Job summary
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA). We are lookingfor enthusiastic, well-motivated, innovative individuals to join our team in providing a quality microbiology service to our service users, within Microbiology laboratories located at Airedale General Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary Hospital sites.
Following full training the post holders will be an integral part of the Microbiology department; responsible for processing a variety of Microbiological samples using both manual and automated systems in routine bacteriology & molecular areas of the department. This will also include dealing with telephone calls from service users.
Evidence of any relevant existing Microbiology Laboratory experience within the application will be vital for shortlisting.
This advert may close early depending on the number of applications.
Interview date: Wednesday 19th July 2023 (on-site interview at Airedale NHSFT)
Main duties of the job
To work, under the direction of qualified staff, as part of the pathology team providing mutual support at all times ensuring that work is completed. Process clinical specimens for biological testing and associated supporting functions.
About us
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (ANSHFT), Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) have formed a joint venture, Integrated Pathology Solution (IPS), to provide a high-quality diagnostic and consultative service to clinical service users of all three Hospital Trusts, and to primary and secondary care providers within the locality.
Successful applicants will be directly employed by ANHST. The Trust is fully committed to its staff and actively encourages staff development with a keen focus on quality and continuous improvement.
The Microbiology Department at Airedale processes the work for both ANHSFT, BTHFT and community services, with the combined workload of approximately 400,000 requests per year.
We provide a comprehensive clinical and diagnostic service utilising automated technologies including Beckman Microscan automated sensitivity platform, Bruker MALDI-TOF, sediMAX urine analyser, BD Bactec FX, BD MGIT, Hologic Panther, AusDiagnostic and Cepheid platforms.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Under supervision, and following Standard Operating Procedures, the following duties may be carried out:o Undertake in-service trainingo Deal with telephone enquirieso Liaise with and despatch consumables to service userso Solve day to day problems e.g. mislabelled specimenso Sort and prepare work for diagnostic testingo Prioritise and fast track urgent and emergency worko Input PID and other data into the laboratory computero Maintain stocks of reagents and consumableso Prepare test materials, such as making up solutions of chemicalso Disposal of waste, including waste from the Category 3 Roomo Disinfection and cleaning of equipment and working areaso The routine maintenance of equipmento When appropriate assist in the training of new staffo Prepare media and ensure quality control including pre-acceptance testingo Assist in the culture of faeces, urine, swabs, aspirates and mycology specimens to include, tissues, fluidso Label and load blood culture sets received in the laboratoryo Assist in the environmental bacteriology work, including weekly sampling of Physiotherapy Pool waters and the monthly testing of Renal Dialysis waterso Retrieve and grow organisms stored on beads in the deep freezeo Sending away of specialist tests to reference laboratories in line with SOPo Scanning of reference laboratory reports into the digital storage solutiono Assist in receipt, labelling and pre-analytical processing in Molecular laboratoryo Complete maintenance and troubleshooting of analysers, as appropriate and described by SOP, e.g. routine maintenance of Hologic Panther
2. To participate in an annual Staff Development Review, Continual Professional Development and the educational activities of the Department.
3. To participate in monitoring Clinical Effectiveness and the audit activities of the Department and to contribute to the Trust procedures and activities in support of Clinical Governance.
4. To participate in ensuring that the Department complies with the requirements of UKAS accreditation to ISO15189:2012.
5. To be able to identify, handle safely, use and store all substances hazardous to health and comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
6. To co-operate with supervisors, managers and other employees to achieve a healthy and safe working environment, to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your actions, to carry out your responsibilities in ways that help to ensure a safe and healthy place of work.
7. To ensure the security at all times, including the risk from fire, of the Department.
8. To lift and manoeuvre light goods and equipment in accordance with manual handling regulations and good practice.
9. To deal politely and efficiently with any enquiries from staff, patients and any members of the public.
10. To work within the Trust Equal Opportunities Policy and promote equality of opportunity at work and equality of access to healthcare at all times.
11. To ensure confidentiality at all times, to be aware of the Data Protection Act in relation to all information concerning patients and to only release information to those acting in an official capacity as authorised by Trust and/or Departmental policy.
12. To participate in the out of hours MLA shift system on a rostered basis as and when required, including evening and weekend working, as well as overnight working for 24/7 processes such as PCR work in the molecular laboratory where applicable.
13. Any other duties necessary for the successful performance of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Under supervision, and following Standard Operating Procedures, the following duties may be carried out:o Undertake in-service trainingo Deal with telephone enquirieso Liaise with and despatch consumables to service userso Solve day to day problems e.g. mislabelled specimenso Sort and prepare work for diagnostic testingo Prioritise and fast track urgent and emergency worko Input PID and other data into the laboratory computero Maintain stocks of reagents and consumableso Prepare test materials, such as making up solutions of chemicalso Disposal of waste, including waste from the Category 3 Roomo Disinfection and cleaning of equipment and working areaso The routine maintenance of equipmento When appropriate assist in the training of new staffo Prepare media and ensure quality control including pre-acceptance testingo Assist in the culture of faeces, urine, swabs, aspirates and mycology specimens to include, tissues, fluidso Label and load blood culture sets received in the laboratoryo Assist in the environmental bacteriology work, including weekly sampling of Physiotherapy Pool waters and the monthly testing of Renal Dialysis waterso Retrieve and grow organisms stored on beads in the deep freezeo Sending away of specialist tests to reference laboratories in line with SOPo Scanning of reference laboratory reports into the digital storage solutiono Assist in receipt, labelling and pre-analytical processing in Molecular laboratoryo Complete maintenance and troubleshooting of analysers, as appropriate and described by SOP, e.g. routine maintenance of Hologic Panther
2. To participate in an annual Staff Development Review, Continual Professional Development and the educational activities of the Department.
3. To participate in monitoring Clinical Effectiveness and the audit activities of the Department and to contribute to the Trust procedures and activities in support of Clinical Governance.
4. To participate in ensuring that the Department complies with the requirements of UKAS accreditation to ISO15189:2012.
5. To be able to identify, handle safely, use and store all substances hazardous to health and comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
6. To co-operate with supervisors, managers and other employees to achieve a healthy and safe working environment, to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your actions, to carry out your responsibilities in ways that help to ensure a safe and healthy place of work.
7. To ensure the security at all times, including the risk from fire, of the Department.
8. To lift and manoeuvre light goods and equipment in accordance with manual handling regulations and good practice.
9. To deal politely and efficiently with any enquiries from staff, patients and any members of the public.
10. To work within the Trust Equal Opportunities Policy and promote equality of opportunity at work and equality of access to healthcare at all times.
11. To ensure confidentiality at all times, to be aware of the Data Protection Act in relation to all information concerning patients and to only release information to those acting in an official capacity as authorised by Trust and/or Departmental policy.
12. To participate in the out of hours MLA shift system on a rostered basis as and when required, including evening and weekend working, as well as overnight working for 24/7 processes such as PCR work in the molecular laboratory where applicable.
13. Any other duties necessary for the successful performance of the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Science, English or equivalent level qualification
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of following SOP's
- Previous Laboratory experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Organisational skills
- Good Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise work and work effectively under pressure
- Team player and able to work with a minimum of supervision
Desirable
- Health and safety legislation
- COSHH
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Science, English or equivalent level qualification
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of following SOP's
- Previous Laboratory experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Organisational skills
- Good Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to prioritise work and work effectively under pressure
- Team player and able to work with a minimum of supervision
Desirable
- Health and safety legislation
- COSHH
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.
