ABOUT THE ROLE
To work in a team of support staff playing a crucial role in the reception and preparation of patient samples and requests, to facilitate the provision of a quality and timely diagnostic and monitoring service essential for patient care to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust/The Hillingdon Hospitals Trust/Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• Assist and support registered Healthcare Scientists in providing a professional laboratory service.
• Contribute to the efficient and effective running of department and sections as appropriate.
• Demonstrate politeness, courtesy, and sensitivity in interactions with patients, visitors, and colleagues, ensuring a positive image of NWLP/Trust.
• Work cohesively with department team members to deliver exceptional patient services and contribute to the sharing of best practices across the NWLP.
• Promptly communicate any issues, incidents, or concerns to the section leader/manager and participate in departmental meetings to enhance internal communication.
• Attend to Trust staff, patients, and the public delivering samples or seeking advice, ensuring proper referral of inquiries and complaints to senior staff as needed.
• Manage visitor access to the department with discretion, maintaining a visitor log as required.
• Take receipt of samples for all Pathology departments, including prioritising requests for urgent work.
• Sort samples and requests into different Pathology categories, to be ready for collection by staff from all Pathology disciplines.
• For all requests, receive or enter patient demographics, test request information, collection date and time and clinical details comments, taking responsibility for accuracy of new information entered onto the Pathology laboratory system.
• Participate in the reception, identification, preparation, and separation into secondary containers, of blood and urine samples prior to analysis, and safe use of acid (HCL) and Dry ice by observing departmental health & safety policy in relation to handling potentially infectious pathological samples and materials.
• Use laboratory equipment such as automatic pipettes, balances and centrifuges accurately and safely, and record refrigerator temperatures.
• To understand and perform your work in accordance with the standard operational policies using basic theoretical knowledge.
• Ensure that documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records)
• Be able to solve basic problems within work area and refer unresolved problems to a more senior member of staff.
• To sort, label and aliquot specimens quickly and accurately and know how to follow policy on mislabelled and mislaid specimens.
• To attend and contribute to relevant departmental meetings and contribute any new ideas through the staff suggestions pathway.
• Be familiar with the Health and Safety policies of the Trust and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
• Report all incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors to a senior member of staff in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
Essential Skills and Experience
• Must have good communication skills
• Must be flexible to work throughout the week.
**Work locations to be confirmed (Wembley, Hammersmith, Charing Cross, Paddington)**