Medical Laboratory Assistant Biochemistry

Medical Laboratory Assistant Biochemistry Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has risen to work in the Pre-Analytic section of the Blood Sciences department at Worcester Acute Trust as a Medical Laboratory Assistant, pay band 2. The position is responsible for processing samples for Haematology and Biochemistry. The hours are full-time 37.5hrs worked Monday to Sunday. This will include 24/7 working as part of a shift pattern, applications also for part-time pro rata according to contract of employment are welcome. This will include 24/7 working as part of a shift pattern. You will be accountable to both Head of Department Clinical Biochemistry and Haematology. Reporting to the Pre Analytics Manager Blood Sciences and above through the laboratory structure.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role include the processing of samples for Haematology and Biochemistry.

Providing support services to the Biomedical Scientist staff in both departments.

The preparation and processing of simple laboratory tests

The preparation and processing of pathology samples involving pre-analytical procedures

To be proficient in the routine use of the Laboratory Information Management system.(LIMS)

To coordinate the receipt and handling of samples and reports from other laboratories

To work in accordance with the departmental Quality Management System

To accurately enter patient and request data

To be proficient in all aspects of the routine use of the LIMS

Upkeep of stock in specimen reception and the general housekeeping duties

Scanning of requests forms to allow for images to be available for technical validation

About us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our objectives are simple:

• Best services for local people
• Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
• Best use of resources
• Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Job responsibilities

To provide support service to BMS staff Preparation and processing of simple laboratory tests, preparation and processing of Pathology samples involving Pre-Analytical procedures.

To be proficient in the routine use of the Laboratory Information Management System.

To co-ordinate the receipt and handling of samples and reports from other laboratories.

To work in accordance with the departmental Quality Management System

Key Duties:

To accurately enter patient and request data onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), making appropriate amendments as required, so as to enable the performance of appropriate or indicated investigation(s) of biological specimens, and the issue of reports to the source of the request, within identified timescales. A high degree of accuracy is required to ensure correct and complete clinical information is recorded so a correct interpretation of results can be made.

To be proficient in all aspects of the routine use of the LIMS, in accordance with departmental procedures.

Upkeep of stock in specimen reception area and perform general housekeeping duties.

To respond to telephone calls from medical and nursing staff within the hospital, or staff from surgeries and clinics, so that requests for results, additional/urgent investigations and technical advice are dealt with to the satisfaction of the caller, in accordance with departmental procedures and within limits of knowledge and capability, referring calls to qualified / senior staff as appropriate. To give out authorised results only, but only to appropriate staff as identified in the departmental Telephoning of Results procedure. To refer requests for technical advice to qualified Biomedical Scientists, as appropriate; to refer requests for clinical advice to Clinical Scientists / Consultants, as appropriate this is to ensure correct information is relayed to service users. To respond to any complaints that arise courteously, referring complainants to appropriate senior staff in all instances.

To co-ordinate and participate in the scanning of request forms so that electronic images are readily available for the technical validation / clinical interpretation of results.

To ensure the document scanner is maintained fit for use at all times and to work in conjunction with senior BMS staff to ensure that any malfunctions are addressed and rectified promptly.

To ensure request forms, and any other documents containing confidential information, are retained and discarded in accordance with Trust and departmental procedures. To be familiar and practise in accordance with Data Protection regulations.

To assist senior staff within the department with general office and laboratory duties.

To take receipt of incoming mail and distribute throughout the department.

To work in accordance with and maintain adherence to the safety standards outlined in the departmental Health and Safety Policy, thereby ensuring that the laboratory complies with regulatory requirements and is a safe, secure, clean and tidy working environment.

To read, understand and practise in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all relevant tasks performed within the laboratory so as to ensure that such tasks are performed in a manner consistent with departmental policies.

To respond appropriately to requests for laboratory consumables from wards, clinics and GP surgeries.

To develop an understanding of the function and use of Information Technology and electronic communications.

To work under the direct and indirect supervision of qualified staff within the department. Direct supervision involves the provision of detailed training in all aspects of a procedure, with work being closely monitored and assessed. Indirect supervision occurs when the post holder has clearly demonstrated consistent competence in all aspects of a procedure and is directed to work with close inspection of practice no longer required.

To participate in mandatory training thus enabling the Trust to satisfy its regulatory requirements as an employer.

To participate in and contribute to regular general departmental meetings that involve all staff to ensure that clear lines of communication are established and maintained thereby enabling discussion of and appropriate reaction to all issues pertaining to service provision and staff interests.

To work in conjunction with all other staff, as directed, to achieve and maintain UKAS accreditation status, which demonstrates that the work carried out within the department is to clearly defined and nationally recognised high standards.

To participate in departmental Quality Management activities in a manner commensurate with the post.

To be familiar with the Pathology Directorate Quality Policy and to ensure its consistent application to all departmental activities.

To work under the direction of the departmental Quality Manager and/or Quality Leads in ensuring the effective implementation of the departmental Quality Management System (QMS).

To maintain familiarity and practise in accordance with the SOPs for all relevant laboratory procedures.

To participate in scheduled audit activities. The programme of activities shall include horizontal, vertical and examination audits, in addition to internal audit of the QMS.

To identify and alert senior staff to any non-conformances to optimal / required practice

To participate in the implementation and review of appropriate remedial, corrective and/or preventative measures in response to reported non-conformances.

To participate in training activities so that own competence to practise in the laboratory is demonstrably maintained through on-going assessment, as appropriate.

Departmental Duties

Duties associated within Pathology Specimen Reception

To receive all patient samples, sort, and distribute all biochemistry / haematology samples to the pre-analytics area of the department. To deal with urgent samples quickly and efficiently to maintain fast turn round times and / or to ensure biologically unstable samples such as semen and all URGENT samples received, are dealt with as quickly as possible.

To receive all patients and visitors to Pathology, promptly and with sympathy, politeness and courtesy.

To assist with general clerical work as directed in the Pathology office or Specimen Reception.

To deal with telephone enquiries from Doctors, nurses and other ward staff and for arrangement of tests with patients. The transfer of more involved queries to more senior laboratory staff.

The sorting of laboratory reports into ward, department, Consultant secretary and GP surgery using the pigeon hole system in specimen reception and then despatch via Royal Mail, internal mail and district courier service.

Issue various specimen containers to porters, ward staff and patients when requested.

Package samples and arrange for them to be sent by Taxi, courier or post as instructed. Put out items to be picked up by the courier for delivery to other Hospitals or GP surgeries as required.

To ensure that levels of stocks kept in specimen reception are adequate.

Duties associated within Blood Sciences Department

The reception of all patient samples into the laboratory, checking, bar-coding and use of Beckman DXA pre analytical automation for processing samples for analysis.

The fast tracking of all urgent samples through the pre- analytical section to enable fast turnaround times to be maintained.

Patient and sample data entry into the laboratory computer system to the required set standard.

Use of the Beckman DXA.

Perform daily / weekly etc. maintenance

Prepare all racks at start of the day

Check and load all consumables during the day

Check all alarms / errors and correct as necessary

Process any short samples and aliquots as necessary

Archive samples using MPA and manual archives

Transfer all aliquots produced by MPA to the relevant rack for storage / analysis / referral

Stock take all consumables and inform Chief / Head BMS of any shortages.

Clean and disinfect pre-analytics work area, laboratory equipment including centrifuges and fume cupboards on a regular basis according to maintenance logs.

Maintenance of laboratory stock levels for all GTT and general laboratory consumables by performing a weekly stock take and informing the Chief / Head BMS if any stocks need ordering. To keep the store rooms tidy and safe.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

The post holder will be required to participate in regular Development Reviews with the Chief Biomedical Scientist in order to identify training requirements, including mandatory sessions. This will be done in accordance with the Trusts corporate approach to training and development under the umbrella of the Knowledge and Skills Framework. Such interviews will incorporate a review of the duties of the post and the agreed Knowledge and Skills Framework Outline for the post, with the outcomes and objectives being recorded in the post holders Personal Development Plan. This forms part of the post holders Personal Development Portfolio, in which they are required to keep contemporary records as evidence of on-going training and development activities.

This job description will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis, as part of the Development Review, in conjunction with the post holder.

Person Specification Experience

• Interest in working in Scientific/ Medical field
• Work placement or previous employment in health care environment. Experience in a clinical or medical laboratory
• Understand medical terminology

Personal Qualities

• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with all staff groups and members of the public
• Able to work as part of a team and to be able to work under pressure.
• Pleasant manner
• Ability to change and adapt

Qualifications

• Evidence of good level of literacy and numeracy
• GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English

Knowledge and Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Prioritise and work at different speeds with dexterity and accuracy while paying attention to detail
• Good basic IT and key board skills

Other job requirements

• Ability to comply with statutory legislation and trust and departmental policies and procedures.
• Willing to undertake training and self development
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Awareness of self presentation to users of the service.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working

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