Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant

Experienced individual required to join our busy department as a Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant. Based in one of the specialist laboratory sections within Clinical Biochemistry at either the Sandwell Hospital or City Hospital site. The laboratories receive a large workload of samples on a daily basis. These samples are referred to us for testing from users all over the country.

The posts is full time, 37.5 hours a week working between the hours of Monday - Friday 09:00-17:30. Participation in an extended working day, weekend or bank holiday working may be required in the future.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.

We are delighted that we have been rated as “Good” by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.

The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.

Deal with samples within the section using own initiative and dealing with matters independently where possible, referring to senior members of staff for guidance when necessary. This includes checking all samples before processing for identification, status and suitability for diagnostic investigation.

Perform accurate preparation, pre-analytical and analytical procedures as defined by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Carry out routine equipment maintenance, calibration and basic troubleshooting on analysers throughout the laboratory and in POCT (point of care testing) locations to ensure correct functioning and to complete log sheets as required.

Prepare reagents, stock solutions and laboratory disinfectants as directed.

Perform quality control analysis according to SOPs to ensure accuracy and precision is being maintained.

Log errors and record remedial action taken

Training of junior members of staff

Supervising junior staff in allocation of duties.

Identifies and expedites urgent and priority samples.

Handles bio hazardous samples and hazardous substances.

Undertakes complex biomedical analysis on sample by using either manual or automated techniques.

To check, locate and process samples identified from work outstanding or overdue lists.

Assist in audit and risk assessment, including audit of appropriate use of POCT equipment.

Organises and carry out glucose tolerance test clinics on both the Sandwell and City Hospital sites. Including; preparing the patient for the test, organising the sample collections from the patient, administering the glucose drink, analysing the samples and recording the results under supervision.

Dealing with telephone enquiries from colleagues, patients, medical staff and others and giving out authorised results according to protocols that protect patient confidentiality.

Undertake general laboratory housekeeping as specified in the SOPs. Including; stock control, ordering, receipt and distribution or storage of stock deliveries and safe disposal of samples and materials according to departmental policies.

To take part in Joint Annual Review (PDR) as directed.

Any other duties deemed appropriate for the role.