Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen reception

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Blackburn is seeking a Pathology Support Worker to join the Blood Sciences/Pathology team. You will handle sample collection, preparation, data input, and basic technical tasks under supervision.

The role requires accuracy, good English communication, ability to work in a busy environment, and flexible 24/7 shift availability.

Qualifications

• Working toward NVQ qualifications or NVQ3 or equivalent level.
• 2 A-Levels including a Science subject.
• Able to work a 24hr 7 day shift rota with flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Collect patients' samples and forms from delivery points and wards.
• Check documentation and assess suitability of samples.
• Input patient details into the Laboratory Information System accurately.
• Provide basic technical advice and respond to enquiries from staff.
• Replenish stocks of consumables and reagents in Blood Sciences.
• Disinfection and decontamination of surfaces and equipment.

Skills

English communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Prioritisation under pressure

Education

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

2 A-Levels including a Science subject

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Collection of patients' samples and forms from Pathology delivery point and from wards and departments.
• Check documentation and assess suitability of samples.
• To provide the first point of contact for Blood Sciences Department for other Trust and PCT staff.
• Using agreed procedures as defined in Standard Operating Procedures, to prepare samples, for analysis and distribution to sections of the department. Including numbering samples and forms, centrifugation of samples. All samples are potentially infectious and proportions are unpleasant in nature. Universal precautions are required to prevent cross infection from all samples.
• Assessment of centrifuged samples for suitability for analysis.
• Prioritisation of samples for analysis.
• Accurate input of patient details into the Laboratory Information System for each specimen received. Resolving issues of incorrect patient details by contact with medical staff on wards, clinics, and accessing external databases of patient information.
• Reception and preparation of urgent samples for analysis, including demographic input into Laboratory Information system.
• Responding to general service and patient result enquiries in person and by telephone.
• Retrieval of authorised results and offering basic technical advice to other Trust and PCT staff.
• Replenishment of stocks of consumables and reagents within Blood Sciences from Laboratory stores areas.
• Preparation of basic reagents as defined in Standard Operating Procedures under supervision of a Biomedical Scientist. This can involve hazardous chemicals.
• Preparation of specimen containers for distribution to wards and departments.
• General housekeeping duties as defined in Standard Operating Procedures including disinfection and decontamination of surfaces and equipment such as centrifuges, water baths, blood fridges and specimen freezers.
• When required loading of samples onto automated complex analytical equipment, and after training, some manual preparations requiring a higher level of manual skills.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Working or willing to work towards NVQ qualifications (Clinical Laboratory support) or has NVQ3 or equivalent level of knowledge.
• 2 A-Levels including a Science subject

Other

Essential criteria

• Able to work on a 24hr 7 day shift rota and provide reasonable flexibility

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• Able to speak and write English to a good standard
• Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
• Able to manage priorities under pressure, often repetitive jobs.
• Able to use a computer keyboard to an effective standard
• Able to understand and comply with detailed procedures
• Able to work well in a team and to be supportive of team members

Experience

Essential criteria

• Able to cope in a busy environment

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in Pathology
• Data inputting experience

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available