Job overview
We are looking to recruit a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join the Blood Sciences laboratory team at Royal Brompton Hospital on a fixed term basis to provide maternity cover until 31 July 2027.
The post is primarily based within specimen reception and will support the day-to-day running of the department, including sample receipt, preparation, data entry and other general laboratory support duties. The successful candidate will also support Biomedical Scientist staff within the Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry laboratories as required.
This role would suit someone who is organised, able to work accurately in a busy environment and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider team. Previous laboratory or healthcare experience is preferable, although full training will be provided for the right candidate.
Shifts are worked between 09:00 and 18:30 on a rota basis (for example 09:00–17:00 or 10:30–18:30), and the post holder will also be required to participate in weekend working approximately once per month.
The position offers the opportunity to gain experience within an NHS pathology service and work alongside a multidisciplinary team supporting diagnostic services for patients across a specialist hospital setting.
Main duties of the job
Purpose of the Job
This role supports the delivery of biomedical investigations as part of the laboratory and/or Central Specimen Reception team in Synnovis. Reporting to the Senior Specialist BMS or designated role in Central Specimen Reception, you will hold a variety of responsibilities to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.
What you will do
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These may include, but are not limited to:
• Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
• Perform tasks and operate laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
• Prepare solutions, reagents etc, utilising a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
• Ensure all laboratory consumables and equipment are maintained in line with SOPs and health and safety guidelines.
• Complete data entry that is accurate, reliable, delivered on time and in accordance with Information Governance (IG) procedures.
• Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training
Working for our organisation
Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality.
This role is within Synnovis Analytics, which is responsible for the provision of pathology testing services to Synnovis’ patients and customers.
Our hospitals – Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of GSTT, stretching from southeast and central London to outer northwest London – have been responsible for some of the most significant medical breakthroughs ever made in our specialist fields. The hospital is one of the most advanced centres for heart and lung care anywhere in the world today. It has jointly pioneered work in the development of ‘artificial hearts’ (also known as left ventricular assist devices or LVADs).
We carry out over 40% of all cardiac surgery in London, and nationally a third of all tests for inherited lung conditions and a quarter of all tests for inherited heart conditions
At our dedicated heart attack centre, we deal with heart attack emergencies from outer north-west London, providing primary angioplasty in our specialist catheter laboratories. We believe our arrival-to-treatment time of 27 minutes is one of the fastest in Europe. Speed of treatment has been shown to be crucial to survival in these cases.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
•Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.
•Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork.
•Perform environmental monitoring and waste management activities in a safe way, as required.
•Support and train colleagues in your area as required.
•Support with specimen reception and referrals processing, as required.
•Use departmental resources efficiently and apply good stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery. Receipt and unpack new deliveries and advise/order when approaching minimum stock levels.
•Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff.
•Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.
•Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to accurately record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following IG guidelines.
•Organise day-to-day tasks, identifying and prioritising urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible. Escalate to senior member of staff, as necessary.
•Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols.
•Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times.
•Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or other departments.
•Adhere to the laboratory SOPs and work with the team to review working practice to maintain a high quality and safe service.
•Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests on to the LIMS.
•Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals.
• Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision.
• Undertake preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
•Process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required.
•File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.
• Prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
• Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by line manager. Undertake periodic laboratory training and competence assessment.
And:
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.
The Royal Brompton Hospital
Royal Brompton Hospital has a formidable international reputation for its treatment of lung and heart disease, built over more than 175 years.
It has ranked in the top ten 'World's Best Specialized Hospitals' ever since Newsweek created the list in 2021. It is home to Europe's largest centre for the treatment and management of cystic fibrosis, and also sees patients suffering from asthma and chronic lung conditions.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Good all round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship
Desirable criteria
2. A Level / BTEC in Science (or equivalent or higher)
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Working as part of a team
4. Working in a busy environment
5. Experience of working with computer applications such as Microsoft Office / Google docs, data entry
6. Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail
Desirable criteria
7. Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment
8. Handling of biological specimens
9. Customer service
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Good written and verbal communication skills
11. Numerate and literate
12. Organised and methodical
13. Ability to work to deadlines
14. Ability to accurately follow written procedures
15. Competent at problem solving and prioritising
16. Able to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
17. Able to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
18. Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock specimens etc
19. Willingness and ability to learn complex operating procedures
Desirable criteria
20. Awareness of the role of medical laboratories
21. Awareness of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
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:
22. Contributory pension scheme
23. Generous annual leave entitlement
24. 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.