Job summary
Band 4 - Blood Sciences Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Supervisor Post
Permanent contract - 37.5h per week.
Main hours will be Mon - Fri 1130 - 2000. Must be available to cover weekend and night shifts when all other options have been exhausted.
(NOTE - there is no sponsorship available for this role).
The Pathology department at Stepping Hill Hospital (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) is seeking a Medical Laboratory assistant to join the Blood Sciences team to assist with processing samples that arrive in the lab in the evenings. The successful applicant(s) would be joining a friendly and passionate staffing group providing diagnostic services to the hospital patients and wider community.
The role supports the delivery of Blood Sciences services. The ideal candidate will be expected to supervise the MLA team, carry out and assign day to day work in the Pathology Specimen Reception areas. Ensuring best practice and adherence to Trust and departmental policies and procedures. The post holder will be responsible for the training and competency assessment of the MLA team. They will also ensure staffing and other resources are appropriately utilised to ensure 24/7 service provision and ensuring samples are processed based on their priority status to achieve departmental objective and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Main duties of the job
Supervise, carry out and assign MLA team activities and duties in all specimen reception areas to ensure workflow turnaround time (TAT) targets are achieved.
Manage the 24/7 MLA rota to ensure it is adequately staffed and shifts are covered. Including approving and declining annual leave and covering sickness absences to ensure service provision.
Conduct daily MLA huddles to cascade information and acquire team feedback for escalation to Technical Heads of Department and/or Senior BMS.
Deliver and coordinate training and competency assessment of the MLA team.
Ensure relevant departmental and Trust processes are followed in accordance with SOPs and policies such as Specimen Acceptance Policy and departmental H&S policies.
First line sickness management duties for MLA team i.e. logging sickness absences in accordance with Trust policy and escalating this to Senior BMS and THOD.
Support with Trust appraisal process for MLA Team along with Senior BMS and THODs.
Support with recruitment and selection processes for new MLA team members.
Ensuring equipment e.g. POCT devices and centrifuges are maintained appropriately.
Monitoring and ordering of relevant stock and inventory where appropriate.
FOR DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION AND ALL MAIN RESPONSBILITIES OF THE BAND 4 BLOOD SCIENCES MLA SUPERVISOR ROLE, PLEASE SEE THE ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description
Job responsibilities
For detailed job description and main responsibilities of the Band 4 Blood Sciences MLA Supervisor role, please see the accompanying job description and person specification.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For detailed job description and main responsibilities of the Band 4 Blood Sciences MLA Supervisor role, please see the accompanying job description and person specification.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- GCSE (or equivalent) at level C (grade 4/5) in 4 subjects including Maths, English, Science and IT.
Desirable
- A level qualifications in relevant Science subjects
Knowledge
Essential
- Awareness of patient and staff confidentiality
- Knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of co-ordinating and supervising a team and staff management delivering training and competency checks.
- Experience of working as part of a team in a busy environment
Desirable
- At least 1-year previous NHS laboratory experience
- Experience of working in NHS
- Experience of problem solving and implementing change
- Experience with using Pathology LIMS system
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to oversee and supervise work of others
- Able to follow written instructions effectively and consistently
- Able to accurately record information electronically and in written form with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to manage own time to complete an allocated task.
- Computer keyboard skills
- Proficient computer skills including knowledge and use of Microsoft Office programmes
- Good Interpersonal skills, including good verbal communications, telephone manner and able to deal with colleagues and service users compassionately.
- Must be motivated and have a positive attitude to teamwork.
- Reliable and works to high standards
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative where appropriate.
- Able to communicate effectively with staff of different disciplines.
- Remain calm and logical under pressure and able to cope with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
- Willingness to undertake training and personal development as required.
Work Related
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Able to handle and process a variety of clinical samples e.g. urine, faeces, blood, sputum
- Able to participate in early/late and weekend rotas to meet the needs of the service when required.
- Able to participate in night rota to meet the needs of the service when required.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- GCSE (or equivalent) at level C (grade 4/5) in 4 subjects including Maths, English, Science and IT.
Desirable
- A level qualifications in relevant Science subjects
Knowledge
Essential
- Awareness of patient and staff confidentiality
- Knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of co-ordinating and supervising a team and staff management delivering training and competency checks.
- Experience of working as part of a team in a busy environment
Desirable
- At least 1-year previous NHS laboratory experience
- Experience of working in NHS
- Experience of problem solving and implementing change
- Experience with using Pathology LIMS system
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to oversee and supervise work of others
- Able to follow written instructions effectively and consistently
- Able to accurately record information electronically and in written form with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to manage own time to complete an allocated task.
- Computer keyboard skills
- Proficient computer skills including knowledge and use of Microsoft Office programmes
- Good Interpersonal skills, including good verbal communications, telephone manner and able to deal with colleagues and service users compassionately.
- Must be motivated and have a positive attitude to teamwork.
- Reliable and works to high standards
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to use initiative where appropriate.
- Able to communicate effectively with staff of different disciplines.
- Remain calm and logical under pressure and able to cope with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
- Willingness to undertake training and personal development as required.
Work Related
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Able to handle and process a variety of clinical samples e.g. urine, faeces, blood, sputum
- Able to participate in early/late and weekend rotas to meet the needs of the service when required.
- Able to participate in night rota to meet the needs of the service when required.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
