Healthcare Science Assistant

Work as part of a team supporting and supervised by a Health and Care Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientists. Booking and preparing patient samples and requests for analysis.

The workflow is unpredictable such that there are significant peaks and troughs throughout the day in the number of samples arriving for processing.

This requires a high level of tolerance to repetitive work. The need to maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail throughout prolonged periods of concentration are required.

In sample processing, HSA's must work to deadlines to assist in achieving defined analysis turnaround times to provide an effective clinical service to wards departments and GP surgeries and a fast response service to the emergency departments.

1. Receive and sort pathology samples.

2. Distribute samples to departments.

3. Label samples and prepare them for analysis.

4. Record and inform service users and senior staff of requests received that do not comply with the Specimen Acceptance Criteria

Data Handling

1. Enter data onto the laboratory computer system.

1. Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust and departmental policies

2. Clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment in accordance with laboratory protocols and record such actions.

3. Maintain adequate stocks of consumables and ensure any stock is stored in a timely manner.

1. Communicate with a limited range of Trust staff in person, eg passing of information to colleagues within Pathology

2. Be expected to communicate in a pleasant and caring manner at all times whilst maintaining confidentiality.

3. Attend department meetings as required, to ensure an awareness of developments within the work area.

4. Maintain an effective communication network; verbal, written and electronic, keeping registered practitioners informed.

5. Assist in maintaining, recording and storing information, including patient records, in line with Trust policy.

1. Training is provided.

2. Be trained to have a working knowledge of all health and safety procedures

3. Participate in the appraisal process and, as part of the appraisal, in discussion with the line manager, develop an annual Personal Development Plan to identify training and development needs in line with personal and organisational objectives

4. Develop own skills and knowledge.

5. Attend mandatory training as directed.

6. Assist in the training of new staff when required.

Organisational Responsibilities

1. General clerical and administrative duties including scanning request forms, photocopying, filing and shredding confidential waste.

We have a friendly, professional and patient care driven team in Specimen Reception. Your role will be to work alongside other HSA's in a fast paced environment. You will receive on the job training. The laboratory service at Royal Lancaster Infirmary is delivered 24/7.

We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community health care premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGHprovidesa range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threateningconditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitalsprovidea range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Experience

Desirable: - Laboratory Skills; - Previous Pathology Reception experience

Qualifications

Essential: - 3 GCSE's or equivalent including English; - Good general education

Desirable: - A' levels or equivalent; - NVQ 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Skills, ability and knowledge

Desirable: - Previous Data Input experience; - Previous Pathology Laboratory Experience