In my placement I work in the Clinical Chemistry R+D lab. Each day I had the responsibility of carrying out analyser maintenance on the RX Daytona plus first thing in the morning. This involved washing cuvettes, checking water blanks and carrying out precision checks every week to ensure the machine was functioning correctly and to ensure any team members using the machine could be ensured it was running properly.
I also had the responsibility of working on various projects such as a Microalbumin project. This project involves me testing 3 different microalbumin verification reagents to compare the lots and decide based on test results which lot performs the best. After completing any study such as interferences or sensitivity studies, it is compulsory for a laboratory worksheet to be completed. This involves writing up a method, the lot numbers of any materials used, a results section and a discussion of the results followed by a conclusion. I also work on customer queries, which are problems or queries raised by customers that I carry out testing to solve the problem and report my findings back to the customer. I have gained excellent teamwork skills from working in my department and have also learnt valuable planning skills, particularly when carrying out project type work which involves a massive amount of work and is therefore vital for a well thought plan to be completed before executing a project.
What have your placement highlights been so far on placement?
My main highlight from working on my placement, is the teamwork I have developed through the amazing R+D team I have worked for. All the people in my team were extremely helpful and encouraging and made me feel so welcomed to work with them. I developed excellent relationships with my co-workers and have learnt skills to work as part of a team that I will be able to use in the future. After final year, I am hoping to further my education through going on to do a masters course at QUB, hopefully a masters in ‘Molecular and Biotechnology’ which has caught my interest. I would also like to return to Randox after education as I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience working with this company and was made to feel very welcome from day one of my placement.
Any advice for current or prospective students hoping to study in the School of Biological Sciences and thinking of undertaking placement?
I would advise students to research placements at an early stage to get an idea of what area or company they would like to work in. Over summers, if possible, to gain experience through volunteering for a company they wish to work for in order to get noticed and develop early relationships with company’s which will prove very useful in the future.
Lucy Doyle
