Laboratory Support Worker

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Applications are invited for the post of laboratory support worker to work primarily in the John Radcliffe Hospital Biochemistry Laboratory, which is part of the Clinical Biochemistry Department of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Full time and Part time hours will be considered. Full time hours are mainly 9:00 to 17:30 but shift options can include early (6:30) or late (13:00) starting. Part time working needs to match our busy times in the afternoon and early evening. There would be a requirement to work occasional night and weekend duties. You will provide assistance in the specimen reception area where duties include preparation and sorting of patient samples, requesting information onto the laboratory computer system and general house keeping of the area. Occasional light physical work is required. Characteristics we are seeking include an attention to detail and common sense. Keyboard skills and experience in a laboratory or hospital environment would be advantageous. Training will be provided to enable the role to be fulfilled.

Main duties of the job

Preparing specimens (mainly but not exclusively blood and urine) for analysis in the diagnostic laboratories of the hospital.

Most patients in the hospital and many patients in general practice will require laboratory tests to diagnose or monitor treatment for a range of conditions. All the specimens need careful handling when arriving into the laboratory and during preparation for testing. This job - a laboratory support worker - will undertake this critical role that required to support patient care.

We receive samples 24 hours a day for critically important testing for those patients arriving in ED or newborn babies through to routine monitoring tests in primary care for common conditions.

About us

The laboratories support all clinical services across healthcare. Over 400 technical, scientific and medical staff are employed in these services in a range of laboratory specialties. This particular post is within the main blood sciences laboratory within the John Radcliffe Hospital. You will be joining a very busy area, which can process over 10,000 specimen per day and a large team (of around 40 staff).

Joining the laboratories in OUH means you get all the benefits of working within the NHS.

Date posted

09 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£23,615 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

321-CSS-6473489-B2

Job locations

John Radcliffe Hospital

Headington

Oxford

OX3 9DU

Job description

Job responsibilities

Staff: Support new staff during their training

Equipment: Be proficient in the use, maintenance and monitoring of the equipment as required and specified by the Departments.

Problem solving: Solve day-to-day problems e.g. mislabelled and lost samples

Personal responsibility for:

To act as the first point of contact for the pathology department, dealing with a wide range of enquiries including confidential matters.

To receive and assess the suitability of laboratory pathological specimens for analysis.

To check patient identification details and assign a laboratory number.

To distribute specimens to relevant pathology sections, fast-tracking urgent, clinic, and labile samples as appropriate.

To input patient demographics, clinical details and assay requests into the laboratory computer system.

Preparation of samples for diagnostic testing, including centrifugation, aliquoting and allocation to appropriate analyser racking.

Printing, sorting and despatching of laboratory reports.

Distribution of Pathology consumables from main stores.

To maintain confidentiality of information regarding the patient at all times.

To assist in keeping the workplace clean and tidy, including preparation of laboratory disinfectants.

To work within the Pathology Reception Standard Operating Procedures and general laboratory policies and procedures.

Is fully conversant with appropriate departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation and other professional standards.

Material assets:

To perform basic stock control duties and to alert the senior staff

of low or excessive stocks.

Risk prevention

To help in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products and to assist with the daily cleaning of the work surfaces within the laboratory.

Work within Health and Safety guidelines at all times.

Maintaining confidentiality