The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) role will be based in the department of Microbiology. We are looking for applicants with clinical laboratory experience to participate in the activities of the department.
The MLA will be expected to receive and collate patient samples when they first arrive in the laboratory. Also to prepare samples received by the laboratory for analysis. The MLA will work alongside a team of Associate practitioners, BMS, and Senior BMS.
The Medical Laboratory Assistant will participate primarily in night and late shifts and Saturday and Sunday work where appropriate.
Accurate computer entry of data onto specialized laboratory computer system.
1. Primary processing of swabs, sputa, faeces, urines, and other body fluids.
2. Loading and unloading of specialist automated detection systems e.g. blood culture system, as well as the processing of potentially infectious positive blood cultures.
3. Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests.
4. Examination of clinical samples for the purpose of selecting appropriate culture media.
5. Processing of hazardous category 3 (high Risk) samples, e.g. processing of tissue samples, pleural fluids, sputum, and bronchial lavages.
6. Carrying out staining procedures both manually and with the use of specialist staining machinery for detection of micro-organisms (e.g. Gram Stains).
7. Usage of anaerobic cabinets.
Knowledge, Training & Experience
1. Build upon the post holder's technical knowledge, training, and experience. Identifying training and development needs at annual appraisal.
2. Ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g., UKAS.
3. Maintain the knowledge necessary to assist with performing procedures during rotation through the laboratory sections as directed.
4. Gain the necessary knowledge and skills sufficient to work independently, with the minimum of supervision (within SOPs).
5. Maintain personal and professional development by attending training, lectures, study days, and workshops as and when relevant or as directed.
6. Read all relevant literature provided.
7. Maintain knowledge of operational policies and procedures through use of the departmental electronic notice board and document management system.
Communication & Relationship Skills
1. Deal sympathetically during liaison with colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and staff from external organisations.
2. Use empathy and understanding to ensure that technical, clinical, and linguistic barriers to understanding are overcome.
3. Report results to clinicians and other service users in a professional manner.
4. Provide advice to clinicians and other service users regarding specimen types as appropriate and directed.
5. Communicate any internal or external department difficulties, problems, accidents, or incidents affecting the department to a section leader/manager promptly.
Scientific & Technical Skills
1. Prepare specimens for diagnostic testing. This involves assessing the suitability and appropriateness of specimens submitted to the laboratory: sort, label, prioritise, and distribute specimens, data entry for patient data and test request, reject unsuitable specimens and requests onto LIMS / computer system, as per departmental procedures.
2. Refer problematic specimens to the appropriate line-manager or supervisor for further action if deemed necessary.
3. Develop knowledge of medical terms and acronyms to ensure that clinical details are correctly entered into the computer system when appropriate.
4. Use of LIMS computer system to gather set lists and extract information from LIMS database for general telephone enquiries by staff from other departments, surgeries, or hospitals as directed.
5. Scanning of request forms into computer database for storage as directed.
6. Has highly developed physical skills sufficient to operate a pipette with the required accuracy. Will have sufficient hand-eye coordination to move trays and racks around as required on large pieces of automated equipment.
7. Analyse, under supervision from qualified staff, specimens for screening, diagnostic, and clinical management of patients.
8. Perform method and instrument quality procedures, in accordance with Standard Operating procedures (SOPs), as directed and seeking guidance and referral to appropriate line-manager or supervisor for further action when necessary. Tasks will be departmental specific/dependent.
9. Perform basic troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance on specialist equipment.
10. Refer complex problems relating to breakdown/unavailability of analytical systems to the appropriate line-manager or supervisor.
11. Archive and store and retrieve specimens.
12. Use LIMS and specimen tracking databases to locate archived specimens that have work outstanding or retrospectively added.
13. Participate in record keeping, to include fridge/freezer monitoring, reagent inventory, and stock consumables control.
14. Identify and safely prepare clinical waste ready for disposal, and transfer to disposal area.
15. Preparation of calibrators, quality control materials, and reagents as directed.
16. Perform basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of Point of Care Testing (POCT) ward-based analytical systems as appropriate and directed.
Managerial & Supervisory
1. Participate in the review and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
2. Participate in the review and implementation of Departmental Policies.
3. Assist with the training, supervision, and coordination of support staff.
Resource Responsibility
1. Monitor and store consumables and reagents, use of laboratory stock control software and notifying supervisory staff where stocks are low.
2. Provide specialised items or supplies from the department, which have been requested by clients, to perform specific investigations as appropriate.
3. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the laboratory IT systems and take corrective action in the event of failure.
Quality
1. Participate in audit as and when required.
2. Read and acknowledge all documents as required on document management system.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more information.
This advert closes on Monday 31 Mar 2025.
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