Biomedical Support Worker

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date

30/09/2024

Planned Interview Date

07/10/2024

Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you highly motivated and enthusiastic? Do you enjoy working as part of a large team? We are seeking a motivated individual for a full-time permanent post in the Cellular Pathology Department. The department benefits from advanced technologies such as Xpress processing and digital scanning, and is the first to introduce fully automated sectioning to the UK.

There will be a requirement to undertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations, and the successful candidate will work in a fast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and to tight deadlines. Previous laboratory experience, attention to detail, organisational qualities, personal flexibility and excellent communication skills will be required. You will be expected to undergo some in house training to attain competence within the laboratory.

The department operates a 6 day week and includes standard day shift patterns and extended day shift patterns.

Main duties of the job

You will work as a member of the departmental team, collecting, receiving and assisting in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimens for testing.

As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine and more complex laboratory investigations some of which may be under the supervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff.

You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients.

You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team.

Within the team you may be required to organise the tasks of support workers and demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff.

You will contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables.

About us

The department provides Histopathology, Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and surrounding primary care centres.

We are a well equipped and innovative department. We are the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning 100% of surgical slides and have introduced the UK's first automated tissue sectioners. We process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 2000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum.

We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all grades of staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in, and further development is encouraged.

We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times, and our focus is to put the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Primarily based at St James University Hospital, there may be a requirement to rotate to other sites and sections. Participation on a Saturday rota may also be required.

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

In order to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:

To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes

To become an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service

To work independently when and as directed by supervisors

To communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically

To plan the designated workload and assist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

To operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently

To input and extract patient data from the laboratory computer system

To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members

To remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.

To participate actively in the departmental appraisal scheme

To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

As the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

Carry out a range of basic and more complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To perform, sometimes under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.

To develop your competences in the department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.

To participate in departmental research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

To enter, manage and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer system.

To communicate accurately sensitive and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures

To demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff

To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme

To contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables

This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.

The Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the Laboratory Manager.

In addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager during your period of induction and further information is available from the Trusts intranet site.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working in a laboratory Basic computer skills, Knowledge of conventional IT software Microsoft Office

Desirable

Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures Participation in relevant CPD schemes

Qualifications

Essential

A level /NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)

Skills & behaviours

Essential

Able to work in a team or independently Physically able to assist in movement of moderate loads Flexible approach to work Good communicator and friendly attitude

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