Medical Laboratory Assistant

at  Synnovis

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant with previous work experience in Histology. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to join our team. The suitable applications are invited for this exciting post within the Department of Oral Pathology/Head and Neck Pathology located at Guy’s Hospital. The post holder will participate in the day-to-day workload of the routine Histology section under the supervision of the Lead Biomedical Scientist and line manager. Duties will include administrative tasks,Specimen Booking – In, assiting with cut up duties, Processor change, Procurement duties, equipment maintenance and stock management. In addition, the successful candidate will be involved in assisting at other relevant and associated tasks. There will be an opportunity for staff development.
The Department of Oral Pathology provides a comprehensive, fully UKAS accredited diagnostic services across South London and receives specialist referrals from all over the country. The department performs routine and various highly specialised diagnostic tests using modern equipment. The department processes a wide range of surgical specimens and also incorporates a busy immunocytochemistry section. The department also provides some specialist services includes Ground sectioning and ploidy analysis.
As an IBMS approved training provider, the department runs a well-structured training program that is delivered by a highly experienced and dedicated departmental training officer who is supported by a team of senior BMS staff. Team members receive personalised training program and are encouraged to actively work on their personal and professional development. Among other things, the training program comprises individual training manuals, competency assessments, registration and specialist portfolios as well as reflective learning and CPD lectures.
The role will require the candidate to act as the deputy procurement officer to maintain stock levels within the department. The candidate will support the department lead in maintaining stock levels within the department and maintaining the up to date documentation.
The post holder will perform analytical procedures necessary for the histological diagnosis of disease. The post holder will be required to work closely with the Biomedical Scientists, Lead BMS, Operations Manager, and the clinical leads within the department of Head & Neck, tissue sciences.
Medical Laboratory Assistants are to participate in the day-to-day work and to perform duties as part of a team, under supervision of Biomedical Scientists, to aid in the technical processes required to diagnose disease in tissue. The post holder is expected to plan and organise own work and follow the principles and broad occupational policies or regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules within Histopathology. They are able work without close management and can provide supervision and in-house training of new MLA staff when required.
The post holder is expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain quality service. The post holder is expected to participate in on-call service after suitable training is given, competency assessments have been completed and sufficient experience is gained for all tasks performed.
Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken English is essential in order to give and seek complex scientific, medical and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision.
The Department of Head and Neck pathology at Guy’s Hospital currently processes approximately 7,000 surgical specimens per year, offering an impressive range of diagnostic techniques including routine histopathological methods, immunocytochemistry, and molecular pathology service.
The service is delivered by a dynamic team of 6 Biomedical Scientists and support staff spread across the Laboratory and the office. We hold IBMS training laboratory approval and participate in multiple external quality assurance schemes and demonstrate a strong commitment to continual quality improvement.
To learn more about this opening, please see contact details below or simply apply through the application process.
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 / 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.
This is managed between you and your line manager in line with your own personal and professional development ambitions.
You can apply for finance to drive innovation and service development for the benefit of patients through our Innovation Accelerator Fund.
Generic
To rotate through all sections of the department as required and assist in ensuring the efficient and smooth running of the section.
To organise and participate in all the routine MLA tasks within the department and set a high standard
To be able to identify potential problems in order to maintain a safe service and reduce risk to patient care and to staff.
To take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident Reporting policy and procedure.
To maintain a high level of professional conduct.
To attend departmental meetings as required.
To acquire and maintain an up to date knowledge base of Cellular Pathology developments.
To ensure that the workplace and work benches are kept optimally organised and maintained in accordance with agreed Health and Safety policies.
To maintain laboratory databases including environmental readings and operational performance management system (OPMS)
Scientific and Technical
To work as part of a team producing technical histopathology work within the department under supervision.
To ensure that all tissue and cell samples will be safely received, recorded and processed in a timely manner
To ensure specimen reception and cut up is organised, stocked and clean
To ensure that cut up is organised, stocked and ready for specimen dissection
To assist in all aspects of diagnostic specimen cut up
To use interpretive and technical skills to determine the status of decalcified specimens
To ensure processing and staining machines are monitored and maintained according to SOP
To ensure that test procedures are carried out according to SOPs and participate in their regular review and update.
To assist in the planning and organisation of work flow and work in any sections of the routine histopathology laboratory as directed, and be conversant with and skilled at any required diagnostic test procedures and duties performed within it.
To maintain professional competency and dexterity in specialist/physical tasks and maintain delivery of a quality service
To ensure the safe use of laboratory equipment and monitor laboratory consumable stock levels
To prepare reagents required for laboratory investigations.
To perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated-laboratory investigations.
To ensure all tests performed are quality control checked, as applicable, by HCPC registered staff.
To assist in the monitoring and improvement (where possible) of the technical standard of the laboratory.
To ensure the accurate filing of blocks and slides and to be responsible for the maintenance of the storage facility on Floor 4 Tower Wing
To ensure routine operative maintenance schedules on laboratory instruments.
To report any instance or event which may result in a service delivery failure
To contribute towards a culture of quality in the department and to comply and promote the quality initiatives within the department consistent with maintaining laboratory accreditation to ISO15189 standards
To aid in trouble shooting errors and problems and escalate to relevant section leaders
To ensure maintenance equipment and reagent preparation for the facilitation of optimal processing of samples through the department.
To participate in clinical audits, trials and research projects in collaboration with laboratory management.
Organisational and Administrative
To work under the supervision of Head & Neck sub-specialist leads in the day-to-day running of the department
To give and seek scientific and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision
To attend departmental meetings as required
To maintain stock levels of operational areas using the stock scanning system, to participate any stock take and to assist with the ordering of supplies and reagents
To maintain laboratory databases including environmental readings and operational performance management system (OPMS)
To assist in the implementation of local policies and suggest changes to work practices / procedures
Update standard operating procedures where applicable under the direction of the Operations Manager
To ensure the availability of liquid nitrogen and maintenance of liquid nitrogen tissue storage vessels.
Line Management
To participate as an appraisee in the Synnovis annual performance review / appraisal procedure.
To participate in the day to day supervision and training of Medical Laboratory Assistants.
Laboratory Informatics
To use information systems, specialist and general software, both in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services.
To keep up to date with Departmental policies and SOP ’ s using Q-Pulse software, including raising of change requests.
Health and Safety
To assist, in conjunction with the Departmental Safety Officer and Quality Officer, in the development and maintenance of the departmental Health & Safety policies, in accordance with good laboratory practice, the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH regulations and recommended national guidelines and procedures (including UKAS).
To ensure all members of staff and visitors are aware of departmental health and safety policies and that they comply with them
To undertake all tasks that requires repetitive, mental and/or physical effort are within the boundaries of health and safety policies
To monitor exposure to hazardous environmental and chemical substances, and follow safe working practices that limits the daily exposure to biological hazards
To comply with departmental health and safety regulations
To maintain and update the departments record of stock
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Quality
To assist all staff in maintaining high scientific and quality standards within the section to ISO15189
Maintain error log in operational area under the guidance of the Quality Officer
Training and Development
Attend/complete online mandatory training courses required by Synnovis.
To be committed to achieving departmental objectives.
To comply with departmental Training Support policies
Participate in continuing professional development, maintaining a record of evidence of professional development in a Personal Professional Portfolio (departmental training folder).

Please refer the Job description for details