Dispensing Analyst & Laboratory Technician Apprentice
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Company: ORCHID CELLMARK LTD
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Location: Oxfordshire, OX14 1DY
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £21,703.76 per year
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Sector: Health and science
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Ref: NAS-2000021825
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Application Deadline Date: 01/04/2026
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Start Date: 13/04/2026
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Positions Available: 2
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Working Week: Monday to Friday. Start/finish times to be agreed but between 7.30am to 5.30pm, with either a half an hour or one hour lunch break (upon preference). Study leave to attend external training as part of the apprenticeship programme.
Brief Description
An exciting opportunity to start your career in forensic science! We are looking to expand our established Apprenticeship Scheme and train new apprentices as Laboratory Technicians and Dispensing Analysts. Using cutting-edge technology, you will be part of the Toxicology team that provides police forces with high-quality forensic services.
Training to be Provided
You will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with an Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' training provider, CSR Scientific Training, which will include:
- Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
- On-the-job competency training
- Training will be delivered online with occasional site visits by a vocational skills coach to assess you in the workplace
Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.
Future Prospects
- Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is potential to progress to an analyst role
Vacancy Detail
Reporting to the Toxicology Apprentice Mentor, some of your key duties will include:
- Check, examine and prepare bodily fluids and hair samples, ready for extraction (to include witnessing of other colleagues’ work)
- Update LIMS systems and process documentation to allow accurate monitoring and rapid progression of workflow (to include batch making for extraction)
- Assessment of paperwork to determine work required (predominantly for Road Traffic Act cases)
- Administration tasks, to include (but not limited to) examination queries, work request queries and hair faulting
- Preparation of laboratory solutions, calibrators and quality control samples
- Efficient stock control and ordering of non-stock items
- General housekeeping of laboratory areas, including disposal of dry and wet chemical hazard waste
- Other general laboratory duties to include (but not limited to) glassware washing, cleaning of equipment used for hair cutting and weekly pipette calibration
Other Information
- Occasional carrying of quantities of liquids in open and closed containers
- High level of concentration, particularly when carrying out repetitive tasks
- The position will entail some office-based work but will be predominantly laboratory-based. Security clearance to NPPV3 + SC, so at least 5 years' residency in the UK preceding vetting is required
This vacancy will close early once the positions have been filled, so do not delay your application.
If you hold a degree in a similar field, you will not be eligible for apprenticeship funding.