Job responsibilities
General Duties:
Deal with samples within the section using own initiative and dealing with matters independently where possible, referring to senior members of staff for guidance when necessary. This includes checking all samples before processing for identification, status and suitability for diagnostic investigation.
Operate pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical equipment as defined by Standard Operating Procedures.
Carry out routine equipment maintenance, calibration and basic troubleshooting on analysers throughout the laboratory to ensure correct functioning and to complete log sheets as required.
Perform quality control analysis according to SOPs to ensure accuracy and precision is maintained.
Log any errors or incidences and record remedial action taken.
Training of staff as and when required.
Supervising junior staff in allocation of duties.
Identify and expediteurgent and priority specimens.
Assist in performing biochemical analysis of biological specimens to aid the diagnosis and monitoring of, or screening for, a disease process, thereby assisting in the effective clinical management of patients by medical and nursing staff.
To undertake biomedical analysis on specimens using either manual or automated techniques.
To check, locate and process specimens identified from work outstanding or overdue lists.
Assist in audit and risk assessment.
Dealing with telephone queries and giving out authorised results according to protocols that protect patient confidentiality.
Undertake general house keeping as specified in the SOPs. Including stock control, ordering, receipt and distribution or storage of stock deliveries and safe disposal of specimens and materials according to departmental policies.
To prepare biological specimens for analysis, ensuring that samples are correctly matched with request forms and handled in a manner appropriate to the investigation requested and urgency indicated, thereby ensuring optimum sample integrity and a response that meets clinical need. Also, to ensure samples from patients identified as posing a high-risk are labelled with appropriate stickers and are handled in accordance with departmental procedures, thereby minimising risk to other staff members as well as oneself.
To accurately enter patient and request data onto the departmental Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), making suitable amendments as required, so as to enable the performance of appropriate or indicated investigation(s) of biological samples, and the issue of reports to the source of the request, within identified timescales. To be proficient in the routine use of the LIMS.
To operate pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical instrumentation in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that such items are used in a manner which enables accurate and valid biochemical data to be produced in a timely fashion thereby assisting medical and nursing staff in the care of patients.
In the event of instrument failure / breakdown, to attempt remedial intervention within limits of knowledge and capability; otherwise, having sought advice from senior staff within the department, to promptly contact supplier for advice / support. In the event of an extended period of instrument inactivity, to inform Chief Biomedical Scientist and Clinical Scientists / Consultants regarding service implications and to implement departmental contingency plans.
To prepare chemical reagents and stock solutions for use in the analysis of biological specimens as directed and according to departmental procedures.
To store and retain all samples in accordance with departmental procedures so that if additional investigations are necessary the sample is readily available in a condition fit for analysis. To take appropriate steps for the storage and disposal of identified high-risk samples.
To discard patient samples and confidential information in accordance with departmental procedures and timescales, ensuring clinical waste is appropriately identified for correct means of disposal to minimise environmental impact.
To work in accordance with and maintain adherence to the safety standards outlined in the departmental Health and Safety Policy thereby ensuring that the laboratory complies with regulatory requirements and is a safe, secure, clean and tidy working environment.
To work in all sections of the laboratory, as directed or according to planned rotation
To work to and ensure the maintenance of high analytical standards throughout the department enabling the timely issue of accurate, relevant and valid reports to medical and nursing staff.
To act in accordance with departmental Internal Quality Control (IQC) procedures so that results generated are issued with confidence in their validity.
To maintain an up-to-date awareness and understanding of data provided by participation of the laboratory in appropriate External Quality Assurance (EQA) schemes.
To develop an understanding of the function and use of Information Technology and to apply this knowledge in day-to-day practice. This includes the use of spreadsheets, databases, word processing tools and electronic communications.
To respond to telephone calls from medical and nursing staff within the hospital or staff from surgeries and clinics so that requests for results, additional / urgent investigations and technical advice are dealt with to the satisfaction of the caller within limits of personal knowledge, capability and authority, referring calls to senior staff as appropriate. To give out results, both authorised and unauthorised (where appropriate), but only to appropriate staff as identified in the departmental Telephoning of Results procedure. To refer requests for clinical advice to Clinical Scientists / Consultants, as appropriate, so as to ensure correct information is relayed to service users. To respond to any complaints that arise courteously, resolving issues in accordance with ability and authority, or to refer complainants to appropriate senior staff.
To assist staff in, or visitors to the laboratory as directed, providing support and utilising organisational skills, thereby enabling staff to work to required standards.
To participate in mandatory training thus enabling the Trust to satisfy its regulatory requirements as an employer.
To participate in and contribute to regular general departmental meetings, which involve all staff to ensure that clear lines of communication are established and maintained, thereby enabling discussion of and appropriate reaction to all issues pertaining to service provision and staff interests.
To work in conjunction with all other staff, as directed, to achieve and maintain UKAS accreditation status, which demonstrates that the work carried out within the department is to clearly defined and nationally recognised high standards.
To participate in departmental Quality Management activities in a manner commensurate with post.
To be familiar with the Pathology Directorate Quality Policy and to ensure its consistent application to all departmental activities.
To work under the direction of the departmental Quality Manager and/or Quality Leads in ensuring the effective implementation of the departmental Quality Management System (QMS).
To maintain familiarity and practise in accordance with the SOPs for all relevant laboratory procedures.
To participate in departmental quality improvement initiatives.
To participate in scheduled audit activities. The programme of activities shall include horizontal, vertical and examination audits, in addition to internal audit of the QMS.
To identify and alert senior staff to any non-conformances to optimal / required practice.
To participate in the implementation and review of appropriate remedial, corrective and/or preventative measures in response to reported non-conformances.
To participate in the maintaining of records, for all staff of whatever grade, which indicate both training received and the outcome of any assessment(s) of competence, for all relevant laboratory procedures.
To participate in training activities so that own competence to practise in the laboratory is demonstrably maintained through on-going assessment, as appropriate.
To ensure sufficient supplies of reagents and laboratory consumables are always in stock in area of work and to take appropriate action or inform Senior/Chief Biomedical Scientist if reduced quantities are observed so that service delivery is not compromised.
To actively respond to service developments within the department..
To maintain awareness of the Trusts Major Incident Plan and respond appropriately if the plan is invoked at any time whilst on duty.
Any other duties deemed necessary to maintain an efficient Clinical Biochemistry service.
This job description will be subject to annual review and may be amended as necessary following consultation with the post-holder.
