Post Description Higher Biomedical Support Workers are members of a large multidisciplinary laboratory team, therefore good team-working skills and a flexible approach to work are essential. Keyboard skills are important as there is a significant element of computerised specimen requesting and result handling. Main Tasks To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity when dealing with patients, services users, colleagues and members of the public. To promote a positive image of the Pathology and Calderdale & Huddersfield Foundation Trust at all times. To work cohesively with colleague, including external laboratories to ensure we give excellent patient care at all times. Working collaboratively with the wider Blood Sciences team to ensure safe and efficient daily operation of service. To greet and welcome all visitors to Pathology. This may involve escorting visitors to the correct location, taking receipt of samples from patients or service users, offering help or advice to colleagues or receiving deliveries of goods into the department. Ensure deliveries into the department are done safely following manual handling protocols and ensuring the correct use of equipment. To follow standard precautions for Infection Prevention Control at all times, including good hand hygiene. To receive and sort clinical samples on arrival, ensuring the receipt time is documented clearly following laboratory policy. To check samples for integrity and priority ensuring urgent, time limited or unstable samples are processed or stabilised immediately on receipt. Follow policy to reject any samples that do not meet the MDS policy e.g. unlabeled, incorrectly labelled, missing or mislaid samples To label samples and request forms with laboratory barcodes. If the samples are already labelled with EPR barcodes ensure they are labelled correctly with the correct corresponding labels to tubes. Be aware of and process samples in line with agreed turnaround times for reporting results. To correctly store, retrieve and dispose of clinical specimens. To print and manage Work files for referral work, ensuring samples are processed in a timely manner. To create shipment and shipping manifests in NPEX for referral work. To electronically dispatch specimens prior to transporting them. Be responsible for the preparation and packaging to P650 transportation standard for biological specimens when being referred to a referral laboratorys for analysis. To ensure all samples that have been referred for analysis are marked as Pending in the LIMS system. To maintain adequate levels of laboratory consumables within the department. Participate in flexible working arrangements as required by the needs of the service. To provide confidential, specialised and sensitive diagnostic test results over the telephone to service users. To accurately retrieve and or relay details from the LIMS when answering telephone or other queries. Ensuring patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. Training and Development Comprehensive training will be provided; all Higher Biomedical Support Workers must be willing and able to learn new skills and techniques Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of routine work and maintain competency levels. Competency assessments and reassessments will be in place for all areas of activity. Records will be kept of all training and competency assessments carried out in this role. To assist with the training and development of new starters. To participate in continued professional development. Health and Safety Wear PPE provided and follow IPC measures, including hand hygiene at all time. Follow the health and safety training you have been given. Ensure adherence to the safety policies of Pathology and the Trust. Be aware of the inherent hazards in the workplace, and to take adequate precautions to prevent them. To work with great care at all times and to report any new risks encountered or accidents to the Laboratory Manager and the Pathology Health and Safety Manager. Take care of your own and other peoples health and safety within the laboratory and wider workplace. To observe and adhere to the Pathology security policy. Disposal of clinical waste in accordance with Health and Safety and COSSH Guidelines. Follow correct procedure with regards to biological spills and leaked samples. Follow COSHH assessments for laboratory chemicals To be responsible, in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Health and Safety procedures, for the safe disposal of clinical laboratory waste. To maintain a clean and safe working environment using appropriate disinfectants and cleaning materials Scientific and Technical Assess the suitability of laboratory Pathological specimens for analysis. Make assessments of samples on receipt in conjunction with clinical details to ensure appropriate tests are carried out. To ensure patients samples follow the clinical pathways as defined in SOPs, to ensure the validity of analyser test results by ensuring good quality assurance processes. Prepare samples for processing including labelling, centrifugation, aliquotting, Pipetting, acidifying, weighing and warming. Ensure samples are received within the correct time limitations and conditions and report any that are not accordingly and promptly. Collect, receive and load specimens onto the correct analysers using appropriate racks. Weigh and measure urine volumes and make solutions up accurately. Document weights and measurements accurately and correctly on laboratory logs and in the LIMS to ensure patient results are recorded and calculated accurately. To be able to process quality controls and report findings accordingly to a senior member of staff. Receive samples from external laboratories and book them in using the manifest or requests provided. Calibrating of PH Meters prior to preparing 24 hour urines Monitor fridge/freezer and ambient room temperature for the department. Raise any findings to the supervisor or manager. Decontaminating centrifuges, fridges, and safety cabinet. Communicate with clinical staff regarding sample queries, integrity, abnormal results, outstanding results or reports. Oversee the pre-analytical process of Dynamic Function Tests, ensuring the sample collection process is being followed. To understand appropriate confirmation and additional tests which are required and to liaise with appropriate laboratories. To have knowledge of where tests are performed and refer samples to the appropriate laboratories for analysis. Take part in the annual stock take. Programming and cleaning laboratory centrifuges. Pre-analytical processing of low risk biological samples within a safety cabinet, following protocol. Perform basic troubleshooting and fault finding processes. To perform temperature monitoring of fridges, freezers and ambient temperatures within the laboratory on a daily basis. Filing and retrieving samples in the Pathology Track It system. Complete sample audit logs. Complete laboratory error logs. To accurately transcribe patient results in to the LIMS system and to check the transcriptions of colleagues to ensure accuracy and precision of reporting at all times. To manage outstanding workloads and chase pending referral work as and when required. To organise transportation of specimens in a timely manner using the correct storage and packaging to maintain sample stability whilst in transit. Maintain supplies of dry ice and handle accordingly following COSHH assessments. Help formulate or change SOPs and laboratory instructions with a qualified BMS or Central Services Manager. Propose changes within own work area to aid service delivery. Support implementation of changes to practice within the department. Provide advice and guidance to junior staff members working within the department. IT Use the LIMS to input patient demographic and book samples into the laboratory. Use the LIMS to pull outstanding worklists for referral work Use the EPR system to print laboratory barcodes, investigate tests requested and view clinical details or patient data. Use the results enquiry facility on the LIMS to relay tests results to the clinical team. Use the National Spine to confirm patient demographics and historical PID. Use ICE to view outstanding requests or orders when troubleshooting samples. Use NPEX to receive and send samples to and from referral laboratories. Produce patients report copies from the departmental IT system. Clerical and Administration Assist with reviewing SOPs, LIs and LFs within the department and proposing changes to current processes. To accurately transcribe and input patient and test information in the LIMS. Provide medical personnel with patient results, within professional guidelines. Scan and retrieve request forms. Making enquires to referral hospitals with regards to test codes or sample requirements. Transfer incoming enquires to the relevant disciplines or personnel. Accurately take messages over the telephone to inform work colleagues or other departments and ensure these are passed on and actioned in a timely manner. File completed work files and shipping manifests. Complete telephone call logs. Office duties include filing and distribution of reports to G.P surgeries, ward and other locations as required. Produce patients report copies. Managing Self Participate in regular supervision. Attend all mandatory training. Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal. Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols. Carry out duties with due regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity Policy. Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary. Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.