Biomedical Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Engages effectively and respectfully with patients, staff, and visitors; participates in meetings; manages telephone enquiries and shares results clearly

Deals helpfully, competently and confidentially with staff and laboratory visitors under the guidance of senior staff as required.

Demonstrates a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team. Adheres to guidelines from Public Health Wales; participates in quality audits and internal assurance; monitors equipment and reports incidents promptly.

Follows Standard Operating Procedures and participates in their review and update.

Undertakes sample reception tasks including checking specimens against request forms, numbering, labelling and booking in of specimens on the laboratory information management system. Contacting sending laboratories by telephone if any anomalies occur.

Supports and supervises new colleagues

When required receive stock and move stock around the department.

Will partake in regular cleaning of the department; ensures laboratory work areas are kept clean and tidy.

Contributes to the planning of own day-to-day workload, with Lead BMS / Principal Clinical Scientist.

Prepare solutions, reagents, and stains following standard operating procedures using aseptic techniques as required.

Routinely processes faeces, tissues and other bodily fluids

Undertakes separation of parasite cysts and oocysts from faecal and other samples.

Extracts DNA from faeces and (oo)cyst preparations.

Prepares and stains faecal smears on microscope slides.

Collect and safely dispose of Laboratory waste with strict adherence to the Laboratorys safe waste disposal policy

Demonstrates manual dexterity for delicate tasks, ensuring a safe working environment.

Reads, interprets and transcribes sometimes distressing clinical details to the laboratory information system.

Occasional exposure to potentially confrontational queries from other laboratories involving specimens not received, leaked and not tested.

Engages in research and method evaluation to support inclusive service development.

Operates and maintains complex laboratory equipment including analysers, participating in testing and ensuring resource accessibility and security.

Mentors newly appointed Biomedical Support Workers, fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.

Performs manual and computerised data entry; ensures data integrity through careful and respectful entry, safeguarding confidentiality and dignity.

Provides clerical assistance to the Unit, including liaising with external contacts, organising meetings and taking notes.

Collaborates on projects with project leads, incorporating diverse perspectives in evaluations of new equipment and methods.

Follows established procedures under supervision or independently, promoting safety and accountability at all times.

Engages in tasks requiring focus and resilience, addressing emotional aspects of sensitive work environments while safeguarding confidentiality.

Works with clinical specimens and microorganisms in controlled environments, prioritising health and safety for all team members.

Act within your competencies. If in doubt, consult your line manager or supervisor.

All staff are expected to manage risks by assessing situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting incidents and hazards.

Legally responsible for managing all records related to your work. Consult your manager with questions. Respect and safeguard confidentiality and sensitive information.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Good basic education minimum Maths and English GCSE or equivalent, A Level, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent level 3 qualification in any field, or equivalent level of skills and knowledge
• Health and Safety awareness.
• Understanding of patient confidentiality

Desirable

• Science related qualification(s)
• Previous laboratory experience; work with faecal material

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel
• Good manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination e.g. pipetting samples
• Evidence of problem-solving skills or the ability to think proactively in challenging situations (e.g., through academic, personal, or voluntary experiences).
• Ability to accurately follow verbal and written instructions and complex protocols and procedures

Desirable

• Quick learner with well-developed learning skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Singleton Hospital, Swansea

Sketty Lane

Swansea

SA2 8QA

Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)