Profile

Candidate CV questions (extra)

• Education:

  I went to Andover Primary School, Brechin, starting when I was 4 and a half, and was the youngest girl in my class. I then to Brechin High School from 1985 to 1991 – staying until 6th Year.

  While working at the Scottish Agricultural College in Aberdeen I completed a SCOTVEC Module in Microbiology, as part of a change of role between departments.

  While working at Axis-Shield Diagnostics, Ltd, now part of Abbott Laboratories I completed a SVQ Level 3 -Business Improvement Techniques

• Qualifications:

  7 `O` Grade – Arith, Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics, French, Art at passes 1/2/3

  6 `H` Grade –  Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Art at passes B/C

  3 `SYS` Certificates – Chemistry and Maths at passes C/D

  2 SCOTVEC modules – Cookery

  SCOTVEC Module – Techniques in Food Microbiology

  SVQ Level 3 -Business Improvement Techniques

   

• Work History:

  Before I left school I was working part-time, mainly Saturdays in my local ‘Alldays’ store, as a shop assistant. This gave me experience of working with the public, being responsible for handling money, and stock control, and probably where I first learned the value of product expiry dates.

  My first full time position on leaving school was with X Cell Foam Ltd, 02/09/91-21/01/92 as a Laboratory Technician. I was responsible for developing and testing closed cell foam products in a laboratory which was a miniature version of the main factory. It was a very small operation.

  I was unemployed for a period of time after this role, which had me reconsidering my choice at times about further study v the working environment.

  In 1993 I was successful in applying for a Laboratory Assistant role with the Scottish Agricultural College in Aberdeen. During my time with the college I gained skills in sample preparation and milling, nutritional analysis of animal and human foods, fats, fibres, proteins, carbohydrates – the type of information that is on the packaging of every foodstuff. I was given an opportunity to learn radioimmunoassay testing, and was responsible for pregnancy testing of cattle and result reporting to local veterinary surgeries. I was promoted to the role of an Assistant Scientific Officer, and moved to working in commercial and research microbiology. I did not enjoy this work as much as previous experience of RIA. At the same time the business moved to the Craibstone Estate and travel to work become more difficult.

  In 2001 I started my new role as  Manufacturing Technician with Axis-Shield Diagnostics Ltd in Dundee. My transferrable skills in immunoassay being vital in this new role. I started in the manufacturing department with ELISA plate assays, which moved to developing the assays for 3rd party automated analysers. During my time at Axis-Shield, I became the Laboratory Assistant Supervisor, and became responsible for up to 3 direct reports. In my role as supervisor for some of the staff I supported them as they completed a Modern Apprenticeship qualification. During the Covid pandemic I was part of a team developing an ELISA detection assay, which was exciting but also extremely stressful. I have taken the opportunity to do several secondments, gaining skills in other areas of the business and for product validation and the development of products with our R&D department. The business has also seen some significant changes during my employment following acquisition by Alere Laboratories, and now Abbott Laboratories.

• Current Job:

  My current role with the business is an Operations Process Technician, in the Process Engineering Team. I started this role in March 2023. This role requires me to use a full mix of the skills and knowledge I have gained about the business and how it functions. I am required to interact and communicate with staff at all levels, I need to be familiar with current process to propose improvements and solutions to current problems. The role can be varied but some aspects are repetitive and require patience and diligence to stick to the task. Attention to detail is very important, as small changes may be process or product critical both for the business and the customer

• Employer:

  I work for Abbott Laboratories at their Dundee site. Abbott are a multinational medical diagnostics and devices business. They are responsible for products such as the Freestyle Libre for diabetes monitoring, Ensure and Pedisure nutritional supplements, and were massively involved in the supply of test kits for Covid-19 during the pandemic.