Position Title Microbiologist Position Number FM1829 Unit / Branch Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria Classification/VPS Grade VPS 3 Employment Status Ongoing Position reports to Senior Microbiologist CONTEXT The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) is a statutory authority established by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 1985. It is part of the Justice portfolio and reports through the Strategic Policy and Legislation Division of the Department of Justice. The Director of the Institute holds the Chair of the Forensic Medicine at Monash University and the Institute also operates as the Department of Forensic Medicine at Monash University. The institute is a medical and scientific organisation that performs specialist investigation for the justice system including the police. In particular we: Undertake death investigations including autopsies for the Coroner and Victorian Police. Carry out medical assessments of alleged victims of crime and alleged perpetrators. Undertake teaching and research in the field of forensic medicine and pathology. Operate the donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, providing tissues such as bone, skin and heart valves for transplantation to patients in Victoria. The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria has been established by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to provide a central facility for the acquisition, processing, storage, and distribution of tissue for transplantation. The Microbiology Laboratory is responsible for the serology testing and microbiology testing on all donor samples, as well as providing services to the Pathology department of the VIFM. The DTBV is a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) licensed facility, and the microbiology laboratory is accredited by NATA for medical testing and TGA for virology screening and product microbiology contamination testing. The Bank is subject to regular audits by the Quality Management section of the Institute as well as the TGA and NATA. Microbiology staff are required to be fully conversant with the requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines, the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice Human Blood and Tissues and NATA requirements. The DTBV annual business plan is incorporated in VIFM s. This plan defines specific strategic directions, development projects and key performance indicators and is contributed to by all staff. Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.3 AUTHORISED COPY OF FORM 1 P a g e
KEY ACCOUNTIBILITIES 1. Receipt, preparing and testing specimens submitted for microbiological and serological testing for infectious agents. Liaising with 3 rd parties for testing not undertaken in house. 2. Ensuring quality control in the performance of tests including participation in Quality Assurance programs. 3. Correlating, validating and interpreting results as well as reporting and issuing these results after they have been analysed. 4. Demonstrating individual professional development and compliance with the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice Human Blood and Tissues. 5. Maintaining up to date and accurate documentation and records. 6. Ensure the policies and technical procedures used in the Microbiology Laboratory meet minimum requirements set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration guidelines and the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice Human Blood and Tissues and NATA; this includes meeting relevant ISO certification standards and compliance with relevant occupational health and safety regulations. 7. Undertake special projects and research activities at the Institute under the supervision of the Senior Microbiologist. 8. Undertaking the maintenance, calibration and validation of equipment and stock as well as undertaking quality control of reagents and test procedures. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA Technical Expertise Demonstrated ability to gain personal and professional credibility in the workplace, demonstrating professional accountability as a microbiologist. Knowledge & Skills Proven ability to adhere to set guidelines and work instructions. Demonstrated ability to prepare accurate reports, collated data and correspondence. Basic knowledge and practical experience acquired over time in a microbiology laboratory, preferably undertaking clinical practice. Demonstrated experience with using Microsoft Word, Excel and/or Powerpoint and the Internet Preferably knowledge and previous experience in an environment following the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice or similar Demonstrate sufficient technical knowledge and skills to effectively perform the required duties. Demonstrated ability to gather and interpret information via observation and research and to relay this information in a clear and concise manner Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.3 AUTHORISED COPY OF FORM 2 P a g e
to different audiences. Personal Qualities Others Qualification Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge and previous experience in an industry following NATA and/or the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice or similar. Firm commitment to the value of organ and tissue donation Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to work as an effective team member. Demonstrated ability to plan work activities, coordinate a variety of tasks and meet targets whilst managing a variable workload often under intense pressure and within limited time frames Positive attitude towards quality and OH&S systems Commitment and demonstration of adherence to the VIFM core values of Respect, Openness, Service, Integrity and Innovation. Possession of Bachelor of Science degree with major in Microbiology. OHS & EEO RESPONSIBILITIES The VIFM is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff, ensuring that the workplace is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination and supporting the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others. In accordance with this commitment all employees will be required to: Comply with all OHS Management System, policies and procedure requirements and take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. All staff are required to immediately report any incidents, hazards or near misses to the relevant Manager/Supervisor and actively participate in hazard elimination where required. Comply with Equal Opportunity policy, procedures and requirements, and undertake work and activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from harassment, bullying behaviour and discrimination and supports the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others. In addition, all employees with people management responsibilities will: Be responsible for monitoring and improving the safety performance of their work area by investigating incidents, identifying hazards, initiating actions and participating in the resolution of safety issues. Participate in the local Health and Safety Committee and where required, liaise with their work area OH&S Representatives to ensure optimal safety performance. Ensure the effective implementation of all OH&S Management System policies and procedures, ensuring staff have adequate training to perform their job safely and new employees are effectively inducted to minimise safety risks within their area. Comply with Equal Opportunity policy, procedures and requirements, and undertake work and activities in a manner that ensures the workplace is free from harassment, bullying behaviour and discrimination through thoughtful behaviour and leading by example and supporting the diverse skills, backgrounds and values of others. Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.3 AUTHORISED COPY OF FORM 3 P a g e
RECORDKEEPING RESPONSIBILITIES All staff are responsible for creating and maintaining accurate and complete records of their business activities and managing these in accordance with the VIFM Records Management Policy and Standard Operating Procedures. In addition, all unit managers will maintain the VIFM Records Management Policy and Standard Operating Procedures in their unit by updating local records management procedures when required, assigning recordkeeping responsibilities to staff and ensuring policies and procedures are correctly followed. VIFM QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT The VIFM is committed to providing high quality service delivery which meets all regulatory and compliance requirements. In accordance with this commitment, you are required to pro-actively participate in, and contribute to, quality management functions such as document control, continuous improvement and corrective actions. This will be demonstrated by active reporting of opportunities for improvement and nonconformances, completion of all assigned actions in the designated timeframe and completion of all assigned reading within 2 weeks of issue. If a manager, you are required to provide leadership and positive promotion of quality management functions and activities, promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement with a view to excellence. You are responsible for ongoing maintenance and improvement of quality management systems within your section through: development of new documentation, document control, document review and updating within stated timeframes, management and reporting of VIFM QMS and internal audit operating actions within stated timeframes. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Employees from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine are required to demonstrate a commitment to follow the VIFM s values & behaviours - Respect Openness Service Integrity Innovation and perform all of the key accountabilities (duties) of their Position. In conjunction with agreed goal delivery as outlined in annual individual Performance Development Plans (PDP), employees are required to acknowledge that they have complied with the VPS Code of Conduct and exhibited the professional behaviours expected at VIFM, followed VIFM policies, in particular: Privacy and Confidentiality, IT Usage, Management of Records, Gifts and Hospitality and Information Security, including not storing VIFM information at home other than for authorised work purposes and confirm that there has been no change in their police clearance check status. Reports, journal articles, the ICMS and other documents and images created in the course of employment at VIFM are copyright works that belong to VIFM. You will need to disclose any pre-existing illness or injury that you know about which could be reasonably foreseen to be affected by the described work duties, If you fail to disclose such a condition, if employed, you will not be paid compensation for that condition in accordance with s.82 (7) of the Accident Compensation Act. The successful applicant will be employed pursuant to the Victorian Public Service Workplace Determination 2012. As the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) evolves to meet changing needs, so will the roles required of its staff. Accordingly, staff and applicants should be aware that this document might not Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.3 AUTHORISED COPY OF FORM 4 P a g e
necessarily represent the full role that the staff member will perform in the long term. This document is intended to provide an overview of the role as at the date of advertisement. The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement and declare other personal information relevant to your employment. The VIFM will comply with the Information Privacy Act 2000 in the way it collects and handles this information. All appointments to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine are subject to the following checks: reference checks and criminal record check. Some positions may also be subject to a Working with Children Check MANAGER AUTHORISATION Manager s Name: EMPLOYEE ACCEPTANCE Employee s Name: Signature & Date: Signature & Date: Document ID: FR-07-0047- 4.3 AUTHORISED COPY OF FORM 5 P a g e