Job summary
We are looking for professional, passionate and innovative people to join our friendly and hardworking team.
Applicants should have an interest in healthcare science. You must possess a wide range of skills demonstrating good numeracy and literacy, a high standard of verbal and written English, computer, keyboard skills and attention to detail. A degree of physical effort is required and potential applicants must be able to multi-task work well under pressure and have aflexible approach to working hours/duties.
The successful applicant will work full time hours as part of a team supporting both the clerical and laboratory needs of Microbiology. Following training and competency assessment, the successful applicant will be required to participate in all shifts to support the 24/7 service; including early, and late shifts as well as weekends. Your duties will include the receipt and booking of patients samples on to the laboratory information system, the movement of samples to the appropriate testing area, equipment monitoring and the dispatch of samples to referral centres.
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity and possess the following skills, then we want to hear from you.
- Demonstrable interpersonal skills - must be able demonstrate working as part of a team and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Integrity and personal credibility putting the patient first in everything that is undertaken.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as a laboratory assistant to provide support to the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.
Working patterns will be on a shift basis and commenced when competent on a particular work area. You will be expected to work 37.5 hours per week, between the hours of 9 a.m. - 17:30 p.m. Monday to Sunday in line with local laboratory hours (currently 0900-1730 Mon-Fri, with rostered support of late shift to 1830 and 1:4 weekend cover). In addition, on a rotational basis working in our Covid testing laboratory which operates 24/7
- Works as part of Laboratory Team
- Job holder would be expected to rotate through various managed units within Microbiology
- The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
- Maintain and promote professional image of pathology department
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job summary
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) provide an essential role within all Pathology disciplines. This role involves the preparation and processing of patient samples. In addition, at WSFT we aim to embed quality within all Pathology teams and this will form a significant part of the MLA role.
- Performs a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science activities under supervision, e.g. performs standard laboratory tests.
- Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out.
- Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees.
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties in reflection of service needs. This may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.
- The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
- Maintain and promote professional image of pathology department
NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence
Key working relationships
Laboratory Managers
Quality Manager
Laboratory Quality Leads
Laboratory Training Officers
Laboratory Health & Safety Link Persons
Pathology colleagues
Other healthcare colleagues
Job responsibilities
Technical and scientific:
- Under supervision, perform a range of manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations accurately and efficiently.
- Responsible for sample receipt, numbering and data entry on to the computer system. Use own judgement to identify, action and report mislabelled or mislaid specimens, unsuitable sample or process failure.
- Supports quality control processes.
- Participate in the day to day management of stock control and usage.
- Assist in the introduction of new techniques.
- Clean and maintain equipment to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
- Report any equipment faults to a biomedical scientist.
- Participate in processing samples for Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.
Communication:
- Communicates with colleagues and clinicians, e.g. provides test results by telephone as appropriate.
- Undertake reception duties, including communication with patients.
Information resources:
- Records test results/maintains integrity, accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by self.
- Be able to record test results on the computer and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures.
- To ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to Data Protection Act and Caldicott Guidelines.
- Be able to use Laboratory Information system, email, internet and automated operating systems, and other software packages as required.
Quality/Governance/Risk Management:
- Follow policies and procedures ensuring that the quality management system is complied with.
- Comment on proposals for change to appropriate policies and Standard Operating Procedures within own area.
- Assist in audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements within own area.
- Complete incident forms where appropriate.
Education, Training and Development:
- Support less experienced and other staff where required and demonstrates own work.
- Participates in appraisal process in line with current policies.
- Participate in continual professional development.
- Responsible for personal education, training and competencies.
Leadership and line management responsibilities:
- Expected to carry out own workload unsupervisedwith senior colleague/manager available if required.
- Organises own work.
- Organise and allocate work for less experienced staff when required.
Health and Safety:
- Work in a safe manner, in accordance with Trust and laboratory safety policies, using protective equipment and other control measures required.
- Work safely with corrosive, flammable and other hazardous chemicals and gases.
- Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
- Report accidents/incidents and near misses according to the laboratory/Trust protocol.
Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the Trust on any matters of health and safety.
Other responsibilities:
The post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post. Additional responsibilities will be assigned to the post holder depending on the needs of the service. These responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holders agreement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job summary
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) provide an essential role within all Pathology disciplines. This role involves the preparation and processing of patient samples. In addition, at WSFT we aim to embed quality within all Pathology teams and this will form a significant part of the MLA role.
- Performs a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science activities under supervision, e.g. performs standard laboratory tests.
- Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out.
- Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees.
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties in reflection of service needs. This may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.
- The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
- Maintain and promote professional image of pathology department
NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence
Key working relationships
Laboratory Managers
Quality Manager
Laboratory Quality Leads
Laboratory Training Officers
Laboratory Health & Safety Link Persons
Pathology colleagues
Other healthcare colleagues
Job responsibilities
Technical and scientific:
- Under supervision, perform a range of manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations accurately and efficiently.
- Responsible for sample receipt, numbering and data entry on to the computer system. Use own judgement to identify, action and report mislabelled or mislaid specimens, unsuitable sample or process failure.
- Supports quality control processes.
- Participate in the day to day management of stock control and usage.
- Assist in the introduction of new techniques.
- Clean and maintain equipment to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
- Report any equipment faults to a biomedical scientist.
- Participate in processing samples for Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.
Communication:
- Communicates with colleagues and clinicians, e.g. provides test results by telephone as appropriate.
- Undertake reception duties, including communication with patients.
Information resources:
- Records test results/maintains integrity, accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by self.
- Be able to record test results on the computer and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures.
- To ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to Data Protection Act and Caldicott Guidelines.
- Be able to use Laboratory Information system, email, internet and automated operating systems, and other software packages as required.
Quality/Governance/Risk Management:
- Follow policies and procedures ensuring that the quality management system is complied with.
- Comment on proposals for change to appropriate policies and Standard Operating Procedures within own area.
- Assist in audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements within own area.
- Complete incident forms where appropriate.
Education, Training and Development:
- Support less experienced and other staff where required and demonstrates own work.
- Participates in appraisal process in line with current policies.
- Participate in continual professional development.
- Responsible for personal education, training and competencies.
Leadership and line management responsibilities:
- Expected to carry out own workload unsupervisedwith senior colleague/manager available if required.
- Organises own work.
- Organise and allocate work for less experienced staff when required.
Health and Safety:
- Work in a safe manner, in accordance with Trust and laboratory safety policies, using protective equipment and other control measures required.
- Work safely with corrosive, flammable and other hazardous chemicals and gases.
- Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
- Report accidents/incidents and near misses according to the laboratory/Trust protocol.
Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the Trust on any matters of health and safety.
Other responsibilities:
The post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post. Additional responsibilities will be assigned to the post holder depending on the needs of the service. These responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holders agreement.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- oGCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent
Desirable
- oAppropriate NVQ level 3/diploma
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- oAwareness of the work performed in a hospital laboratory.
Desirable
- oPractical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory
- oKnowledge of Pathology IT systems
- oPrevious relevant experience of working in the NHS
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oGood verbal and written communication skills.
- oDemonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team.
- oAbility to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
- oManual dexterity appropriate to activities associated with post.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oHigh level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- oStrives for excellence.
- Ability to work independently
- oFlexible approach to working hours/duties.
- oAbility to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- oPuts the patient first in everything that is undertaken.
- oAwareness of self and impact on others.
- oAble to work with body fluids and hazardous materials.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- oGCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent
Desirable
- oAppropriate NVQ level 3/diploma
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- oAwareness of the work performed in a hospital laboratory.
Desirable
- oPractical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory
- oKnowledge of Pathology IT systems
- oPrevious relevant experience of working in the NHS
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oGood verbal and written communication skills.
- oDemonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team.
- oAbility to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
- oManual dexterity appropriate to activities associated with post.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- oHigh level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- oStrives for excellence.
- Ability to work independently
- oFlexible approach to working hours/duties.
- oAbility to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- oPuts the patient first in everything that is undertaken.
- oAwareness of self and impact on others.
- oAble to work with body fluids and hazardous materials.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
