Rmit Position Description

Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee)

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must include:

– a covering letter outlining your interest in the position – a statement of your suitability against each of the Key Selection Criteria – your current curriculum vitae containing names, postal addresses, telephone numbers and where available, e-mail addresses and facsimile numbers of three referees who will provide references when required, and – a completed Job Application Sheet.

Your application should also include the following details:

– Educational, professional and other relevant qualifications

– Relevant work experience

– If successful, period of notice required to join

– Details of service with other educational institutions, public authorities and military service where applicable

RMIT’s Vocational Education and Training Sector (TAFE Sector) cannot employ persons who have within the last three years received a Voluntary Departure Package from any Victorian Public Sector Department or Government Agency.

The University also has restrictions relating to the re-employment of ex-staff members who had left RMIT with Voluntary Departure Packages, redundancy or negotiated separation packages. The nature of the restrictions depends on individual cases.

Do not send valuable original documents or exhibits with your application, as articles may be lost in transit.

Written applications quoting the relevant reference number should be addressed to:

RMIT University OR emailed to [email protected] Faculty of Life Sciences Department of Health & Biosciences Attn: Wendy Brakey GPO Box 2476V Melbourne 3001

Please endorse the envelope "APPLICATION - CONFIDENTIAL"

JOB APPLICATION SHEET Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee)

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL DETAILS LISTED BELOW AND EMAIL THIS SHEET WITH APPLICATION TO [email protected] or post to the address below.

Reference No

Position Title

Family Name Title

Given Name(s)

Home Address

Postcode State

Email Address

Telephone Home Work

Citizenship

Resident Status if not Australian

APPLICATIONS ADDRESSED TO

RMIT University or email to [email protected] Ms Wendy Brakey Department of Health & Biosciences GPO Box 2476V Melbourne 3001

FOR PEOPLE SERVICES USE ONLY

HR system updated and acknowledgement sent

Date Initial Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee)

1 Position Summary Position Title: Laboratory Assistant (Trainee) Certificate III in Laboratory Skills – Traineeship Position Number: Time Fraction: 1.0 EFT Tenure Status: 18 month contract Classification: National Training Award Salary: As determined by the National Training Wage Faculty: Life Sciences Department: Health and Biosciences Background Information: General information on the Faculty of Life Sciences is available on the Faculty’s web page: www.life.rmit.edu.au Campus Location: Based at the City campus but may be required to work at other campuses of the University

2 The University RMIT University is a multi-level dual sector education, training and research service organisation, offering programs ranging from certificate level vocational programs through tailored programs for industry and community clients, to post-graduate research programs. The University has several companies that are responsible for commercial activities relating to the University’s core functions. The University’s goal is to create and sustain a distinctive world-class university at the forefront of technical and professional education and real-world research, through continuous improvement and with all staff committed to quality management processes. As a world-class university, RMIT will be recognised as a leader in its teaching and learning processes, research activities and community services. For further information see: www.rmit.edu.au

3. The Faculty The Faculty of Life Sciences has one department located on the City Campus and all of its other organisational units located on the Bundoora West Campus of RMIT. The units located at Bundoora are:  Department of Biotechnology & Environmental Biology  Department of Complementary Medicine  Department of Nursing & Midwifery  School of Medical Sciences  Faculty Centre  Industry Training and Consultancy Unit The City Campus department is:  Department of Health & Biosciences

The Faculty provides a comprehensive range of TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate programs in biomedical, plant, environmental and health sciences and nursing. In keeping with the traditions of RMIT, these programs give particular emphasis to practical and vocational applications of the skills and knowledge taught. Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee) The commercial activities of the Faculty are coordinated by the Industry Training and Consultancy Unit. Among the Unit’s activities are the running of short courses and tendered projects, and customising training programs for industry, both on and offshore. The Faculty is continuing to develop and expand its already extensive research activities, which are of high quality and the outcomes of which benefit the community. Research is concentrated within areas relevant to environmental management, biotechnology, maintenance of health and prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of disease. The increased skills and knowledge gained through research flow directly to the undergraduate programs. The Faculty offers programs locally, in regional Victoria, nationally and internationally.

3 The Department of Health and Biosciences The Department operates in an environment which is characterised by: reduction of Government funding as a proportion of total finance required; increased competition in the provision of training services; increasingly complex training requirements on the part of industry; and changing agendas for the training industry on the part of Governments. In view of this environment the Department is expanding its commercial and international activities to offset the reduction of Government funding, as well as continuing to effectively provide Government funded accredited courses. To attain a position of leadership in this environment, the Department must continue to develop products and services to enable it to gain suitable market shares locally, nationally and internationally. The activities of the Department can be broadly classified into the discipline areas of:  Biosciences  Complementary therapies  Dental auxiliary services  Nursing and allied health services The Department’s accredited programs are:  Advanced Diploma in Health (Myotherapy)  Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics  Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)  Diploma of Applied Science (Biotechnology)  Diploma of Clinical Neurophysiology  Diploma of Dental Health Work (Dental Technology)  Certificate IV in Health (Nursing)  Certificate IV in Dental Technology  Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing  Certificate IV in Pathology Collection  Certificate III in Dental Assisting Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee)

The Department offers programs/courses using the facilities of both the City and Bundoora West campuses of RMIT. Through joint venture agreements, some classes are held at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. Flexible learning strategies underpin the Department’s delivery of education and training to meet the needs of local, national and international students. Commercial activity and a focus on customised, workplace based training to meet the needs of industry are priority areas for the Department.

4. Job Summary Under direction of the Technical Officer, perform technical skills and associated laboratory maintenance and office tasks required to facilitate the effective and efficient performance of the Department’s programs. During the period of the traineeship, the appointee will be required to demonstrate the following 12 units of competence identified for laboratory assistants:  Communicate with other people  Process and record data  Maintain the laboratory fit for purpose  Work safely in accordance with defined policies and procedures  Follow established work plan  Contribute to the achievement of quality objectives  Work efficiently as part of a team  Calibrate test equipment and assist with its maintenance  Perform basic tests  Prepare working solutions  Prepare culture media  Perform aseptic technique

5. Reporting Relationships The appointee will be responsible to the Department Administration Officer with day-to- day responsibility to the Technical Officer.

6. Position Accountabilities

6.1 Specific Accountabilities

6.1.1 Collect and/or prepare class materials (including solutions, stains and media) instruments and equipment for practical classes and contribute to short term planning of classes

6.1.2 Prepare classrooms, laboratories and clinical facilities for student classes

6.1.3 Assist with the maintenance of classroom, laboratory and clinical facilities, instruments, equipment and materials Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee) 6.1.4 Monitor and maintain stocks of instruments, equipment and materials for class application

6.1.5 Participate in field trips to collect materials as necessary

6.1.6 Provision of support and maintenance of department Clinical teaching environments

6.1.7 Contribute to the maintenance of laboratory/classroom/clinic safety and security

6.1.8 Provision of audio visual equipment to classrooms and laboratories

6.1.9 Provide technical assistance to students on projects and practical work

6.1.10 Tidy up after practical classes

6.1.11 Implement Equal Opportunity (including Equal Employment Opportunity) and Occupational Health and Safety (including cross-infection control) policies, principles and procedures in the conduct of work.

Corporate Accountabilities 6.12 Contribute in a proactive and constructive manner to Departmental staff meetings and planning forums 6.13 To contribute to the strategic direction setting and policy making processes of the University, Faculty and Department by participating in forums and undertaking specific project/tasks.

Personal Development 6.14 To assume joint responsibility for career development by actively participating in various activities and producing a jointly agreed development plan identifying key areas which will assist in your personal and professional development. 6.15 Undertake combined structured on-the-job and off-the-job training program. The training component will be based on an industry developed training package involving learning units based on available industry competency standards.

7. Qualifications It is expected that the appointee will have, as a minimum successfully completed studies in biology and/or chemistry to year 11 level. Applicants without this background may be directed to bridging and/or supplementary programs to assist them in gaining this background knowledge. After successful completion of training through practical learning experience on the job, off the job, or a combination of on and off the job training the trainee will obtain a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills. Position Description – Laboratory Assistant (Trainee)

8. Key Selection Criteria 8.1 Experience / Knowledge 8.1.1 A good knowledge of basic Biology and/or Chemistry. 8.2 Skills and Abilities 8.2.1 Ability to work effectively as a team member. 8.2.2 Ability to cope with a variety of tasks in a high-pressure environment. 8.2.3 Demonstrated ability to show initiative and to work at times without direct supervision 8.2.4 Demonstrated ability to be able to organise and prioritise the workload to ensure timely completion and produce quality outcomes 8.3 Personal Qualities 8.3.1 The incumbent should have good interpersonal and written communication skills. 8.3.2 Ability to be flexible and willing to take on new challenges.

9. Relevant Information The appointee, if over 18 years of age, must sign a training agreement, if under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must sign on the appointee’s behalf. These agreements set out the training and supervision an employer must provide for the trainee, as well as the obligations as an employee under this program.