Job summary
The successful post holder will assist HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS) at UHB Laboratories situated across four sites: QE, BHH, GHH and Sol providing support to all laboratory disciplines and sections, namely, Biochemistry, Immunology, Haematology, Microbiology, Cellular pathology, Mortuary and Molecular pathology.
As a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA), the post holder will ideally have some knowledge of biomedical procedures, and with appropriate training and completion of competences, will be responsible for processing patient specimens and maintaining the diagnostic pathway. Where appropriate, use of document control procedures, quality management systems, and SOPs will be mandatory and part of the daily routine. Knowing when to seek advice or escalate to a supervisor is expected.
Key tasks for a MLA include, but are not restricted to, receiving, sorting, labelling, and preparing specimens; resolving issues such as mislabelled or missing samples; performing reception duties; data entry (keyboard skills); dealing with telephone and routine enquiries; relaying test results to clinicians and other healthcare workers (as appropriate); and performing general housekeeping duties to keep the laboratory area clean and clutter-free.
Depending on competency assessment, the post holder may be required to operate specialist laboratory equipment.
Main duties, tasks & skills required
Reception Duties
* Handle and dispose of biological samples & hazardous chemicals safely following laboratory protocols.
* Collect, receive, record details & check condition of incoming goods.
* Receive, sort, check patient & request details, label, process, and dispatch patient samples according to departmental procedures.
* Prioritize urgent specimens & report errors/incidents to the team leader or manager as per departmental procedures.
* Store & monitor samples, consumables & reagents under appropriate conditions, maintaining stock levels according to departmental procedures.
Technical Duties
* Prepare reagents following standard operating procedures as directed by a supervisor or manager.
* Perform various laboratory tests requiring speed, accuracy, & good hand-eye coordination, such as handling pipettes, microtomy, using a centrifuge, & specialist equipment.
* Tidy and clean benches & work areas, decontaminate, & maintain laboratory equipment.
* Monitor & record equipment conditions, such as temperature, air flow, & chemical levels, & report any non-conformances to a supervisor or manager.
* File & scan paper & electronic records daily according to laboratory protocols.
* Record specimen details, ensure traceability, & update information on laboratory systems like Q-Pulse.
Health & Safety
* Adhere to the Directorate Health & Safety manual & participate in mandatory training.
* Report safety concerns, adverse incidents, & accidents to a supervisor or manager using the Trust's incident reporting system (RADAR).
About us
We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.
Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:
* Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
* Offering our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.
UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reaches their true potential, achieves their ambitions and thrives in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.
University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.
Job description
*Please Note: For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description.*
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Education to GCSE in English and Maths.
* NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
Desirable
* Completion of a medical laboratory assistant competency portfolio or evidence of laboratory working and competency.
Experience
Essential
Awareness of National Health Service.
* Awareness of the role of Medical Laboratories.
* Awareness of Health and Safety issues.
Desirable
Experience of working in clinical laboratories.
* Experience of laboratory techniques and automation.
* Experience of dealing with the public or customer care.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Expected to participate in all out of hours periods as required by service provision.
* Ability to handle blood and other bodily fluid samples.
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.
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