Assistant / Associate Biochemist

QC Biochemistry Tissue Culture Assitantant / Associate Biochemist

Grifols has been a leader in the healthcare industry since 1909 by creating innovative products and services based on the values of ethics, quality and responsibility. Grifols' activities focus on fulfilling the needs of its patients as well as healthcare professionals working in therapeutics, pharmacy, diagnostics and blood banking. For more than 100 years, Grifols has developed, manufactured, and marketed product designed to improve human health. Grifols manufactures plasma derived biopharmaceutical products of proven efficacy, quality and safety. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.grifols.com .

Shift: 1st Shift; M-F

Location: Clayton, NC

Note: This position requires the individual to prove they are immunized against each virus listed in job decription or they will have to get immunized by through the Grifols Health Services.  

Requirements by level: 

Assistant Biochemist 

Summary:

Performs biological testing of moderate to advanced complexity within the QC Biochemistry tissue culture area and will require working with measles, polio, rabies virus and diphtheria toxi.  You will be working in a safe, accurate, and efficient manner following established written procedures while maintaining complete and accurate records of the work and results. This testing is required for the release of raw materials, in-process materials, and final containers.

Primary Responsibilities for Role:

• Conducts various routine and non-routine biological testing (assays) according to procedure.
• Follows the requirements of Grifols' Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Maintains complete and accurate records of work performed and test results. 
• Calibrates equipment and performs equipment maintenance.
• Performs non-routine duties, housekeeping duties, etc. as assigned.
• Helps maintain an inspection ready lab at all times.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attends required GMP and Safety training courses. 
• Demonstrates good work ethics and maintains acceptable attendance.
• Learns and develops multitasking skills and good time management.
• Conducts all work with a focus on safety, quality, and timely throughout.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The Assistant Biochemist is expected to recognize "abnormal" results and to perform some preliminary evaluation of her/his performance of the test procedure. The Assistant Biochemist consults with Associate Biochemist and/or the Laboratory Supervisor on significant problems. The solutions to such problems are always within the confines of the test procedures.  All of the test results of an Assistant Biochemist are reviewed by either the Lab Supervisor or a designated Associate Biochemist for "reasonableness" and conformance to the required limit(s). No unexpected test result generated by an Assistant Biochemist is accepted without an independent confirmation (normally by an Associate Biochemist) and review of the results by the Lab Supervisor.  While this is an entry-level position, the Assistant Biochemist is expected to progress to a performance level requiring less direct supervision (either by the Laboratory Supervisor or the assigned Associate Biochemist trainer). The Assistant Biochemist has a variety of weekly / monthly assignments (e.g.: preparation of solutions, housekeeping, etc.) that they are expected to accomplish without specific direction to do so. An Assistant Biochemist participates in Quality Control studies (blind testing series, validation protocols, precision and accuracy studies) of tests for which they are trained. 

Education:

An Associate's Degree in a life science field, medical technology, or related curriculum and a minimum of six months of applicable laboratory experience or a BS/BA degree in a life science field, medical technology, or related curriculum is required.   

Experience:

Experience performing manual assays with various types of micro-pipettors and/or using automated instruments. The candidate should have experience making buffers, using purchased reagents and test kits. The candidate should have experience with at least one of the following types of assays: chromogenic assays, clotting assays, ELISA assays, flow cytometry, blood banking, or tissue culture.

Equivalency:

Depending on the are of assignment, directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience and/or competencies may be considered in place of the stated requirements

Associate Biochemist

Summary:

Performs biological testing of moderate to advanced complexity within the Quality Operations Laboratories in a safe, accurate, and efficient manner following established written procedures keeping complete and accurate records of the work and results.  This testing is required for the release of raw materials, in process materials, and final containers.

Primary Responsibilities for Role:

• Coordinates laboratory activities in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor.
• Trains Assistant Biochemists and other Associate Biochemists in areas of this Associates Biochemist's knowledge, experience and expertise.
• Performs assigned testing in an accurate and efficient manner.  Keeps complete and accurate records of the work performed and results.
• Learns and follows the methods and the techniques of the biological test to be performed.  This learning is a continuation of learning that occurred as Assistant Biochemist.
• Follows the requirement of Grifols, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Attends all required GMP and Safety training. Reports quality and safety near hits.
• Calibrates equipment and performs equipment maintenance as assigned.
• Participates in special projects such as standard and control preparations, method validations, comparison studies, etc.
• Trains other biochemists.
• Conducts all work with a focus on safety, quality, and timely throughout.

Additional Responsibilities:

Depending on the area of assignment, additional responsibilities will include testing raw materials, or in-process or final product samples and utilizing test methods that are specific to the assigned laboratory.  Will operate and maintain analytical equipment. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

In addition, the Associate Biochemist is expected to have benefited from the two or more years of directly applicable experience as an Assistant Biochemist. The Associate Biochemist position requires somewhat greater than time/work management skills than the Assistant Biochemist position because the incumbent us expected to complete work assignments accurately and efficiently in a generally autonomous fashion.  The Associate Biochemist requires more than basic verbal and written communication skills because the incumbent will be required to communicate test results, assay problems, and equipment problems to others outside of the lab (and outside of the company).  The Associate Biochemist will also be involved in the development and revision of laboratory procedures. The Associate Biochemist  is expected to maintain a professional relationship with peers, to be a effective member of the lab "team" working toward common goals, and to work well in a situation in which most equipment necessary to complete one's daily assignment is also used by others.  The Associate Biochemist requires more than basic human relations skills because they may be required to coordinate the laboratory's activities in the absence of the supervisor and/or team leader.

Education:

The Associate Biochemist position is normally a progression from the Assistant Biochemist position in the Quality Control Biochemistry Lab.  Therefore, the Associate Biochemist position also requires knowledge equivalent to a minimum of two years of college level biology courses or Medical Technology courses (one year of general biology course(s) with associated laboratory work, and one year of microbiology course(s) with associated laboratory work).  While the content of the course work specified above is generally applicable to the Assistant Biochemist position, the associated laboratory experience is more specifically applicable to the position's work assignments.

Experience:

Two years of experience working with chromognic assays, ELISA assays, flow cytometer, blood banking, and tissue culture or equivalent is required.  (Two years' experience performing manual assays with various types of micropipettors and/or using automated instruments. The candidate should have two years' experience making buffers, using purchased reagents and test kits. The candidate should have two years experience with at least one of the following types of assays: chromogenic assays, clotting assays, ELISA assays, flow cytometry, blood banking, or tissue culture.)

 Equivalency:

Depending on the are of assignment, directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience and/or competencies may be considered in place of the stated requirements

Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment. Frequently sits for 6-8 hours per day. Frequent hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists. Occasionally walks. Occasionally bends and twists neck. Light to moderate lifting and carrying objects with a maximum lift of 25lbs. Frequently drives to site locations with occasional travel within the United States. Able to communicate complex information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Works independently with little guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions and plans work schedules to meet goals. Frequently interacts with others, relates sensitive information to diverse groups. Must work with diverse groups to obtain consensus on issues. Ability to apply abstract principles to solve complex conceptual issues.

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