Job overview
Are you getting the most from your job?
Are you interested in developing your knowledge and experience in the science behind the causes and effects of disease? Are you keen on supporting the Cytopathology department in making a difference to patient care?
The cytology department is looking for a self-motivated Medical Laboratory Assistant to join the Synnovis Cytopathology team based on Princess Royal University Hospital site. The ideal candidate will be a quick learner, good team player and keen to develop their scientific knowledge, administrative and people skills through interaction with patients and fellow staff.
Key Relationships: The post holder will report to the senior biomedical scientists, be responsible to the Cytology Operations Manager, and accountable to the Clinical Lead for Cytology. The post holder will relate to all staff in Pathology service across all sites, Consultant Pathologists in area of work and users of service (patients, GPs), Trust staff.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be expected to perform general scientific and technical duties including sample reception and handling.
The Synnovis Cytology Service which provides services to Guy’s & St. Thomas’ and King’s College Hospitals continues to be one of the most exciting Services to develop your career.
The Main Cytology department is situated across 2 major teaching hospitals, and referral centre. Processing a total of over 18,000 non-gynae samples per year across all sites. The cytology department is currently in a dynamic state of growth with more Fine Needle Aspiration clinics set to be established resulting in more Non-gynae cases.
The duties are planned ensuring that Medical Laboratory Assistants are exposed to a variety of tasks including, sample reception, managing telephone queries and booking samples on the Laboratory Management Information System (LIMS). They may also provide day to day supervision of more junior grade MLA’s whilst participating in the MLA rota.
Working for our organisation
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Princess Royal University Hospital is a District General Hospital, which proudly provides quality care to patients within the boroughs of Bromley and Bexley as well as Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.
Orpington is located within South East London with a great range of shops, markets and a place where various sports can be enjoyed. It is a great place to live and work.
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 ViAcademy 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Technical
1. Use laboratory information system according to protocols.
2. Advise service users on sample preservation and transportation to laboratory.
3. Prepare pack and dispatch samples for transfer to other relative laboratories and sites.
4. Accurate data entry of sensitive patient information onto the laboratory computer system, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration.
5. Prepare laboratory reagents including chemical solutions according to Standard Operating Procedures.
6. Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff.
7. Use of various laboratory equipment for analysis.
8. Set up equipment for use by other members of staff.
9. Undertake preventative maintenance of automated analysers as and when required.
10. Undertake basic troubleshooting delicate analytical instruments and automated analysers under supervision of senior staff.
11. To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.
12. Sensitive and appropriate disposal of excess material from previously tested samples according to Health and Safety protocols.
Administrative
13. Receive, sort and log patient samples on Laboratory information system.
14. Assist with Laboratory record keeping to ensure compliance with good working practices required for quality and competence (ISO 15189:2022).
15. To answer telephone enquiries in a polite, courteous and efficient manner and deal with these enquires in an accurate and timely manner, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
16. Support the Andrology and FNA clinics by scheduling appointments for patients on the Patient Information Management System (PIMS).
17. To answer telephone, record and deliver any enquires from health professionals, patients and service users.
18. Assist patients with enquiries regarding Pathology tests, this will include giving out sample containers and information regarding sample production for semen analysis.
19. To receive patients producing and dropping off samples for Andrology service.
20. Excellent administrative and record keeping skills.
21. Ensure stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery.
22. Prepare semen analysis kits for distribution to service users.
23. Effective communication with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.
24. Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics and other departments within Pathology.
25. Assist in procurement process by logging, copying and filing delivery documents.
26. Specimen reception duties including checking specimens received, checking details with specimen senders and liaising with service users as necessary.
27. Collate and enter information for analysis of quality indicators as directed by senior staff.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
28. 4 GCSEs at Grade A-C or NVQ2, including Maths and English
29. A good standard of Mathematics and English.
Desirable criteria
30. A’ Level
31. NVQ3 and above
32. Science-based GCSEs
33. Higher Qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
34. Work experience
Desirable criteria
35. Previous experience in a laboratory
36. Previous experience of data entry
37. Customer service experience
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
38. Good communication skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of levels of staff within and outside the laboratory
39. Excellent data entry skills with high level of accuracy & numeracy
40. Ability to prioritize tasks within own area of work, good time keeping and attention to detail
41. Demonstrates strong teamwork skills
42. High degree of dexterity required (e.g. lifting, carrying)
Desirable criteria
43. Basic knowledge of science
44. Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment
45. Ability to maintain focus whilst undertaking repetitive tasks, within the boundaries of health and safety policy (e.g. there will be frequent periods of prolonged sitting or standing)
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
46. Contributory pension scheme
47. Generous annual leave entitlement
48. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.