What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Analyst position at Midwest Laboratories?
Description
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Technical Analyst, under the direction of the Sr Technical Director, will be responsible for participating in method reviews that result from specific lab activities such as yearly initiatives, PT performance, QC performance, and client inquires, etc. Additionally, the Technical Analyst will aid the method development in the process for reviewing and overseeing continued improvement to existing and new methods to enhance throughput, reliability, robustness, productivity, and efficiency through method development activities. A Technical Analyst must have a good working knowledge of their associated laboratory, be able to operate and maintain a large variety of routine laboratory equipment, collaborate, and communicate effectively with multiple teams, follow methods and lab procedures, and work within the company’s processes of analyzing and modifying analysis methods.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- Have advanced knowledge and experience with a variety of lab techniques and understand the fundamentals of different types of instrumentation within the associated laboratory.
- Review current and existing methods in order to provide suggestions for improvement and additional accuracy
- Help determine the best possible techniques via collaborative discussions with method development, lab supervisors, Technical Director, and other colleagues, as well as researching and understanding literature.
- Conduct regular research to assess current validation levels of methods and work with method development under technical direction to design validation criteria for methods and processes where validation is lacking and raise up for discussion.
- On occasion, assist and provide laboratory support for said validation activities.
- Conduct weekly review of departments CAPA’s, OOS, complaints and other QMS documentation to determine suggestions for improvement and additional accuracy.
- Conduct monthly reviews and statistical analysis of PT performance.
- Conduct yearly reviews of any compendial methods in use and review that TNI references are the most up to date version of acceptance.
- Assist with systems maintenance and troubleshooting, as needed
- Improve existing methodologies based on assignment from Sr. Technical Director. Mainly focusing on, but not limited to, data accuracy/precision, improvements in detection limits/sensitivity, sample prep development, and efficiency/productivity enhancements.
- Make statistical assessments and be willing to work with statistical software to assess results.
- Assist method development and lab supervisors in providing educational opportunities for analysts pertaining to day-to-day laboratory techniques
- Report all results and suggestions to both the supervisor and method development specialist for consideration and evaluation.
- Collaborate across the organization and seek the guidance of the Sr Technical Director.
- Provide support to method development activities at the discretion of the Sr. Technical Director
- Seek out new technologies to improve/enhance processes, which may also include attending national/local conferences
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in scientific discipline
- ISO 17025 training preferred, but will be required within the next year if missing
Knowledge & Skills:
- Advanced laboratory skills and technical knowledge
- Advanced data analysis skills
- Strong statistical skills
- Strong ability to troubleshoot holistically
- Advanced ability to teach and train laboratory personnel
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to interact and work effectively with people at all levels of the organization
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong ability to ask questions and challenge appropriately
- Strong analytical judgment, problem solving, accuracy, and detail-oriented skills
- High level of proficiency with PC based software programs
- Service-oriented attitude
- Self-motivated
- Able to create and maintain focus on prioritizing key objectives
- High level of integrity
Experience:
- Midwest Laboratories Level 3 laboratory experience with strong proficiency in understanding standard operating procedures and methods (3-5 years) preferred
- External hires must have comparable lab experience.
- Experience in methods development, validation, verification, and best practices according to ISO 17025 and TNI specifications preferred but can also be substituted with relevant laboratory experience.
Physical Requirements:
- Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment
- Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the phone and in group setting
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time as necessary in the laboratory (4 or more hours)
- Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 15 pounds
- Physical dexterity sufficient to move body frequently around laboratory equipment and instrumentation
- Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time (4 or more hours)
- Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgement and decisions
The essential physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
