Job overview
We are looking for a person with excellent interpersonal and leadship skills to lead our Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) team within the Histopathology department at Salisbury Hospital. Histopathology is the diagnosis and study of diseases in organs and tissues.
You don’t need laboratory experience but will have previously led, organised, or supervised a team of people.
Main duties of the job
The main duites include:
- Perform MLA duties and microtomy
- To ensure all specimens are processed in accordance with agreed laboratory procedures
- To input data into the lab IT systems in an accurate and timely manner
- Preparation of solutions and stains, and the maintenance of supplies with the laboratory
- Co-ordinate and supervise day-to day activities of the MLA team
- Help to lead and develop training and competency programmes for the MLA team
Please see job description and person specification for full list of duties and expections of the postholder.
The role is Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm
Working for our organisation
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is an innovative hospital with a proud heritage and over 250 years of experience behind us. Here we’re driven to deliver an outstanding experience for everyone and have been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment we continue to provide for our patients and also our staff.
We are an acute Trust, rated “Good” by the CQC, with a track record of high performance providing regional and super regional specialist services such as: Burns, Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Wessex Rehabilitation, Spires Cleft Centre and the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre. We have about 470 beds and employ over 4000 staff.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. We think working here is pretty rewarding. You can access a range of NHS discounts, receive a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. On-site benefits include car parking (fee applies), leisure centre, day nursery and holiday play scheme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an effective high-quality service.
1. To effectively supervise, organise and develop the MLA team, under the management of the BMS team managers and laboratory manager.
2. To provide technical support and contribute towards the output of the Cellular Pathology laboratory by supporting the scientific and medical teams.
3. To ensure all specimens are processed in accordance with agreed laboratory procedures.
4. To manage the training of new and existing staff in the MLA areas and ensure standards are maintained throughout the team.
5. Perform microtomy.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
6. Must hold level 2/Grade C English and maths (GCSE, Functional skills or equivalent)
Desirable criteria
7. Institute of Biomedical Science Certificate of Achievement part I/part II
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Previous experience managing/leading a team
Desirable criteria
9. Previous experience working in a Cellular Pathology Laboratory
10. Microtomy
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of using a LIMS and other standard IT packages
12. Experience training other staff members
13. Knowledge of working in a clinical laboratory
14. Experience in problem solving
Desirable criteria
15. Understanding of UKAS requirements and ISO standards
16. Prior Cellular Pathology knowledge
We offer excellent benefits that help make SDH a great place to work. These include but aren't limited to:-
17. Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
18. Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 years
19. An additional day's leave to celebrate your birthday (after 12 months)
20. Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
21. Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
22. An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
23. Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
24. Cycle to work scheme
25. Uniform provided (where required)
26. On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
27. On site health and fitness club
28. On site car parking
29. Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.