Job responsibilities
JOB
DETAILS
Job
Title: Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level
Reports
to: Manager/ HPC Professional
Accountable
to: Laboratory Manager
Band:
3
Unit/Department:
Blood Bank
Directorate:
Pathology
Location[1]:
LGI /SJH
AfC
Job no: 1167
JOB
PURPOSE
To
be responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical Support
Workers within the section.
To
collect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic
specimens for testing.
To
undertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations,
following standard operating procedures, some of which may be under
supervision.
To
communicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff.
JOB
DIMENSIONS
As
a Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of the
departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a
range of routine and more complex 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. You will be required to communicate
information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues,
healthcare staff and other organisations.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In
order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have
successfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or other
equivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further your
knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in
house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous
professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills are
essential to carry out your work.
THE
LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our
values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this
as strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our
staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values
are:
Patient-centred,
Collaborative, Fair, Accountable, Empowered
All
our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally
the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
As
a healthcare worker dealing with sensitive (patient related) information the
importance and value of personal honesty and integrity as a commitment to
patient service and confidentiality will be recognised. In contributing to
the quality of a technical clinical service you will understand the
requirement to continuously develop appropriate skills and accumulate
relevant knowledge whether by formal or in- house training.
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
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As
the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
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, and breach of
security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and
radioactive materials.
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 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 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.
Infection
Control
The
jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal
Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and
after contact with patients and their environment.
Equality
and Diversity
The
jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure
equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the
individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are
staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of
their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion
etc.
Patient
and Public Involvement
The
Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and
planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of
patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training
and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development
Respect
for Patient Confidentiality
The
jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge
patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.
COMMUNICATION
& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
As
the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a
diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:
Internal
Junior
staff, colleagues, supervisors and managers within the speciality
Pathology
staff working in other specialities
Members
of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners
Administrative
and secretarial staff
External
Staff
in primary care facilities
Staff
in other hospitals
Staff
in non- NHS organisations (for example suppliers of consumables)
SPECIAL
WORKING CONDITIONS
As
the job holder you will be required to work in a clinical laboratory
environment. As such you will work under controlled conditions where chemical
and bio hazardous materials are handled. For your own safety you will be
required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this you
will receive training. Laboratory equipment. This task requires concentration
so that positive patient identification and personal safety are maintained
and equipment is not damaged. These periods of concentration will be daily
and may be prolonged subject to workload
EMOTIONAL
EFFORT:
In
normal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder and
exposure to emotional circumstances is limited
Subject
to the requirements of the speciality some patient contact may occur such as
in the collection of capillary blood samples from children.
WORKING
CONDITIONS:
The
job holder will be required to work with chemical and biological materials
such as blood, other body fluids, body tissue and faeces on every shift. The
working environment in a clinical laboratory is strictly controlled and under
normal circumstances these hazards are contained.
