Purpose

The Laboratory Technician will be responsible for the following:

• Ensures accurate and timeous completion of prescribed analytical protocols (SOPs) and accompanying administrative duties.
• Analysis of pesticide residues in fresh produce using the QuEChERS extraction technique
• Optimise the use of the equipment in the preparative section of the laboratory.
• Ensure efficient service delivery to customers.
• Self-Management.
• Minimise financial Risks.
• Implementation of QMS (ISO 17025).
• Management of critical consumables.

Requirements

• Minimum qualification of a National Diploma Analytical Chemistry or related field.
• At least 1-year relevant experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited facility.
• Preparation of chemicals, solutions, and standards.
• Sample extraction processes.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of chromatographic instrumentation.
• Adherence to good laboratory practice.

Skills & Competencies

Knowledge required:

• knowledge of ISO 17025 implementation and improvement,
• Implementation of the LIMS for traceability (added advantage)
• Technical processes of Pesticides residues testing in various matrices.
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Laboratory Health and Safety principles

Skills required:

• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills 
• Sound technical record keeping techniques.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Propensity to pay attention to detail.
• Computer literate – MS Outlook, Word & Excel.

Responsibilities

Method Validation:

• Assist Laboratory Analysts with method development and validation.
• Ensure that any changes are made to the methods if necessary.
• Ensure equipment maintenance and calibration.
• Participate in proficiency testing.

Quality Control:

• Performs Internal verification of Equipment.
• Ensures that the accommodation and environmental conditions of the lab are controlled and recorded accordingly.
• Checking quality and suitability of chemicals.
• Recording quality controls

Technical processes - implementation:

• Sample registration on LIMS.
• Extraction of routine samples – fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, nuts etc.
• Weighing, homogenising, mixing, and filtering.
• Equipment verification (balances, volumetric flasks, pipettes).
• Pesticide analyses
• Preparation of reference standards (weighing, mixing filtering).
• Preparation of daily solvents and standards.
• Participation in proficiency testing schemes.
• Instrumentation set-up and sample analysis.

Meetings:

• Participate in laboratory staff meetings.

Implementation of QMS (ISO 17025):

• Implement standard QMS protocols.
• Consistent and correct application of analytical methods.
• Compliance to statutory requirements.
• Records all non-conformances observed for further investigation.

Communication, Advising and Reporting:

• Comment and report timely on irregularities.
• Effective communication and reporting that leads to improved internal relationships and decisions.
• Ensures that all test results comply with the documented quality control criteria.

Ref No

• 573