Medical Laboratory Assistant Pre Analytics Blood Sciences

Job description

Job responsibilities

To accurately enter patient and request data onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), making appropriate amendments as required, so as to enable the performance of appropriate or indicated investigation(s) of biological specimens, and the issue of reports to the source of the request, within identified timescales. A high degree of accuracy is required to ensure correct and complete clinical information is recorded so a correct interpretation of results can be made.

To be proficient in all aspects of the routine use of the LIMS, in accordance with departmental procedures.

Upkeep of stock in specimen reception area and perform general housekeeping duties.

Carries out audits as required through quality management system and completes non-conformance records and submits to the senior BMS/Quality Lead.

To respond to telephone calls from medical and nursing staff within the hospital, or staff from surgeries and clinics, so that requests for results, additional/urgent investigations and technical advice are dealt with to the satisfaction of the caller, in accordance with departmental procedures and within limits of knowledge and capability, referring calls to qualified / senior staff as appropriate. To give out authorised results only, but only to appropriate staff as identified in the departmental Telephoning of Results procedure. To refer requests for technical advice to qualified Biomedical Scientists, as appropriate; to refer requests for clinical advice to Clinical Scientists / Consultants, as appropriate this is to ensure correct information is relayed to service users. To respond to any complaints that arise courteously, referring complainants to appropriate senior staff in all instances.

To co-ordinate and participate in the scanning of request forms so that electronic images are readily available for the technical validation / clinical interpretation of results.

To ensure the document scanner is maintained fit for use at all times and to work in conjunction with senior BMS staff to ensure that any malfunctions are addressed and rectified promptly.

To ensure request forms, and any other documents containing confidential information, are retained and discarded in accordance with Trust and departmental procedures. To be familiar and practise in accordance with Data Protection regulations.

To assist senior staff within the department with general office and laboratory duties.

To take receipt of incoming mail and distribute throughout the department.

To work in accordance with and maintain adherence to the safety standards outlined in the departmental Health and Safety Policy, thereby ensuring that the laboratory complies with regulatory requirements and is a safe, secure, clean and tidy working environment.

To read, understand and practise in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all relevant tasks performed within the laboratory so as to ensure that such tasks are performed in a manner consistent with departmental policies.

To respond appropriately to requests for laboratory consumables from wards, clinics and GP surgeries.

To develop an understanding of the function and use of Information Technology and electronic communications.

To work under the direct and indirect supervision of qualified staff within the department. Direct supervision involves the provision of detailed training in all aspects of a procedure, with work being closely monitored and assessed. Indirect supervision occurs when the post holder has clearly demonstrated consistent competence in all aspects of a procedure and is directed to work with close inspection of practice no longer required.

To participate in mandatory training thus enabling the Trust to satisfy its regulatory requirements as an employer.

To participate in and contribute to regular general departmental meetings that involve all staff to ensure that clear lines of communication are established and maintained thereby enabling discussion of and appropriate reaction to all issues pertaining to service provision and staff interests.

To work in conjunction with all other staff, as directed, to achieve and maintain UKAS accreditation status, which demonstrates that the work carried out within the department is to clearly defined and nationally recognised high standards.

To participate in departmental Quality Management activities in a manner commensurate with the post.

To be familiar with the Pathology Directorate Quality Policy and to ensure its consistent application to all departmental activities.

To work under the direction of the departmental Quality Manager and/or Quality Leads in ensuring the effective implementation of the departmental Quality Management System (QMS).

To maintain familiarity and practise in accordance with the SOPs for all relevant laboratory procedures.

To participate in departmental quality improvement initiatives.

To participate in scheduled audit activities. The programme of activities shall include horizontal, vertical and examination audits, in addition to internal audit of the QMS.

To identify and alert senior staff to any non-conformances to optimal / required practice

To participate in the implementation and review of appropriate remedial, corrective and/or preventative measures in response to reported non-conformances.

To participate in training activities so that own competence to practise in the laboratory is demonstrably maintained through on-going assessment, as appropriate.

General Duties

Duties associated within Pathology Specimen Reception

To receive all patient samples, sort, and distribute all biochemistry / haematology samples to the pre-analytics area of the department. To deal with urgent samples quickly and efficiently to maintain fast turn round times and / or to ensure biologically unstable samples such as semen and all URGENT samples received, are dealt with as quickly as possible.

To receive all patients and visitors to Pathology, promptly and with sympathy, politeness and courtesy.

To assist with general clerical work as directed in the Pathology office or Specimen Reception.

To deal with telephone enquiries from Doctors, nurses and other ward staff and for arrangement of tests with patients. The transfer of more involved queries to more senior laboratory staff.

The sorting of laboratory reports into ward, department, Consultant secretary and GP surgery using the pigeon hole system in specimen reception and then despatch via Royal Mail, internal mail and district courier service.

Issue various specimen containers to porters, ward staff and patients when requested.

Package samples and arrange for them to be sent by Taxi, courier or post as instructed. Put out items to be picked up by the courier for delivery to other Hospitals or GP surgeries as required.

To ensure that levels of stocks kept in specimen reception are adequate.

Duties associated within Blood Sciences Department

The reception of all patient samples into the laboratory, checking, bar-coding and use of Beckman DXA pre analytical automation for processing samples for analysis.

The fast tracking of all urgent samples through the pre- analytical section to enable fast turnaround times to be maintained.

Patient and sample data entry into the laboratory computer system to the required set standard.

Use of the Beckman DXA.

Perform daily / weekly etc. maintenance

Prepare all racks at start of the day

Check and load all consumables during the day

Load patient samples

Check all alarms / errors and correct as necessary

Process any short samples and aliquots as necessary

Archive samples using manual archives

Transfer all aliquots produced by DXA to the relevant rack for storage / analysis / referral

Stock take all consumables and inform Chief / Head BMS of any shortages.

Clean and disinfect pre-analytics work area, laboratory equipment including centrifuges and fume cupboards on a regular basis according to maintenance logs.

Maintenance of laboratory stock levels for general laboratory consumables by performing a weekly stock take and informing the Chief / Head BMS if any stocks need ordering. To keep the store rooms tidy and safe.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Keyboard skills
• Ability to organise, prioritise and work at different speeds with dexterity and accuracy whilst paying attention to detail
• Ability to handle a variety of telephone enquiries appropriately

Qualifications

• Evidence of a good level of literacy and numeracy

• GCSE (Grade C or above) or equivalent in English and Maths

Experience

• Interest in working in Scientific / Medical fields
• Transferable skills gained from previous job roles

• Work placement or previous employment in health care environment
• Experience of working in a Clinical or laboratory environment
• Understanding of Medical terminology

Personal Qualities

• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with all staff groups and members of the public
• Able to work as part of a team and to be able to work under pressure Pleasant telephone manner
• Ability to adapt to change

Other job requirements

• Ability to comply with statutory legislation and Trust / Departmental policies and procedures
• Willing to undertake training and self development.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Awareness of self-presentation to users of the service

Practical Skills

• Can you describe practical skills that show you can safely handle specimens, follow procedure and work accurately.

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 details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/