Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Basingstoke is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant to process samples and assist in disease diagnosis. Applicants must have a strong background in science to GCSE level and possess excellent organizational and communication skills. This position requires participation in a 7-day service, contributing to a high-quality laboratory service.

Qualifications

• Background in science subjects to GCSE level.
• Good typing skills.
• Enthusiastic and well-motivated.

Responsibilities

• Process and analyse pathology samples using diagnostic procedures.
• Perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments.
• Maintain storage and disposal of samples.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Effective organisational skills

Experience of handling electronic data

Effective keyboard skills

Education

English Language GCSE or equivalent

Science GCSE or equivalent

Job description

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Microbiology Department at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Basingstoke site.

The role involves the processing of a range of samples and body fluids to assist in the diagnosis of disease and hence you will be contributing to the positive outcomes for our patients. Tasks include, but are not limited to, running of analysers , reagent preparation, quality control, reporting and verification of results, as well as troubleshooting any issues which may arise.

The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, well-motivated, possess excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and be committed to the provision of a high quality laboratory service. You must also have good typing skills and a background in science subjects to GCSE level and experience in using computers would be an advantage.

Commitment to the provision of a 7 day service is a necessary requirement for this post and the successful applicant will be expected to fully participate in weekend working.

Main duties of the job
• To process and analyse pathology samples using routine and complex diagnostic procedures.
• Undertake laboratory investigations and procedures on a rotational basis as demand dictates.
• Perform routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments and undertake corrective maintenance and troubleshooting when appropriate.
• Prepare quality control material and collate returned results.
• Check that quality control results on analytical procedures are within the stated ranges, in accordance with laboratory policy.
• To maintain the adequate storage of samples after analysis and their correct disposal at the appropriate time
• To collect, sort and book in samples on the Laboratory Information System (WinPath)
• To process waste in line Health & Safety protocols

Working for our organisation

Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.

The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Happy to Talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible and part time working will be considered.

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• English Language GCSE or equivalent 0-not achieved 1-achieved

Desirable criteria

• Science GCSE or equivalent 0-not achieved 1-achieved

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Experience of handling electronic data 0-poor, 1-adequate, 2-excellent
• Effective keyboard skills 0-poor, 1-adequate, 2-excellent

Desirable criteria

• Previous laboratory experience 0-poor, 1-adequate

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Effective communication skills 0-poor, 1-adequate, 2-excellent
• Effective organisational skills 0-poor, 1-adequate, 2-excellent
• Can deal with unpleasant material 0 -poor, 1 adequate

Desirable criteria

• Experience of training others 0-poor, 1-adequate

Our commitment to you:

We are committed to equality and diversity in both the provision of our services and how we recruit and manage our staff. Applications are encouraged from everyone with the necessary attributes for the job, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

Happy to Talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible and part time working will be considered.

The paperwork:

• HHFT is committed to putting the safety and care of our patients first - as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues. Therefore, we would recommend that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 and that you understand that we are treating COVID-19 positive patients within our services.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted at least 5 working days before the scheduled interview date. Applications will be submitted directly into our preferred third party recruitment system (Trac). All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs via email - please ensure to check your junk/spam folders.
• All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.
• In compliance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, all applicants must be able to communicate fluently in English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed as part of the selection process.
• This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. If you intend to apply you are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• MLA Band 3 (PDF, 494.1KB)
• HHFT Employee Rewards & Benefits (PDF, 723.8KB)
• Tackling Climate Change at Hampshire Hospitals (PDF, 4.9MB)