Medical Laboratory Assistant

Synnovis Analytics; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pathology service organization in London is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support vital investigations and enhance patient care. The role includes handling samples, ensuring safety standards, and participating in quality management practices. Ideal candidates should have a strong education, attention to detail, and experience in laboratory environments. Competitive salary offered based on experience.

Qualifications

• Good all-round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent.
• A Level / BTEC in Science (or equivalent or higher).
• Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment.
• Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Handle and manage samples according to SOPs.
• Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory.
• Support and train colleagues in your area.
• Participate in quality management activities.

Skills

Organised

Attention to detail

Ability to work to deadlines

Problem solving

Knowledge of laboratory practices

Education

Good education to GCSE standard including English and Maths

A Level / BTEC in Science or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

Job description

Infection Sciences Medical Laboratory Assistant (Band 3) Friars Bridge Court

This is an exciting opportunity for Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistants to join the Synnovis Infection Sciences team providing support for a specialist service for a range of complex patients. You will be joining an exceptional and dedicated team who always go the extra mile for the benefit of our patients.

We are a progressive, UKAS ISO 15189:2012 accredited service who provide a comprehensive range of investigations which include bacteriology, parasitology, mycology, virology and infection surveillance for Synnovis NHS Partners and the local community.

This role will require 24 hr working across Infection Sciences.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the delivery of biomedical investigations as part of the laboratory in Synnovis. Reporting to the Associate Practitioners and Senior Specialist BMS, you will hold a variety of responsibilities to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
• Perform tasks and operate laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
• Prepare solutions, reagents etc, utilising a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
• Ensure all laboratory consumables and equipment are maintained in line with SOPs and health and safety guidelines.
• Complete data entry that is accurate, reliable, delivered on time and in accordance with Information Governance (IG) procedures.
• Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training.

About us

We are an IBMS-approved training laboratory and support career development through various pathways, including opportunities for higher degrees, specialist portfolios, and leadership roles.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding and support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Job responsibilities

• Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.
• Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork.
• Perform environmental monitoring and waste management activities in a safe way, as required.
• Support and train colleagues in your area as required.
• Support with specimen reception and referrals processing, as required.
• Use departmental resources efficiently and apply good stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery. Receipt and unpack new deliveries and advise or order when approaching minimum stock levels.
• Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff.
• Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.
• Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to accurately record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following IG guidelines.
• Organise day-to-day tasks, identifying and prioritising urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible. Escalate to senior member of staff, as necessary.
• Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols.
• Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times.
• Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or other departments.
• Adhere to the laboratory SOPs and work with the team to review working practice to maintain a high quality and safe service.
• Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests onto the LIMS.
• Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals.
• Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision.
• Undertake preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
• Process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required.
• File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.
• Prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
• Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by line manager. Undertake periodic laboratory training and competence assessment.

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites; however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good all round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship
• A Level / BTEC in Science (or equivalent or higher)

Experience

• Working as part of a team
• Working in a busy environment
• Experience of working with computer applications such as Microsoft Office / Google docs, data entry
• Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail
• Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment
• Handling of biological specimens

Skills & Knowledge

• Organised and methodical
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to accurately follow written procedures
• Competent at problem solving and prioritising
• Ability to operate the use of precision instrument and equipment
• Ability to operate the use of precision instrument and equipment
• Awareness of the role of medical laboratories
• Awareness of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

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.

Depending on experience£30,546 to £32,207 per annum depending on experience