Microbiology Laboratory (Level 3) Apprentice - DePuy Synthes

Cogent Skills is working with DePuy Synthes to recruit a Microbiology Laboratory Apprentice to work at its manufacturing plant in Blackpool. This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a global medical device manufacturing company with great development opportunities.

Requirements

• GCSE in: minimum 5 including Maths, English and Science (grade Grade C / 4 or above)
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
• Working within a heavily regulated environment requires strict adherence to in-house protocols and HSE legislation, with a high degree of integrity and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• This role is physically demanding and requires strong focus and accuracy.
• Pro-active practical aptitude with problem solving skills and willingness to accept responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Carry out microbiological testing to ensure the ongoing quality of product
• Overall responsibility for assigned area (Bioburden, Environmental monitoring…)
• Interface with other departments to ensure timely release of products and materials
• Initiate laboratory investigations and non-conformance investigations
• Ensure the principles of cGMP are applied and that all documentation is followed to comply with ISO9000, ISO13485, FDA QSRs and the Medical device directive
• Complete Change assessments to ensure documents are updated in a timely manner
• Ensure that microbiological testing is performed in a timely manner
• Day to day performance:
  • Bioburden testing
  • Sterility testing
  • Antibiotic potency testing
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Enumeration and identification of contaminants
  • Management of consumables and materials used in testing
  • Autoclaving of items for the laboratory and production
  • Execution of the laboratory cleaning program
  • Review of sterilization documentation
  • Hazardous waste disposal
• Quality and Compliance Related Responsibilities:
  • Ensure that all activities are carried out in compliance with all regulations and laws governing business and quality operations
  • Staff: Responsible for ensuring compliance with all local, national, international and company regulations, policies and procedures for Health, Safety and Environmental compliance.
  • GMP documentation and Quality Systems
  • Support investigations to assist in the completion of Non-conformance reports and OOS excursions
  • Training
  • Ensure that own training records are up to date and complete
  • Assist in the training of other staff
  • Validation
  • Support the validation of test methods and equipment for the microbiology department
  • Support validation of processes for sterility assurance
  • External communications
  • Liaise with sterilization contractors and approved manufactures to ensure data is retrieved and available
  • Ensure that consumables are ordered in a timely manner to avoid testing delays

Benefits

• Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
• Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
• Great development opportunities
• Opportunities for progression within the company potentially to gain an engineering degree qualification.

About Cogent Skills As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.