Thomas Brooks

Supporting the biomedical scientists in the testing of various samples for diagnostic, treatment and monitoring purposes.My job involves carrying out the receipt, numbering, data entry, processing and preparation of specimens (urine, swabs, faeces, sputa and other body fluids and tissues) to aid the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease working within the main Microbiology and patient testing laboratories.

Other duties include:

• Assist in training of new or less experienced support staff and to act as their mentor.
• To rotate through assigned sections of the department as required.
• Adherence to SOP’s.
• Bench housekeeping and monitoring of certain equipment (e.g. fridges, freezers, incubators).
• Respond to telephone enquiries from staff in both primary and secondary care.
• Clerical duties as directed (filing, photocopying, labels etc.).
• Responsible for safe disposal of certain items of infectious waste, e.g. old samples and waste bins.
• Safe packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories, in accordance with legal requirements for transport of biohazardous samples.
• Conduct audits.

Based within the Molecular Diagnostics/Cytogenetics departments. Worked alongside the clinical scientists to support the testing and diagnosis of various malignancies and genetic mutations, including levels of gene expression and chromosomal abnormalities.

Overview of responsibilities:

• With reference to SOP to undertake a range of technical duties, including processing of patient samples for storage or extraction of DNA.
• Routine cleaning/maintenance of laboratory equipment and laboratory areas.
• Regular de-frosting and cleaning of laboratory fridges and freezers.
• Logging incubator and fridge/freezer temperatures throughout the laboratory areas.
• Collecting samples from pathology reception, sorting through samples and entering details of patient/sample on to the laboratory computer system in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Extraction, measurement and storage of DNA.
• To help in stock taking and ordering.
• Extraction of DNA, measurement of quality and aliquoting.
• Batch banding of slides and storage of DNA.
• Archiving of fixed preparations and slides.
• Preparation of reagents.
• Unpacking and putting away deliveries and some stock control responsibilities.

Responsible for the decontamination, checking, assembly, packing, sterilization and delivery of surgical instruments for the hospital.

• Collecting, receiving, checking and washing of all surgical instruments/medical devices from clinical areas.
• The checking and assembly of medical devices across the full range of surgical specialties using Departmental Standard Operating Procedures with speed and accuracy prior to sterilization.
• Work within the departmental quality management system ensuring accurate record keeping and written process is followed correctly.
• Visit the wards and departments to requisition and deliver sterile supplies and to cover, when necessary, the delivery of External customers packs.
• To store and rotate sterile packs in the Sterile Store to ensure rapid turnover.

A pharmaceutical company known as Labcorp (formally Covance), in a COVID-19 laboratory. Working within the diagnostic solutions department, I was responsible for the specimen receipt, handling, and storage of incoming samples.

Responsibilities:

Working within the diagnostic solutions department, I was responsible for the specimen receipt, handling, and storage of incoming samples. The process was split into several stages with training and competency tests undertaken at each stage.

Sample Extraction & Sample Preparation:

Preparing 96 well plates, aliquoting samples within biological safety cabinets.

Use of Kingfisher Flex machines - preparing plates for use in the Hamilton Microlab STAR machines for later use in PCR.

Qualitative detection of SARS-Cov-2 using the Thermofisher TaqPath COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR kit. Included preparation of Multiplex Mastermix (using dead air boxes) in a PCR clean room to be used with sample plates on the Hamilton.

In addition to the skills seen on my bioscience portfolio, I also gained experience in the following:

• Operation and maintenance of various machines and analysers
• Autoclave operation and maintenance
• General laboratory cleaning and maintenance, waste management
• Completion and record of SOPs

This role allowed me to gain experience in a professional laboratory environment, developing both my scientific and transferable skills.

This role was as a customer service assistant at a local establishment called George’s Tradition, a place I worked at for over five years.

Responsibilities:

My main role was working as a cashier serving customers which has allowed me to develop my confidence and social skills through dealing with customers and helping them when necessary.

The job involved multi-tasking as I had to constantly be checking stock, cleaning, preparing boxes for packaging and fulfilling waiting orders all while dealing with current orders. This has really allowed me to develop my time keeping skills.

Occasionally had to help with restaurant staff or food preparation which shows my versatility as a worker.

Responsible for training and watching over new staff. This required me to take a leadership position as well as action planning to help them meet the requirements of the job.

Working at this establishment for several years has greatly helped me practice my interpersonal skills by interacting with the team at work as well as the customers, while also demonstrating my commitment.

Working here has allowed me to gain experience in a fast-paced working environment and complete tasks efficiently and accurately.