Medical Laboratory Assistant

Black Country Pathology Services seek to recruit an enthusiastic and suitably experienced individual to join our busy department as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).

Current vacancies are within Specialist Biochemistry at both City Hospital and Sandwell Hospital sites. The specialist 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 and abroad.

To support the Biomedical scientists and other support staff with the day to day duties required for the laboratory to operate efficiently. This may involve receipting of samples and entering details into the laboratory computer system, making reagents, restocking consumables as well as basic analytical techniques.

This role is primarily laboratory based, rather than specimen reception, although some sample reception tasks are required.

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.

To perform accurate preparation and pre-analytical procedures as defined by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including centrifuging samples where necessary.

To undertake the reception of samples within the department and their collection from Pathology Reception, using own initiative and dealing with matters independently where possible, referring to senior members of staff for guidance when necessary.

To ensure correct documentation and labelling of samples.

To identify and expedite urgent and priority samples.

Responsible for specimen and patient data entry into the laboratory computer and the storage of paper records.

To provide information as required.

To assist with the processing of specimens using automated laboratory techniques.

To perform manual laboratory techniques.

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

To ensure the safe disposal of samples and materials according to departmental policies.

To prepare reagents and perform Quality Assurance procedures according to SOPs.

To document and package specimens and request for reference to other laboratories ensuring that the correct tests have been requested and that transport regulations are adhered to according to written protocols.
Responsible for monitoring and requisitioning of stationery, pharmacy supplies and consumable goods from stock.

To undertake general laboratory house keeping as specified in the SOPs.
To handle bio hazardous samples and hazardous substances.

May be required to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays in line with service needs.