Organisation: Department of Health, Path West
Job Title: Laboratory Technician
Location: Royal Perth Hospital
Diploma of Applied Laboratory Science or other equivalent qualification
I have successfully completed both a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (minor in Forensic Biology)
and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Molecular Biology, both at Murdoch
University in Perth, Western Australia.
Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory procedures as applied in Haematology
Throughout my significant university studies, I have developed skills and knowledge in a broad
range of procedures, including those required in Haematology laboratories. Haematology specific
procedures I have direct knowledge and experience with include:
– Blood typing: antibodies and antigens, including agglutination and precipitation reactions
– Purification of white cells from whole blood
– Differential staining of white cells in blood smears
– Media preparation and sterilisation techniques for mammalian tissue culture
– Sub-culturing and cryo-preserving cell lines (Method 1: Mr Frosty from Nalgene. Method 2:
vials are placed directly into -80 degrees Celsius with no insulation)
Through carrying out these procedures, I furthered my knowledge in complex methods, standard
operating procedures and techniques required in the haematology environment. By approaching
these tasks with a well thought out and concise stratagem in accordance with laboratory
procedures, I was able to successfully carry out the testing and produce written reports within the
expected timeframes with successful results.
Within my work experience at PathWest, I also advanced my knowledge of laboratory procedures
as applied in haematology, including Genotype Genetic haemochromatosis genotyping (HFE) using
TaqMan®. I understand the PathWest environment and the major emphasis ensuring the National
Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) quality standards are adhered to and complied
with at all times.
My general knowledge of Laboratory procedures is well-developed and I understand and commit
to ensuring procedures are followed. This is to ensure the smooth running of the facility, the
safety of staff and stakeholders, maximum productivity is maintained and to avoid wastage of
resources whilst undertaking laboratory work. To ensure these items are achieved, my
commitment and previous laboratory work history has demonstrated my ability to maintain a safe
and clear work bench, the wearing of appropriate safety apparatus including clothing, ensuring
standard operating procedures are met whilst using all equipment, reporting of incidents and
hazards or malfunctions, ensuring accurate labelling and storage of specimens, correct waste
disposal and maintenance of a duty of care for myself and others.
I have a strong understanding of the requirements within Haematological testing around patient
confidentiality and focus to ensure accuracy at all times, as well as the relationship which exists
between the sample being tested and the result. Paramount within a position such as this is an
understanding of quality control and assurance in all aspects of the role including sample
collection, preservation of samples, correct storage and correct labelling. I am confident in my
ability to perform at the level required in this role, including my knowledge of blood cell disorders, anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry and immunology as well as a range of blood cell
disorders and conditions. Demonstrated effective communication with internal and external clients, and good written and
verbal communication skills
I possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills which have been demonstrated
through my working and university lives, in both written and verbal formats. At ANZ as a Service
Consultant, my role entailed working with and servicing clients from a broad range of cultures and
backgrounds and with a diversity of English language skills and understanding. This required my
ability to adapt my communication style, dependant on my audience and contributed to my
success within this role. In addition, my strong listening, negotiation and clear and concise
communication techniques, ensure clients were properly informed and could go on to make the
correct decisions for their situations.
Similarly, as a Pharmacy Assistant for Bott’s Chemist, I used my listening and clear communication
skills to assist a wide diversity of people attain what they needed from the pharmacy. On one
occasion in this role, a recent arrival to Australia customer presented at the pharmacy was unable
to speak any English. After attempting to communicate with the customer, I realised that I needed
assistance and called a number of nearby chemists, until successfully locating one where the
pharmacist could translate for me on the customer’s behalf. Liaising with the pharmacist in this
way assisted in establishing a working relationship in order to cooperate on a matter of mutual
concern. I was able to recommend the correct healthcare for the customer, gain exact information
in regards to his situation, and provide the best achievable outcome. As a result of this situation,
the patient was extremely appreciative of the extra service and commitment that I provided,
particularly as I had not simply assumed that I knew what the patient needed.
During my experience at PathWest, I furthered my understanding of the importance of
communication within the laboratory environment, which is vital for a laboratory to run and
operate smoothly. For example, if you were to make a change to a particular methodology for a
particular test, it is imperative that you initial your name to show the change so your work can be
followed up, even in your absence. During my university studies, I have demonstrated this on
occasion, including signing instrument log books, accurately labelling and keeping electronic
records of my collection of results in my lab practicals.
My written skills have been successfully demonstrated through writing scientific reports on a
regular basis throughout my university studies. All of my units had a laboratory component and
also required a range of reports, papers and assignment work to be written up. In addition, during
my role at ANZ, I used written communication on a daily basis to communicate both internally and
externally with clients and customers. Through email and letters, I demonstrate professionalism
and a high standard of written skill, which communicates the message in a clear and concise
manner.
Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised and makes decisions within laboratory procedural
guidelines and protocols
My ability to work independently has been demonstrated through my involvement in and leading
of numerous projects which have included laboratory operations. I have a firm capacity to work
unsupervised and am accustomed to making decisions within laboratory procedural guidelines and
protocols. This has been demonstrated throughout my university studies, including a recent
hands-on third year laboratory project where the unit coordinator designated minimal supervision
to no supervision towards the class to enable us to be competent in the laboratory.
This particular project which gained extremely high marks and praise from my university was the
‘Capture of myo-inositol, succinate and glucose catabolic mutants of the Medicago microsymbiont
Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) medicae strain WSM419 by mTn5-mediated random mutagenesis’. Over
the course of this project alone, I spent over 50 hours in the laboratory with little or no supervision
and was not only given a high distinction, but also very nearly had the project published. The aim
of the project was to capture catabolic mutants of various carbon sources; myo-inositol, succinate
and glucose via bacterial conjugation. The conjugal transfer of NHR (Inc-P) RP4 with mob site
plasmid carrying transposase (tnpA) and mTn from E.coli was conjugally transferred into E.medicae
to introduce transcriptional fusion mutation to analyse transcriptional activity. Through this, the
identification of the potential genes inactivated based on phenotypic results via KEGG database
and comparisons with literature were made. The mutagen mTn5-GNm containing gusA: promoter-
less reporter gene that has ß-glucronidase product with substrate X-glc (indicator blue) was an
excellent tool in the assay of E.medicae carbohydrate metabolism. The result of this study showed
the importance of malic enzyme, PEPCK, malic synthase and malic dehydrogenase enzymes in
conditions where myo-inositol or succinate as a sole carbon source in E.medicae. Glucose as sole
carbon source did not have any independent mutants thus I made the decision that further study
is necessary in relation to the critical enzymes required when glucose is sole carbon source.
Working on the above project almost completely without supervision, I ensured methods,
guidelines and procedures were worked within and resulted in a high distinction grade.
Further decisions made in the laboratory during this and other projects have included deciding
whether samples are ready to use, or need longer in the incubation room or refrigeration,
including determining amount of bacterial growth and making decisions around the results of
experimentation, based on expectations and confirming unusual results by re-testing. One
example of basic decision making came in an experiment where I was recording elution times and
needed to record data from three trials. My timed results were 2 minutes, 2.2 minutes and 5
minutes. Given that 5 minutes was well outside of the others, I made the decision to re-perform
this test, to confirm the result and ensure it was correct. In addition, often I have used
interpolation in order to perform numerical analysis of new data through the construction of new
data points within the range of a discrete set of known data points. This method gives another
avenue to analyse data and sometimes forms the basis for decision making within the laboratory
environment.
Throughout the course of my studies, I have demonstrated an excellent understanding of the
importance and practical application of laboratory operations. These include aspects of quality
assurance and a safe working environment as well as the importance of following guidelines and
ensuring resources are used efficiently. My attached resume outlines my breadth of skills in a
range of scientific areas which further outlines my explicit skills and laboratory techniques.
Demonstrated understanding of laboratory safety and of quality systems
I possess a firm understanding of laboratory safety and of quality systems, developed throughout
my university studies. My understanding extends to the importance of quality assurance in
meeting particular quality standards in delivering quality services to patients, including making
sure to not breach NATA standards and to work in a way where your work can be tracked and
picked up by other staff. For example, in making a change to a particular method, you would make
sure you initial that change so your work can be tracked.
Some of the basic safety activities I routinely undertake when working in the laboratory include:
– Always wear a lab coat and appropriate protective equipment and clothing
– Ensure the correct bins are used for all waste including sharp waste, tissues and pipette
bins
– Ensure my hair is tied back to avoid contamination
– Maintain my work bench so it is free of clutter
– Maintain a duty of care for me and my colleagues
– Maintain a clean and sterile environment where orderly work can be performed
– Ensure equipment is positioned to avoid result errors due to outside impacts such as
sunlight
– Ensure equipment is positioned for safe use and height for staff
– Ensure all syringes or pipettes are working properly by testing before using
I understand that the Path West Royal Perth Hospital facility is accredited and complies with the
requirements of ISO 15189:2007, including a broad range of areas haematological areas including
blood counts, visual examination of blood films, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, automated
differential leucocyte counts, automated reticulocyte counts, blood film examinations involving
special staining procedures and examination for malarial parasite including thick and thin film
examination. Along with a range of other quality areas, I am looking forward to applying my skills,
experience and knowledge in this broad range of haematological laboratory tests.
I am of the understanding that all laboratory operations must comply with Occupational Health
and Safety and environmental management requirements, which comply with State or Federal
legislation. There are clear standard precautions due to the potentially hazardous nature of
samples as well as infection control as issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council
(NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health. Within both the laboratory and hospital
environments, there are a number of areas which need to be considered and worked within,
including cleaning and hygiene requirements, incident and injury reporting, quality systems and
continued improvement of processes, specific safety requirements of different equipment,
sampling and testing procedures including labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal
and work flow and laboratory layouts to maximise a safe working environment. As mentioned
earlier, correct waste disposal is an area where I am vigilant and during my university studies have
actively encouraged others to follow suit.
Ability to use laboratory computer systems and common software
During my time at university conducting experiments or writing up detailed laboratory reports, I
consistently making use of laboratory computer systems and common software, for example, my
use of instruments such as the gas chromatograph within the laboratory. I regularly set up the
instruments integrator operating settings, requiring both numbers and letters to be inputted into
the software system. Afterwards I implemented the generated data into professionally written
and well-argued logical laboratory reports using computer software such as Microsoft Word and
Excel. This experience clearly demonstrates that I am capable of performing experiments with
accuracy and efficiently and with ease, attaining sound results.
Having carried out work experience at PathWest, I was given the privilege to gain valuable hands-
on experience with laboratory computer systems and common software used at the diagnostic
genomics department, including KaryoStudio software and ALAMUT software.
I have a strong and proven ability to use laboratory computer systems and common software to
make entries on report forms or into computer systems, accurately calculating, recording or
transcribing required data as required; update instrument maintenance logs as required by
accreditation checklists and maintain security and confidentiality of all clinical information,
laboratory data and records.
Common software such as MS Word and Excel has been a staple throughout my studies and I have
advanced skills in these software systems. MS Word is typically used to write up scientific reports,
inclusive of complex formulae, formatting, tables and importing of charts, graphs and results. My
skills in Excel have been used to record experiment results, ensuring they are calculated and
charted accurately, as well as forming a basic record which can be referred to ongoing. I have the
ability to use myriad functions within excel to attain statistical results and analysis of results.
As a measure of my general laboratory equipment skills, including software and hardware, I have
undertaken numerous practicals focusing on modern instrumental methods used for chemical
analysis. Just some examples of instruments and techniques I have used include:
– Anodic stripping volumetry (ASV) using 757 VA Computertrace software
– Blood typing and purification of white cells from whole blood
– Differential staining of white cells in blood smears
– Media preparation and sterilisation techniques for mammalian tissue culture
– Sub-culturing and cryo-preserving cell lines
– Analysis of soil sample contaminated with toxic compounds using Shimadzu GCMS-
QP2010S
– Assessment and confirmation of suspected poison in a beer sample using Perkin Elmer
Fourier transformation infra-red FTIR with a diffuse reflectance accessory
– Assessment of the amount of suspected poison present in the given beer sample using
Agilent 8453 UV-VIS Spectrometer
– ELISA screening of Hepatitis ‘B’ vaccines using Immunoassay
– Testing of wine samples for possible poisoning or the presence of any other potential toxic
substance using Shimadzu GC-17A
DESIRABLE
Current practical experience in a Haematology Laboratory
Whilst I do not have current practical experience in a haematology laboratory, I have completed
practicals at university that may be relevant and/ or equivalent, including:
Blood typing: antibodies and antigens – agglutination and precipitation reactions
Purification of white cells from whole blood
Differential staining of white cells in blood smears
– prepared blood smears
– prepared a differential blood stain using Diff Quik
– viewed blood smears
– whole blood count
– count of lymphocytes prepared by lympho-paque separation
Media preparation and sterilisation techniques for mammalian tissue culture
– prepared RPMI 1640 media to the instructions given
Sub culturing and cryo-preserving cell lines
Additionally my knowledge of laboratory procedures as applied in haematology has been
furthered through my work experience at PathWest, including HFE Genotyope Genetic
haemochromatosis genotyping (HFE) using TaqMan®.
Current knowledge and commitment to Equal Opportunity and Occupational Health and Safety
in all aspects of employment and service delivery
My understanding of the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct is the importance of
ethical, honest, and proactive promotion of the APS Values. As a former banking professional I
have been privy to a great deal of personal and confidential information and so have a very acute
understanding of the importance of confidentiality and respect. I am mindful of precepts such as
equal opportunity, workplace diversity, ensuring staff are aware of their rights and responsibilities,
including participating in a harassment free workplace, and ensuring ethics and integrity are
maintained at all times. This includes adherence with the Privacy Act and associated
confidentiality.
As stated in criteria five above, I have an excellent understanding of safety within a laboratory
environment, stemming from my experience and unsupervised work in this environment during
my university studies and my exposure to the Path West laboratories. In addition to safety, my
work experience at the diagnostic genomics department at PathWest has reinforced the
importance of confidentiality and integrity such as not disclosing results to patients or doctors
unless you have the authority and permission to do so. Patients who have positive results will
require genetic counselling prior to the release of the results thus it is not appropriate to disclose
confidential matters over the phone. I am aware of ensuring the requesting doctor is consulted
before release of the results report, including asking for their practitioner ID number. In addition,
particular conditions require a higher level of confidentiality such as patients inflicted with HIV or
Huntington's disease, thus if a doctor asks to send the results by fax make sure that the doctor
remains by the fax and on the phone to you while faxing through the results.
