Flexible Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods

Flexible Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods

06 August 2019

Flexible Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods

At Randox Testing Services our complete testing solutions include flexible drug and alcohol testing methods that can be tailored to meet our customer needs. In all aspects of testing we ensure the accuracy and reliability of results and utilise strict chain of custody procedures across all our testing methods.

To guarantee the most effective form of testing our dedicated Account Managers make informed recommendations to our customers on what type of testing best suits their business needs. The different methods are outlined below along with the sample types that can be tested:

Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods

  • Abstinence Monitoring

Conducted as a follow up on a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test. If an employer provides support to an employee who has had a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test, this type of testing may be used to help with rehabilitation.

  • Post-Incident

Used to determine if drugs or alcohol may have contributed to an accident/incident in the workplace. This type of testing can be an effective tool in accident investigations and it is our recommendation that should an incident occur, all employees involved should be tested.

  • Pre-Employment

This is the most popular type of workplace testing especially in industries which have safety critical roles. This type of testing is an essential part of a company’s recruitment process and clearly states the company’s position on drug and alcohol misuse for any potential employee.

  • Random

A popular type of testing within workplaces as it acts as a deterrent to drug and alcohol abuse. A company’s drug and alcohol testing policy should clearly outline that they carry out random workplace testing ensuring employees do not know when the event is planned.

  • With-Cause

Performed when a company is suspicious that an employee may be currently under the influence of alcohol or misusing drugs. This suspicion is normally raised if an employee is acting out of character and there has been observed different behaviours.

Sample Types

  • Urine (Alcohol and Drugs)

The most common sample type for drug testing and offers a longer detection window than oral fluid for drugs.

  • Oral Fluid (Drugs only)

Oral fluid testing analyses a saliva sample for parent drugs and their metabolites, providing analysis of short-term drug abuse.

  • Hair (Alcohol and Drugs)

A hair drugs test offers a longer window of detection than alternative testing and can provide a detailed view or overall picture of drug use. Detection window is based on hair length with 1cm of head equating to approximately 1 month of detection.

  • Breath (Alcohol only)

Breath can be tested for alcohol using hand-held devices which provide immediate results. These devices can gauge blood alcohol content (BAC) by measuring deep lung air.

About Randox Testing Services

Randox Testing Services is a market leader in the drug and alcohol testing industry. Our expertise is relied upon by a range of leading safety-critical companies across the world.

We pride ourselves on helping our customers improve the health and safety of their working environment through helping them implement a comprehensive substance misuse policy. Our expertise within this industry allows us to craft customised packages to meet the testing needs of any workplace. Our drug and alcohol testing methods are flexible to adapt to any changes and our testing processes are accurate, to guarantee reliable results.

Contact us today be at testingservices@randox.com or call 028 9445 1011 to speak to one of our experts.

Want to know more?

Contact us or visit our website to read more.


Randox QC unveils brand new multi-analyte commutable Acusera Infectious Disease Controls

Randox Quality Control is set to introduce its brand new Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 2019, designed to deliver a cost-effective, high quality solution for the analysis of infectious diseases whilst producing trustworthy results.

The Infectious Disease Serology Internal Quality Controls will include quality control material for Lyme Disease, ToRCH, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, Hepatitis A virus, Human T-lymphotropic virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Varicella zoster virus (Chickenpox or Shingles).

Manufactured from human plasma, each control is designed to react to the test system in the same manner as the patient sample, helping to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements while also reducing inconvenient shifts in QC results when reagent batches are changed.

Lynsey Adams, Randox Quality Control Manager, commented;

“These controls are the first of their kind on the market to be used on a wide range of immunoassay analysers. Unlike the current practice of analyser-specific tests, these controls can be used across a wide range of laboratory technologies and, with a working stability of 60 days at 2°c to 8°c, waste and costs are kept to a minimum.”

Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls are also multi-analyte and therefore, testing can be consolidated to just a small number of vials, saving laboratories valuable space and time. A single control can be used to assess performance across a range of analytes.

Key benefits of the Acusera Infectious Disease Controls;

  • All samples are provided in a user-friendly, liquid, ready-to-use format
  • Manufactured from human plasma, each control reacts to the test system in the same manner as a patient sample
  • Designed to deliver an independent, unbiased assessment of performance with any immunoassay instrument
  • Working stability of 60 days ensures waste and costs are kept to a minimum
  • Multi-marker controls help reduce the number of individual controls required
  • Designed to challenge clinically-relevant levels, samples will ensure accurate and reliable instrument performance

Ideal for microbiology and virology laboratories, blood banks, public health laboratories or clinical laboratories performing serology testing, Randox QC’s Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls are set to revolutionise serology testing and provide reliable, accurate results time and time again.

For further information please email acusera@randox.com, visit www.randoxqc.com or tel: +44 (0) 28 9442 2413 / fax: +44 (0) 28 9445 2912

 

 


Multiplex biochip for accurate differentiation of stroke types launched at AACC

Stroke        Biochip        MultiSTAT

05 August 2019

Stroke Biochip

 

A ground-breaking new test which improves the accuracy of stroke diagnosis has been developed by Randox scientists.

The Randox Stroke Biochip is a rapid and highly sensitive blood test that will complement and enhance existing CT scanning technology to facilitate accurate classification of stroke patients and improve patient care pathways.

With a unique ability to differentiate between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, the Randox Stroke Biochip takes less than 30 minutes to complete – making sure patients get the right diagnosis as fast as possible.

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the test, commented;

“There is great tragedy in the fact that the majority of stroke damage can be minimised if intervention is delivered on time, yet too often the window closes before a diagnosis is made. For doctors, nothing is more frustrating.

“Excellent work has been undertaken to assist the public in recognising the signs of a stroke so people can get to hospital as quickly as possible. Our stroke test is the vital next step – assisting clinicians in making a rapid diagnosis and differentiation between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke, so their patients get the right treatment at the right time.”

Using Randox revolutionary patented Biochips, the Randox Stroke Biochip provides a unique solution for simultaneous detection of multiple stroke biomarkers from a single sample, facilitating fast and accurate classification of stroke patients in an emergency setting.

 

Benefits of the Randox Stroke Biochip

  • Results in 30 minutes on the Evidence MultiSTAT
  • Unique solution for stroke classification
  • Differentiation of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke
  • Guarantees rapid thrombolytic therapy ensuring better patient outcomes

 

John Lamont, R&D Director for Randox Laboratories, explained the benefits of the Stroke Biochip;

 “While patients undergo a CT scan to confirm either the presence or lack of a haemorrhagic stroke, a blood test on the Randox Biochip can be run on our innovative point-of-care analyser, the Evidence MultiSTAT, to identify the same for an ischaemic stroke.

“For the almost 90% of stroke patients who are ruled out for haemorrhagic stroke1, the Randox Biochip will then accelerate decision making for clinicians with regards to thrombolytic therapy.

 “Any treatment is most effective if started as soon as possible after the stroke occurs, and so every minute that passes without a diagnosis is likely to leave a permanent mark on a stroke patient’s future health and lifestyle.  The vitally important diagnostic information from the Randox Stroke Biochip facilitates accurate stroke classification, directs the appropriate patient care pathway, and enables rapid thrombolytic therapy, ensuring a better patient outcome for ischaemic stroke sufferers, for whom time is of the essence.”

Whilst the Randox Stroke Biochip is currently being used as complementary testing in parallel with CT scanning, Mr Lamont is confident of a more prominent role for the test in the future patient pathway;

“The Biochip has the potential to really revolutionise the stroke diagnosis pathway as we currently know it. The accessibility of this type of blood testing could potentially extend its use beyond the A&E department, to ambulances and even the home, in the form of a hand-held testing device.”

For further information about our pioneering Stroke Biochip please visit us at stand 1101 at this year’s AACC or follow the links below.

 

Want to know more?

Contact us or visit our Stroke Biochip page to learn more.

Related Products

MULTISTAT

EVIDENCE SERIES

BIOCHIP

CEREBRAL ARRAY


Randox launches whole pathogen Blood Borne Virus Controls at AACC

Whole pathogen Blood Borne Virus (BBV) controls have been brought to market by global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories.

The molecular controls, available under the brand name Qnostics, are versatile in monitoring the presence of BBVs, including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

For use with molecular methods, the controls are manufactured using whole pathogens and therefore mimic the patient sample, providing the best sample matrix for laboratories.

Lynsey Adams, Randox Quality Control Manager, explained;

“We’re delighted to be able to bring to market these whole pathogen Blood Borne Virus Controls, which are designed to help molecular laboratories effectively manage assay performance.

“Using whole pathogens in the development of the controls ensures we meet the demands of today’s molecular diagnostics laboratories by monitoring the entire testing process.”

The Molecular BBV controls from Randox, which are liquid frozen for user convenience and ease of use, will aid microbiology and virology laboratories to monitor assay drift and ultimately will help to ensure accurate test system performance. Each control is designed to be medium positive and are suitable for use with a variety of molecular workflows.

Lynsey added;

These versatile Blood Borne Virus controls can be used in the daily monitoring of assay performance, but are equally applicable for use in the validation/verification of new assays, and may also be used for troubleshooting  after  poor EQA performance.”

Randox Blood Borne Virus Molecular Controls are manufactured to ISO 13485 standards and calibrated against an independent Internal Reference Material. Also included within the Qnostics BBV range are   Molecular Q panels. Each molecular Q panel includes a negative, low, medium and high positive sample designed to cover more of the assays measuring range.

Key Features and Benefits of Randox Blood Borne Virus Qnostics Controls:

  • Third party controls as recommended by ISO 15189:2012
  • Specifically designed to meet the demands of today’s molecular diagnostics laboratory and laboratories carrying out Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT)
  • Suitable for use across a wide range of molecular assays to monitor the entire molecular workflow from extraction to amplification and detection
  • Flexible and suitable for use with the majority of commercial and in-house molecular methods
  • Traceable to the current relevant WHO International Standards and characterised by digital PCR
  • Liquid frozen for user convenience and ease of use, with no additional preparation required
  • Calibrated against an independent Internal Reference Material (IRM)
  • Quality products manufactured to ISO 13485: 2016 standards
  • Manufactured using whole pathogens and therefore mimic the patient sample providing the best possible sample matrix for laboratories
  • New controls available include Hepatitis B (HBV) Medium Q Control, Hepatitis C (HCV) Medium Q Control and HIV Medium Q Control
  • US-IVD labelled for clinical use

For further information please visit https://www.randox.com/molecular-infectious-disease-controls/blood-borne-virus-testing/, visit us at stand 1101 at this year’s AACC or email market@randox.com

 


Randox Food Diagnostics to attend Apimondia 2019 in Montreal

Randox Food Diagnostics will be attending Apimondia 2019 in Montreal, Canada from the 8th – 12th September.

Apimondia is the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Association. Its major objective is to facilitate the exchange of information and discussions within the honey industry by organising seminars where beekeepers, scientists, honey-traders, agents for development, technicians and legislators meet to listen, discuss and learn from one another.

In order to help the honey industry Randox Food Diagnostics have developed Biochip Array Technology. Biochip allows for the detection of multiple antibiotics / antimicrobials / pesticides from a single honey sample.

Antibiotics such as oxytetracycline are essential for the control of bacterial diseases of agricultural plants. Most applications are by spray treatments in orchards therefore bees collecting nectar from treated plants causes antibiotic residues to transfer to the honey.

It has previously been idenitified that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be found in the guts of insects feeding on a variety of plants, which are not exposed to significant levels of antibiotics in other forms. K Ignasiak 2016 Insects are responsible for the pollination of most flowering plants. Importantly, insects have an economic role, as domesticated pollinators bees alone contribute between $1.6 and $5.7 billion to US agriculture alone. This exposure to antibiotic residues can cause adverse health effects in humans via honey consumption and in the long term create antibiotic resistance within the entire food chain.

Randox offer a vast number of arrays for the detection of antimicrobials in honey including: sulphonamides, trimethoprim, dapsone, Quinolones, streptomycin, tetracyclines, erythromycin, nitroimidazoles and many more. Our Biochip platform enables the user to run up to 54 honey samples on the Evidence Investigator analyser in under 2 hours 30 minutes, allowing the user to consolidate costs and time.

See our full range of arrays for the detection of antibiotics on Biochip Array Technology:

AM I Ultra

AM II Plus

AM III

AM IV

AM V

AM Cap Only

Stop by booth B1 at Apimondia to find out about the Randox Food Diagnostics range of products for the screening of antibiotics in honey.

For further information please email info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com

 


Randox staff raise over £14,000 for mental health charity partners AWARE and Mind Your Mood

Global healthcare company Randox Laboratories has today announced that staff have raised over £14,000 for mental health charity partners AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood, during 2018 and 2019.

AWARE NI is the depression charity for Northern Ireland with an established network of 24 support groups in rural and urban areas across the country. They also deliver mental health and wellbeing programmes into communities, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. Mind Your Mood is an initiative designed and managed by students at Ulster University to help break down the stigma of mental health and encourage students to access support.

Dr. Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director and Founder of Randox Laboratories, commented:

“There is no doubt that mental health issues are a major concern within our society and the vigour with which staff at Randox have fundraised for AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood, two causes close to everybody’s hearts, is to be commended.

“Randox staff across all areas – from Science to Engineering and Business to Manufacturing –  have raised a substantial sum for our two charity partners and we hope that this figure will aid awareness of mental health and contribute to the help given to those suffering in Northern Ireland.”

The partnership, which was announced in July 2018, kicked off with the annual Randox Fest staff BBQ in August where 400 staff members had the opportunity to participate in a football tournament, tug-of-war and rounders. Talented musicians amongst Team Randox even took to the stage to bring live music to the festivities.

Throughout the year, Randox staff continued to enthusiastically support AWARE and Mind Your Mood. In October 2018, Randox hosted a company-wide Mental Health Month which saw various divisions take part in a fundraising coffee morning in Randox Health’s clinic in Holywood, a Wear Yellow Day across all of Randox’s NI sites, a daring abseil from the dome of Victoria Square Belfast and a fundraising bake sale for staff members.

The Randox Gaelic Football team also fundraised for the charities with their participation in an Interfirm Tournament in November 2018, while the annual Randox Christmas Raffle in December 2018 was once again popular as staff members vied for top prizes of a 55” Sony smart TV, an extra day of annual leave and tickets to the world-renowned Randox Health Grand National. Children of Randox staff also enjoyed a visit from another famous and festive figure in a red suit at this yearly family event in the staff calendar.

Clare Galbraith, Corporate Fundraising Officer for AWARE, commented:

“We have thoroughly enjoying working with Randox over the past year and are incredibly grateful to Randox staff for their hard work and perseverance in achieving this tremendous amount of fundraising.

“The vital work of AWARE is funded primarily by donations and without the generosity of people like those at Randox, we would not be able to provide the services we do to those living with depression and bipolar disorder in Northern Ireland.”

The new year in 2019 saw Randox staff taking part in a charity golf day at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Belfast City Marathon and another abseil, this time from the top of Cave Hill’s most iconic landmark, Belfast Castle. Two brave staff members have also volunteered to scale the heights in a 10,000ft skydive in Garvagh which will take place later in the year.

Randox fundraising for AWARE NI and Mind Your Mood came to an end with AWARE NI’s Dragon Boat race on the River Lagan at the end of June 2019. Two Randox boats competed against 12 others in a race against the clock, with one Team Randox boat reaching the semi-final of the event.

Eddie Friel, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Ulster University said:

“Ulster University and Randox have a long-standing partnership built around research, knowledge, sharing, collaboration and student opportunity. This generous sum raised by Randox staff will go a long way in helping to support the mental health activity taking place at our four campuses through the Mind Your Mood initiative.”

Over £14,000 was raised, £10,826 of which was for AWARE NI-related activities and £3,270 for Mind Your Mood.

For further information please email randoxpr@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Randox launches new Acusera Verify linearity sets for Roche Cobas and Beckman systems

Randox Quality Control is set to launch new Acusera Verify linearity sets at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 2019.

Randox Linearity sets are designed to challenge a larger segment of an instrument’s reportable range, and test validity of system calibration. The Acusera Verify materials will cover testing of C-reactive Protein, Rheumatoid Factor, Lipids, Therapeutic Drugs, and Esoterics, amongst others and are compatible for use with Roche Cobas and Beckman systems.

Materials also include a unique combination of analytes, meaning laboratories do not need multiple products for testing, which reduces both costs and need for storage space.

Lynsey Adams, Randox Quality Control Manager, commented;

“Acusera Verify’s range of instrument-dedicated calibration verifiers are designed to challenge the entire Analytical Measuring Range, whilst remaining convenient to use and helping to meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements.”

According to CLIA, a laboratory should perform and document calibration verification procedures at least once every 6 months and/or whenever one of the following occur;

  • A complete change of reagents for a procedure is introduced, unless the laboratory can demonstrate that changing reagent lot numbers does not affect the range.
  • There is a major preventive maintenance or replacement of critical parts that may influence test performance.
  • Control material reflects an unusual trend or shift, or are outside of the laboratory’s acceptable limits, and other means of assessing and correcting unacceptable control values fail to identify and correct the problem.
  • Laboratory’s established schedule for verifying the reportable range for patient test results requires more frequent calibration verification.
  • New instrument validation.

CLIA also recommends that a minimum of 3 levels are tested covering the low end, mid-point and high end of the reportable range. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) however, recommend at least 5 levels are tested. It is also considered best practice that laboratories run at least 3 replicates of each level in the same way they would a patient or control sample.

Acusera Verify from Randox QC will ensure that laboratories meet the recommended CLIA and CLSI guidelines in both a timely and costly manner.

Randox Linearity sets available:

  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Linearity Verifiers
  • High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) Linearity Verifier
  • Esoterics Linearity Verifier
  • Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Linearity Verifier
  • Lipids Linearity Verifier
  • Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) & Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) Linearity Verifier
  • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) Linearity Verifier
  • CO2 and Electrolytes Linearity Verifier

Acusera Verify also allows users to access real-time peer group data and automatically-generated statistics through a cloud-based data reduction software package which is supplied with all linearity sets. This provides laboratories with comprehensive graphs of results and at-a-glance performance assessment.

For further information please email acusera@randox.com, visit www.randoxqc.com or tel: +44 (0) 28 9442 2413 / fax: +44 (0) 28 9445 2912

 


Scotland set to introduce new “zero tolerance” policy for DUID

Scotland is set to introduce a new “zero tolerance” policy to those caught driving under the influence of drugs.

Ministers in Scotland want to make it easier for police officers to target people driving with illegal drugs in their bloodstream. The policy will supersede the current need to prove that someone was driving in an impaired manner as a result of drug consumption. The law in Scotland currently states that it is illegal to drive if impaired by drugs, be it prescription or illegal drugs.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said;

“The introduction of drug driving limits will strengthen the power of Scotland’s police and prosecutors to tackle the minority of drivers who irresponsibly put themselves and other road-users at risk. Drug driving is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to prevent the avoidable deaths and damage caused by those who drive under the influence of drugs. Together with our stringent drink-driving limits, these new laws will ensure that Scotland have the UK’s most robust laws against impaired and unsafe driving.”

Under the new plan, eight of the most commonly abuse illegal drugs – including heroin, ketamine and ecstasy – will have limits set very close to zero to rule out claims of accidental exposure. A further eight drugs, which can have medicinal purposes – such as diazepam and methadone – will have higher limits based on their ability to impair drivers. These proposals would mean just having drugs in your system that breach the limits, this is sufficient evidence to prosecute.

Utilising our Biochip Array Technology, the Evidence MultiSTAT From Randox Toxicology has screening panels which cover a broad range of classical, prescription and common DUID drugs of abuse.

For more information about our products for driving under the influence screening, email info@randoxtoxicology.com or visit www.randoxtoxicology.com

 

 

Scotland Zero Tolerance Policy for DUID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Experience Country Life at Randox Antrim Show

A host of family-friendly country fun will descend on the majestic setting of Shane’s Castle on Saturday 27th July as Randox Antrim Show comes to town.

The event offers an enjoyable day out in the country as the best horses, cattle, sheep, fruit, vegetables, craftwork and baked goods are brought to one location for a public showcase. It also involves children’s entertainment, dog agility displays, a petting zoo, live music, sheep shearing, and stalls, to name just a few of the things made possible by the support of many sponsors, including that from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

In the ‘Festival of Food’ marquee local produce will be promoted by celebrity chef Paula McIntryre and local chef Jonny Clarke from The Holestone, Parkgate, who will be hosting cookery demonstrations throughout the day. They’ll be joined by local food producers keen for the public to sample their wares.

The show is indebted to the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme for providing sponsorship in this area, which has also enabled, in conjunction with the McKeever Hotel Group, a schools’ competition to promote local produce. The top three entrants in the primary and secondary sections receive complimentary access to the event to discover who won.

Randox Antrim Show is an event where children and pets are welcome. The popular Children’s Pet Show accepts £1 entries from U16s on the day, just ahead of the 1.30pm judging in the cattle ring with the ‘Pet Show’ sign. Note, large animals may be refused entry for health and safety reasons. A free Children’s Treasure Hunt for U12s has also recently been introduced.

The entertainment marquee is home to live music and the jiving competition that annually crowns the Show’s ‘King & Queen of the Castle.’ The show’s entertainment is made possible by support from the Enkalon Foundation. For the winning jiving couple there is a cash prize of £200 on offer, £100 for second and £50 for third place. Entries are taken on the day of the show.

In the Horticulture and Home Industries section, as well as a new ‘Jim McKay Trophy’ for best exhibitor in the vegetable section, there is a new Young Farmers’ Clubs Craft class to make a ‘Kitchen Memo Board’. The section includes a range of new classes including some in Photography.

As one of Northern Ireland’s leading regional one-day agricultural shows, Antrim is delighted to be hosting four Northern Ireland championships in its cattle section: The Thompson’s NISA Dairy Cow Championship; the Aberdeen Angus Ulster Championship; the Dexter Group’s Premier Show; and the Northern Ireland Limousin Championship.

Visit the show’s website for the full schedule and ultimate close date for entries, however, entries for the horticulture section are still accepted up until Friday 26 July by contacting that section direct on 075 2609 9966. Only show jumping classes (and in exceptional circumstances other equine classes) can be entered on the day of the Show. For enquiries email secretary@antrimshow.com.

Randox Antrim Show takes place on Saturday 27 July at Shanes Castle, from 9am until 5pm. Admission at the gate is £10 per Adult, £5 per Youth (12-17 years), YFC member is £5 by showing card, and Under 12s go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Car parking is free. Discounted Adult tickets are available only in advance until 25 July on the show website.

For further information about the Randox Antrim Show please contact the Randox PR team by emailing randoxpr@randox.com or phoning 028 9442 2413.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


We Are Randox | Biosciences Placement Student Kathryn Wilson

For our 2018/19 placement students, their year with Randox is almost at an end.

To mark their time with us and wish them the best of luck with their future studies, we took the opportunity to speak with one of our placement students in the sales team, to give us an insight of her experience during a Randox placement year.

Meet Kathryn Wilson, Business Placement Sales Executive for Randox Biosciences.

 

Hi Kathryn, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a 21-year-old student studying Bsc Equine and Veterinary Bioscience at Aberystwyth University in Wales. In September 2018 I began working in the Biosciences division of Randox Laboratories, specifically working on the release of new molecular technologies for clinical diagnostics. As part of a newly formed sales team, my focus is on the diagnostics market in Ireland.

Why did you want to forge a career in sales?

Whilst studying my bio-veterinary degree my only focus had been on science, so I was keen to broaden my horizons and explore opportunities in a business role for a company involved in the life-sciences industry. Initially, I was tentative of a role in sales, but I knew it would be a good way to develop a broad knowledge of business and the industry, and develop new skills.

Why did you decide to take your placement year with Randox?

Randox was a perfect fit for me, as a global scientific company based in Northern Ireland. I was looking for a placement that would allow me to spend time at home before returning to Wales for university.

I was intrigued by their range of products and diverse market presence in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, research and healthcare. It seemed like a good company to gain an insight into new research in a variety of career sectors.

Describe a typical day as a Business Placement Sales Executive.

My role has evolved as we have moved through the different stages of product development throughout the year. Initially, when I first joined the team, we were in the planning stage. This involved mapping potential contacts and key sites in Ireland, and developing a sales strategy.

As this is a new venture for Randox the role also involved educating the market on our technology and creating awareness in all potential points of sale. This educational aspect of my job involved regular trips and meetings across Ireland, and frequent UK team meetings to discuss market feedback and problem solve. It’s important that we have been able to adapt our sales strategy for the specific healthcare areas -from public to private and point-of-care to large laboratories. Coming into the final month of my placement we are now prepared for product release with confirmed validation studies and initial placements, and significant interest across Ireland.

What are some examples of the tasks and responsibilities of your role?

There has been a range of ongoing tasks throughout the year to facilitate a busy and growing division. I was given the responsibility of forecasting, logging orders and organising meetings, and have been involved in internal decision-making processes alongside management. I have also helped to manage the university contracts in Ireland for our lab equipment, reagents and outsourcing some testing for specific studies.

Before I finish my placement I’m researching the market for upcoming arrays for launch next year, and planning a final trip in Ireland.

What was the most exciting part of your placement with Randox Biosciences?

The opportunity to travel around Ireland and London has been excellent. To date I have participated in over 10 conferences on behalf of Randox. Highlights for me have been corporate hospitality with potential customers at the Randox Health Grand National, and presenting at the first Infectious Disease Forum for Randox, in front of representatives from microbiology sites across Ireland.

I was also trusted to conduct a trip on my own around Donegal and Sligo, coupled with a visit to our Donegal R&D site, Randox Teoranta in Dungloe, to learn about future veterinary arrays in development.

It has been a privilege to be able to work with such a diverse range of people – from the scientists developing the products, to the sales team specialising in markets across the globe.  There are so many different career paths here at Randox.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your time at Randox Biosciences?

I have been challenged to quickly adapt to the business environment and gain an in-depth understanding of the wide range of products. I have been pushed outside my comfort zone to discuss with customers, present to the team and take responsibility of the day-to-day tasks.

Knowing the new molecular diagnostics range, infectious disease panels, and competitors in the market well enough to be confident in front of potential customers on my own, has also been a challenge. Hard work at Randox is acknowledged however, and I was awarded runner-up Business Student of the Year.

What is the best thing about Randox and would you recommend this placement to other students?

The best thing about a placement with Randox is that you will be given as many opportunities as you are willing to take. They are very supportive and will push you as much as any other member of the team.

As a non-business student this year has given me a wealth of insight into the workings of a global company, as well as furthering my scientific knowledge and interests in many aspects of the industry.

I would recommend a Randox placement for students who are keen to gain as much experience as possible in a global company focused on new and exciting health research.

What are your goals for the future?

My experience at Randox has given me an excellent insight into the world of business in the biosciences industry, and has prepared me well to build a career in this exciting industry. I think that the experience gained through Randox will be applicable to many life sciences sectors which I would like to explore further.

Although I am not sure what the future may hold, in the shorter term I am looking forward to returning to finish my final year at Aberystwyth.

For more information about Randox Biosciences and what career opportunities we offer please contact info@randoxbiosciences.com

 

 

 

 

 

Placement student Kathryn Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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