturing license, currently producing (18F)fluorodeoxyglucose
(FDG) and (11C)methionine routinely, with ongoing development
of additional radiotracers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To
use practical skills to deliver a specialist cleaning service in a controlled
environment, using defined methods and equipment, and by following specific
instructions and standard operating procedures to deliver the service. Scope of
services will include:
o
Cleaning
and disinfecting surfaces within the clean rooms and the facility
o
Mopping
floors, walls and ceilings in the clean room and clean room change areas
according to SOPs
o
Cleaning
handwashing areas and replenishing soap and hand towels
o
Removing
non-hazardous waste from the facility and disposing of appropriately
o
Replenishing
stocks of specialist clothing, and other items
-
To
engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives that aid
in understanding PERL operations and becoming familiar with the principles of
Good Manufacturing Practice, in line with the Technician Commitment and
Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year
-
To
ensure efficient use of resources by maintaining and securing facilities,
including by collecting and distributing clean room clothing
-
To
work to an agreed work plan and day-to-day objectives determined and
prioritised by the line manager(s)/ supervisor, including:
- To
following
radiation safety procedures as described in the Local Rules, SOPs and as
directed by your manager
- To
following
instructions for clean room procedures in relation to handwashing, gowning and
clean room behaviour
-
To
solve routine day-to-day problems and use initiative in applying established
guidance/ methods to solve more complex, predictable problems that impact on
the local service
-
To
report less routine or complex matters to the line manager(s)/supervisor(s) for
guidance
-
To
use accurate record keeping of all cleaning activities, including monitoring
the facility to ensure that it is functioning to the correct standards in terms
of cleanliness
-
To
work with colleagues and network as agreed by the line manager(s), and form a
network of contacts to provide support and share best practice
-
To
build working relationships with School staff, students, and key partners, to
coordinate activities in a timely and effective manner
-
To
demonstrate and advise staff and students on routine cleaning techniques as
appropriate
-
To
communicate information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing
-
To
contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures
-
To
implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following the Kings
sustainability audit process, where appropriate
-
To
collaborate with colleagues to share good practice and support wider
sustainable initiatives and suggest new ideas where you see that improvements
could be made
-
To
carry out periodic and ad hoc tasks as required.
Previous
experience of carrying out cleaning duties in a laboratory-based setting would
be an advantage, but is not essential for a candidate who is good at following
clear instructions and willing to learn. The post-holder will become a key
support member to the core team responsible for production of
radiopharmaceuticals necessary for PET scans used for patient benefit. The role
is for 20 hours per week and all work will be done on-site at St Thomas
Hospital. Usual hours of working will be between 12:00 and 16:00 although more
flexible arrangements will be considered.
The above list of
responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to
undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within
the scope and grading of the post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To
use practical skills to deliver a specialist cleaning service in a controlled
environment, using defined methods and equipment, and by following specific
instructions and standard operating procedures to deliver the service. Scope of
services will include:
o
Cleaning
and disinfecting surfaces within the clean rooms and the facility
o
Mopping
floors, walls and ceilings in the clean room and clean room change areas
according to SOPs
o
Cleaning
handwashing areas and replenishing soap and hand towels
o
Removing
non-hazardous waste from the facility and disposing of appropriately
o
Replenishing
stocks of specialist clothing, and other items
-
To
engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives that aid
in understanding PERL operations and becoming familiar with the principles of
Good Manufacturing Practice, in line with the Technician Commitment and
Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year
-
To
ensure efficient use of resources by maintaining and securing facilities,
including by collecting and distributing clean room clothing
-
To
work to an agreed work plan and day-to-day objectives determined and
prioritised by the line manager(s)/ supervisor, including:
- To
following
radiation safety procedures as described in the Local Rules, SOPs and as
directed by your manager
- To
following
instructions for clean room procedures in relation to handwashing, gowning and
clean room behaviour
-
To
solve routine day-to-day problems and use initiative in applying established
guidance/ methods to solve more complex, predictable problems that impact on
the local service
-
To
report less routine or complex matters to the line manager(s)/supervisor(s) for
guidance
-
To
use accurate record keeping of all cleaning activities, including monitoring
the facility to ensure that it is functioning to the correct standards in terms
of cleanliness
-
To
work with colleagues and network as agreed by the line manager(s), and form a
network of contacts to provide support and share best practice
-
To
build working relationships with School staff, students, and key partners, to
coordinate activities in a timely and effective manner
-
To
demonstrate and advise staff and students on routine cleaning techniques as
appropriate
-
To
communicate information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing
-
To
contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures
-
To
implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following the Kings
sustainability audit process, where appropriate
-
To
collaborate with colleagues to share good practice and support wider
sustainable initiatives and suggest new ideas where you see that improvements
could be made
-
To
carry out periodic and ad hoc tasks as required.
Previous
experience of carrying out cleaning duties in a laboratory-based setting would
be an advantage, but is not essential for a candidate who is good at following
clear instructions and willing to learn. The post-holder will become a key
support member to the core team responsible for production of
radiopharmaceuticals necessary for PET scans used for patient benefit. The role
is for 20 hours per week and all work will be done on-site at St Thomas
Hospital. Usual hours of working will be between 12:00 and 16:00 although more
flexible arrangements will be considered.
The above list of
responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to
undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within
the scope and grading of the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- Cleaning Training or Qualifications (e.g. BICS)
Experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of working in a laboratory
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Good communication skills, including the ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions
- Good Teamwork Skills, able to interact with a wide range of people, including technical staff and students
- Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
- Attention to detail
- Physically capable of cleaning, including more difficult to reach areas such as walls and ceilings.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- Cleaning Training or Qualifications (e.g. BICS)
Experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of working in a laboratory
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Good communication skills, including the ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions
- Good Teamwork Skills, able to interact with a wide range of people, including technical staff and students
- Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
- Attention to detail
- Physically capable of cleaning, including more difficult to reach areas such as walls and ceilings.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.