The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Medical Laboratory Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Neuroscience Laboratories

AFC band 3

Fixed term. Part time post for 3 years working 30 hours per week Tuesday to Friday 9.00am 5.30pm

The renowned TONiC study, one of the highest recruiting studies on the NIHR portfolio, is entering an exciting new stage. Backed by new funding, we will enhance the current model of collecting data by processing and biobanking samples for genetic and other analyses. To support this new activity, The Neuroscience Laboratories are looking to appoint a reliable and enthusiastic individual to join their team of clerical and laboratory support staff.

This advert will close when sufficient applications have been received.

For further information or to arrange a visit, please contact Mr Khaja Syed, Biobank Manager. Email Khaja.syed@thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk Tel. 0151 556 3323

Main duties of the job

Providing support to pathologists and scientific staff in the reception, handling, processing, storage and retrieval of clinical and research samples (blood/CSF). The post holder will be required to work Tuesday to Friday to support biobanking and processing of samples taken at clinics held specifically on these days. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) processing experience is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.

The post holder will be educated to GCSE level in Science, Maths, and English and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills, a flexible approach, able to exercise initiative and demonstrate a consistently high standard of professionalism, being aware of the need for confidentiality and integrity.

Maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records, both paper and electronic is an essential aspect of this post.

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People we invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and has been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Date posted

14 December 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9160-444300

Job locations

The Walton Centre

Liverpool

Merseyside

L9 7LB

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be a member of a team of clerical and laboratory support staff providing support to Neuropathologists and scientific staff in the reception, handling, processing, storage and retrieval of clinical samples (blood / CSF). The post holder will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, must be

flexible in approach, able to exercise initiative and demonstrate a consistently high standard of professionalism, being aware of the need for confidentiality and integrity. The post holder is responsible for the processing and storage of Biobank samples within the Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW), according to agreed procedures. They will monitor consumable stock levels and alert senior staff when ordering is required. Maintenance of accurate and comprehensive records, both paper and electronic is an essential aspect of this post. Key responsibilities

Managerial:

To produce risk assessments

Participate in the maintenance of COSHH, safety data sheets and Standard Operating Procedures.

Communication:

Communicate effectively with all levels of staff within WCFT and also from other trusts and organisations.

Attend research meetings and relevant Departmental meetings and provide reports as required

Organise transfer of clinical samples to collaborating researchers.

Clinical/Technical:

To deal with all aspects of specimen reception in Neurobiochemistry and Neuroimmunology.

To provide safe and effective handling and storage of fresh and fixed specimens.

To aliquot, package and send referral samples to other hospitals, ensuring that the sample is of the correct type, all relevant patients details and test request is correct. The sample has been treated in the correct manner and is packaged in accordance with postal regulations.

To assist pathologists, scientific and secretarial staff in their duties as requested.

To collect clinical data and enter this data into the LNBW database. To liaise with clinicians to ensure correct data collection and to resolve queries in an accurate and timely way.

Be competent in the use of departmental computer systems, maintain databases and ensure the information in them is up to date.

Be able to process blood samples e.g. prepare serum, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and store samples appropriately.

To work in accordance with departmental safety policies and ensure proper maintenance of equipment and safety within the workplace.

To ensure that all accidents and incidents are properly reported in accordance with WCFT departmental and trust policies.

Deal in a safe manner with chemical and biological substances and be aware of their hazards.

To receive reagents on arrival and ensure that they are correctly recorded and stored.

Education and Training :

To complete the IBMS competence training log along with continued learning.

Planning and Organisation

To assist members of the research team to audit progress and to prepare data for reports and presentations.

Show an independent approach to the organisation of daily work activities and have good time management skills.

To type reports and provide clerical support to the department secretary.

Undertake any other duties deemed relevant to the post and grade.

Clinical Governance / Audit:

Contribute to the audit process of the department

Assist in the implementation and compliance with UKAS Accreditation requirements, as directed by BMS staff.

Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW)

In addition to the duties given above that may be applicable to the Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW), the following key responsibilities are also applicable:

To participate in all practical aspects of preparation and storage of samples for research, according to agreed procedures.

To monitor stocks of consumables for Biobank use.

To use, maintain and monitor all equipment used in Biobank sample processing according to agreed procedures.

To adhere to Quality Management System requirements for the LNBW in accordance with relevant accreditation requirements such as UKAS Accreditation to ISO 20387:2018.