Medical Laboratory Assistant

at  Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintenance of a high standard of work, checking specimen and request details to ensure samples received in the department are correct and fully labelled before processing, any discrepancy being brought to the attention of a senior member of staff. To book in samples using the laboratory computer system (Telepath) and check patients details on the Hospital computer system (Lorenzo) if required. To manually prepare samples for processing by technical staff in the department, using laboratory equipment where required e.g. centrifuges, Beckman Coulter Auto-mate.
To prepare and package specimens for referral to other laboratories. To liaise with other departments over the effective and efficient use of shared specimens. To order transport for departments to deliver or collect specimens to and from other hospitals. To attend the anticoagulant clinic and collect and perform non-complex blood tests.
To comply with all health and safety regulations of the laboratory, especially when handling know high risk specimens. To dispose of specimens in accordance with the laboratory procedure. To check, monitor, and record the temperatures of the laboratory and satellite fridges / freezers on a daily basis. To sort all departmental test reports for delivery to the appropriate requesting location.
To report any abnormal findings or unusual occurrence during procedures to senior persons. To Inform Biomedical Scientist of urgent requests. Technical To perform work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures and Protocols in order to facilitate the provision of accurate and timely results. To plan and organise their own work within the team.
To ensure all equipment is maintained and work areas are kept clean and tidy. To assist in monitoring and dealing with referred work. To carry out corrective action and inform the Advanced (Senior) Biomedical Scientist in Blood Science of any event which may cause a service delivery failure. Administrative To read and acknowledge policies and procedures, SOPs, COSHH and workplace risk assessments via the Quality Management System & use own initiative in suggesting improvements.
To maintain records and logs used within the department. To provide accurate data entry of patient identification details into the computer / database systems. To comply with good laboratory practices required for the standards of UKAS including Health and Safety. To use departmental resources efficiently and advise the section supervisor when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
To attend meetings as appropriate. To assist in the reporting of clinical incidents. To assist in audit as required. Laboratory Informatics To ensure that the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information are implemented.
To use the Pathology Computer System (Telepath) according to the authorised protocols. Check, and correct if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases. To use Trust wide I.T.
systems as appropriate following trust polices guidelines and procedures. Communication To communicate results verbally or by telephone to persons authorised to receive them in a clear and concise manner following appropriate policies and procedures. To provide advice and information to Laboratory, Ward, GP staff and patients regarding samples & sample handling including information on appropriate tests and collection conditions for in house, referred & infrequently requested tests. To communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section and to inform effectively at hand over.
To liaise with wards and GP Surgeries to clarify any discrepancies between specimens and requests

Please refer the Job description for details