Medical Laboratory Assistant Pre Analytics Blood Sciences

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.

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 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.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large

acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute

services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a

larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from

three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our

caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred

care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to

work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our

everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise

accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working

within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a

DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check

(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting

Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Knowledge and Skills

Qualifications

Experience

Personal Qualities

Other job requirements

Practical Skills