Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant in Worcester

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job DescriptionSenior Medical Laboratory Assistant

Haematology, Worcestershire Royal HospitalBand 3 | 37.5 hours per week | Permanent

Job Purpose

The Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant will work as part of the Haematology team, with primary responsibility for referral laboratory reporting and the day-to-day management of laboratory stock, reagents and consumables.

The post holder will ensure that referral results are received, accurately recorded on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and followed up where outstanding or delayed. They will also support the effective management of laboratory stock to help maintain continuity of the Haematology service.

The post holder will undertake additional laboratory, administrative and quality duties appropriate to the Senior MLA role, working within documented procedures, training and demonstrated competence.

Technical interpretation and validation of laboratory results remain the responsibility of appropriately qualified HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists. Clinical advice will be referred to appropriately qualified clinical staff.

Referral Reporting and Management

The post holder will:

• Receive, process and accurately record reports from approved referral and specialist laboratories.
• Enter authorised referral results onto the LIMS or scan and attach reports in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Ensure referral results are correctly associated with the appropriate patient and laboratory request.
• Monitor outstanding and incomplete referral investigations and follow up overdue results within expected turnaround times.
• Liaise appropriately with referral laboratories regarding outstanding reports and administrative enquiries.
• Identify delays, discrepancies, missing information or other problems and escalate concerns promptly to an appropriate Biomedical Scientist.
• Maintain accurate and traceable referral records.
• Contribute to monitoring, audit and improvement of referral pathways and turnaround times.
• Refer technical or clinical queries to appropriately qualified staff.

Stock, Reagent and Consumable Management

The post holder will:

• Coordinate the day-to-day receipt, checking, storage and monitoring of Haematology reagents, consumables and other laboratory stock.
• Ensure deliveries are stored under appropriate conditions and relevant records are completed.
• Maintain effective stock rotation and monitor expiry dates to minimise waste.
• Undertake regular stock inventories and maintain accurate records.
• Monitor stock levels and usage and identify potential shortages or abnormal consumption.
• Escalate stock deficiencies, supply disruption or other concerns that may affect service continuity.
• Maintain appropriate lot/batch and stock traceability records where required.
• Ensure stock areas remain safe, organised and appropriately maintained.
• Contribute to stock audits and improvements in stock-management arrangements.

The post holder will identify replenishment requirements but will not authorise expenditure or place requisitions unless specifically authorised under Trust procedures.

Laboratory and Service Support

The post holder will undertake supporting Senior MLA activities following appropriate training and competency assessment. These may include:

• Request processing, labelling and data entry.
• Routine use of LIMS and other laboratory information systems.
• Loading samples and consumables onto laboratory analysers.
• Undertaking defined routine analyser maintenance.
• Running Internal Quality Control material within the limits of documented competence.
• Undertaking defined simple laboratory procedures under appropriate supervision.
• Filing and disposal of blood and bone marrow slides.
• Scanning laboratory request forms and other documentation.
• Undertaking appropriate laboratory housekeeping and equipment cleaning.
• Receiving and distributing departmental correspondence.
• Providing training and support to colleagues in activities for which the post holder has been assessed as competent.

Assessment and acceptance of IQC performance and validation/authorisation of patient results remain the responsibility of appropriately qualified HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists.

Communication

The post holder will communicate effectively and professionally with laboratory staff, clinical colleagues, referral laboratories and other service users.

They will respond to appropriate telephone and electronic enquiries within their scope of competence, provide authorised information in accordance with departmental procedures and refer requests for technical or clinical advice to appropriately qualified staff.

Quality and Governance

The post holder will:

• Work in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures, Trust policies and the laboratory Quality Management System.
• Contribute to maintaining compliance with ISO 15189:2022 requirements.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement and other Quality Management activities appropriate to the role.
• Report incidents, errors, near misses and non-conformances promptly through appropriate departmental and Trust processes.
• Maintain accurate, complete and traceable records.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with information governance, data protection and records-management requirements.
• Work in accordance with relevant Health and Safety, Infection Prevention and risk-management requirements.

Training, Competence and Development

The post holder will:

• Undertake only activities for which appropriate training has been completed and competence demonstrated.
• Work under direct or indirect supervision according to their level of competence and departmental procedures.
• Recognise the limits of their role and seek advice or escalate concerns when required.
• Participate in continuing training, competency assessment and reassessment.
• Complete statutory, mandatory and departmental training.
• Participate in appraisal and personal development processes.
• Support the training of other staff in activities for which they have been assessed as competent.

The post holder will be required to hold, or be willing to work towards, the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I or an equivalent relevant qualification/competency award.

General Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to:

• Demonstrate the Trust's values and behaviours.
• Maintain confidentiality and the security of patient and organisational information.
• Comply with Trust requirements for Health and Safety, Infection Prevention and Control, Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Risk Management.
• Treat patients, colleagues and service users with dignity, courtesy and respect.
• Maintain a safe and professional working environment.
• Undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the Band 3 level and purpose of the post, following appropriate training and discussion where necessary.

The duties of the post may be reviewed in response to changing service requirements, but the principal purpose of the role will remain focused upon referral reporting, referral management and laboratory stock management.

Person Specification

Physical and Working Requirements

Essential

• Able to use display screen equipment for extended periods while maintaining accuracy and concentration
• Able to undertake the physical activities required for safe receipt, movement and storage of laboratory stock, using appropriate manual handling equipment and techniques
• Able to bend, reach, kneel and use an approved step stool or steps where required for stock control activities, subject to risk assessment and reasonable adjustments
• Able to work safely in a laboratory environment that may include noise, equipment heat and potential exposure to biological specimens and bodily fluids
• Able to undertake repetitive tasks and maintain accuracy despite interruptions
• Able to comply with Trust and departmental requirements for personal protective equipment and infection prevention.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Organised, reliable and methodical
• Demonstrates consistently close attention to detail
• Responsible and accountable for completing allocated work
• Able to remain calm, professional and courteous when under pressure
• Able to use initiative within defined procedures and recognise when advice is required
• Flexible and willing to support service requirements within the scope of the role
• Demonstrates respect, discretion and commitment to confidentiality
• Demonstrates the Trust values and behaviours and works constructively with colleagues

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSEs at grade C4 or above, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics.
• Willingness and ability to complete all departmental training and competency assessments required for the role.
• Holds, or is willing to work towards, the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I or an equivalent relevant qualification or competency award.

Desirable

• IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I or equivalent relevant laboratory support qualification.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail when entering, checking and retrieving patient and laboratory information.
• Ability to monitor outstanding referral investigations, recognise delays or discrepancies and escalate concerns promptly.
• Ability to organise stock, complete inventories, monitor usage and identify potential shortages or expiring items.
• Ability to follow written instructions, Standard Operating Procedures and defined processes consistently.
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload, including competing demands, frequent interruptions and time critical tasks.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including telephone and email communication.
• Ability to communicate courteously with laboratory staff, referral laboratories and clinical service users.
• Ability to maintain accurate, complete and traceable records.
• Ability to use LIMS and other electronic systems following training.
• Ability to identify non routine issues, undertake initial problem solving and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to support and train colleagues in tasks for which the post holder has been assessed as competent.
• Ability to maintain concentration during repetitive or detailed work and when using display screen equipment for extended periods.

Desirable

• Competence in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to produce simple stock or referral activity reports.
• Experience of undertaking audit or quality improvement activities

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the secure handling of patient information.
• Awareness of health and safety, infection prevention and risk management within a laboratory or healthcare setting.
• Understanding of the importance of accurate patient identification, data entry and record traceability.
• Understanding of the need to work within written procedures, training, competence and defined limits of responsibility.
• Understanding of when technical or clinical queries must be referred to appropriately qualified staff.
• Understanding of basic stock control principles, including appropriate storage, stock rotation and expiry date monitoring.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Haematology laboratory processes and terminology.
• Understanding of external referral pathways and turnaround-time monitoring.
• Awareness of ISO 15189 2022 and laboratory quality requirements.
• Knowledge of Haematology analysers, reagents and consumables.
• Awareness of incident and non conformance reporting systems, including Datix and electronic Quality Management Systems.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a clinical laboratory, healthcare, diagnostic or similarly regulated environment.
• Experience of accurate data entry and maintaining electronic or paper records.
• Experience of using computer systems, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases or electronic communication.
• Experience of organising and prioritising a defined workload to meet deadlines.
• Experience of stock receipt, stock rotation, inventory control or monitoring consumables.
• Experience of working as part of a team and escalating problems appropriately.

Desirable

• Experience within an NHS Pathology or Haematology laboratory. Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System Experience of processing, recording or monitoring referral laboratory results.
• Experience of reagent and consumable stock management, including expiry date monitoring and stock inventories.
• Experience of training, supporting or supervising less experienced staff.
• Experience of working within a Quality Management System.

Internal Job Vacancy

Essential

• This vacancy is currently only open to internal applicants from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Could you please confirm below that you are a current member of staff?

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)