KSBs

Knowledge

K1: The quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace. Back to Duty

K2: How to safely store and handle data in line with national and international data protection and cyber security regulations that apply to the role and employer processes. Back to Duty

K3: How to apply statistical techniques for data processing and presentation. e.g calculation of median, standard deviation, produce graphs Back to Duty

K4: How to recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions. Back to Duty

K5: The business environment in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice and codes of conduct. Back to Duty

K6: The foundations of health and safety including responsibility for health and safety under Health & Safety at Work Act(HASWA) Back to Duty

K7: Risk assessment & control including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessments (COSHH) and Safety Data Sheets Back to Duty

K8: Safe manual handling procedures including Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Back to Duty

K9: Hazardous area classification & Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) rand how they apply within area of responsibility Back to Duty

K10: Site and local safety (including fire and electrical), first aid and emergency management systems and procedures. Back to Duty

K11: Laboratory health and safety and compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical requirements including the management and control of laboratory waste and the handling and disposal of chemical substances Back to Duty

K12: How to order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required Back to Duty

K13: How to apply the concepts of resource efficiency to energy, water and waste in the workplace. Back to Duty

K14: Internal regulations pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate (eg. Good Laboratory Practice(GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Documentation Practice (GDP)) Back to Duty

K15: The external regulatory requirements pertinent to the sponsoring company & relative specialism in which they operate e.g. Medicines & Healthcare Regulation Authority (MHRA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) Back to Duty

K16: The reason for laboratory investigations including out of specification results Back to Duty

K17: Error reporting and correction techniques e.g. for traceability Back to Duty

K18: The principles of Laboratory Information Management systems (digital or paper based) Back to Duty

K19: The principles of root cause analysis Back to Duty

K20: The key principles of continuous improvement and how workplace organisation techniques can be applied to improve workflow. Back to Duty

K21: Theoretical knowledge of named / recognised scientific subject appropriate to the workplace and sector e.g. such as found in the dental, pharmacology sectors. Back to Duty

K22: Scientific equipment management including maintenance e.g. cleaning, calibration, recognising equipment faults and when to escalate. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures. Back to Duty

S2: Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures Back to Duty

S3: Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required Back to Duty

S4: Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste Back to Duty

S5: Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP Back to Duty

S6: Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques Back to Duty

S7: Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment Back to Duty

S8: Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required Back to Duty

S9: Complete documentation proficiently Back to Duty

S10: Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results Back to Duty

S11: Contribute to the preparation of reports. Back to Duty

S12: Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs Back to Duty

S13: Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error Back to Duty

S14: Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite Back to Duty

S15: Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work Back to Duty

S16: Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas Back to Duty

S17: Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions Back to Duty

S18: Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing. Back to Duty

S19: Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Effective communication using a range of skills Back to Duty

B2: Effective teamwork Back to Duty

B3: Ability to work independently and take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks in compliance with quality and safety standards, challenging unsafe working practices where appropriate. Back to Duty

B4: An understanding of impact of their work on others, especially where related to diversity and equality Back to Duty

B5: Time management and ability to complete work to agreed schedule Back to Duty

B6: Ability to adapt to change Back to Duty

B7: Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Accountability of own development needs, undertaking CPD. Back to Duty

B8: Demonstrate reliability, integrity & respect for confidentiality on work related & personal matters Back to Duty

Qualifications

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

• The Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics have worked together with the Science Council to publish learning guides intended to further enhance career prospects and support the professional standards they have a duty to uphold within their Royal Charters. It is their belief that by following the learning guides, or a qualification that covers the learning outcomes they contain, an apprentice will have an enriched experience. While professional recognition by these organisations and professional body membership is not a formal requirement for practising as a Laboratory Technician, training providers, employers and apprentices may wish to have regard to this information and the opportunities that professional registration can confer when considering the design of individual apprenticeship programmes and occupational development. The contact details for these professional bodies and the knowledge information can be found here: membership@rsb.org.uk membership@iop.org registers@rsc.org for Registered Science Technician

Additional details

Occupational Level:

3

Duration (months):

24

Review

This apprenticeship standard will be reviewed after three years