Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Your role will be ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and the policies and procedures of the department.
You will work with other Support Staff to carry out the receipt, numbering, data entry, processing and preparation of specimens (urine, swabs, faeces, sputa and other body fluids and tissues) to aid the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease working within the main Microbiology and patient testing laboratories.
The microbiology department comprises of four disciplines or sections: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology and Molecular and handles approx. 366,000 specimens per year, of which 146,000 are covid samples. Service delivery is 24/7.
Main duties of the job
* Ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and the policies and procedures of the department.
* Support the scientific and technical work of qualified staff in the Microbiology main and near patient testing laboratories.
* Responsible for setting up and processing specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment and for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under the supervision of BMS.
Job responsibilities
Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.
Service Delivery:
* Work under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist within departmentally agreed policies relating to data entry and specimen handling and preparation.
* Assist in training of new or less experienced support staff.
* Rotate through assigned sections of the department as required.
* Plan and prioritise own workload.
* Adhere to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
* Perform test procedures as required after training.
* Undertake data entry of patient and diagnostic information using the Trust and laboratory IT systems.
* Attend laboratory meetings when appropriate.
* Promote a favourable departmental image by dealing courteously and effectively with members of the public and all other staff.
* Bench housekeeping and monitor certain equipment (e.g. fridges).
* Respond to telephone enquiries from staff in both primary and secondary care.
* Perform clerical duties as directed (filing, photocopying, labels, etc.).
* Take responsibility for own learning and development.
* Undergo all training as required for the above duties.
Technical:
* Sort specimens on arrival in the laboratory.
* Primary technical processing of samples including inoculating culture plates and setting up smears for microscopy.
* Use laboratory equipment under supervision and ensure it is maintained correctly.
* Operate certain analysers within the department under the supervision of Biomedical Scientist staff.
* Responsible for setting up and processing specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment.
* Responsible for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under the supervision of BMS.
Governance & Quality:
* Comply with quality standards determined by UKAS.
* Work within Quality Management System, departmentally agreed policies and SOPs.
* Report any deficiencies in Quality promptly to the Quality Lead and/or Quality Manager.
* Verify that full patient details are provided and that they correlate between sample and request.
* Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.
* Conduct basic audits as directed by senior staff.
Stock, Equipment and Other Resources:
* Ensure sufficient stocks are available to maintain service delivery.
* Deal with deliveries appropriately.
* Responsible for good stock rotation.
* Record batch numbers of each delivery of goods for quality and audit purposes.
* Assist with replenishment of in-use consumables.
* Inform the associate practitioner when stock is required.
* Responsible for stock-taking media supplies.
H&S / Risk:
* Ensure a safe working environment according to Laboratory Health and Safety Manual.
* Undergo all mandatory training as required by the Trust.
* Responsible for safe disposal of certain items of infectious waste.
* Responsible for safe packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories.
Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
* Understanding of the Data Protection Act.
* Understanding of Health & Safety in the workplace.
* Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures.
* Science Background.
* Use of the Winpath LIMS (laboratory information management system).
* Experience of Excel spreadsheets.
* Experience working in a Microbiology Lab.
Qualifications and training
* Strong interest in science (at least 1 GCSE in a science subject) OR previous laboratory experience.
* GCSE Maths.
* A level in a science subject.
* Knowledge across a range of laboratory procedures acquired through training to NVQ3 level or equivalent.
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.
Employer name
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
£24,071 to £25,674 a year (pro rata for part time)
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