Job overview
Are you looking for a rewarding career in a state-of-the-art laboratory, located in the heart of Mid and South Essex, where customer‑centred medical excellence is at the core of everything we do?
Pathology First, part of SYNLAB UK & Ireland, is recruiting a full-time Medical Laboratory Technician on a permanent contract to join our Pre-Analytics team, working at the Basildon Hub Laboratory.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
This role includes shift work, weekends, and bank holidays. Shifts operate on a 4–6 week rota, with 7.5 hour shifts between 8:00am and 8:00pm.
As a Medical Laboratory Technician within the Pre-Analytics team, you will play a vital role in supporting the end-to-end specimen reception process, helping to ensure that samples are processed safely, efficiently, and accurately to support high-quality pathology testing.Rotate through all areas of the Laboratory as required to perform all designated duties in accordance with local working practices both within Specimen Reception and Automate, to maintain high personal standards and conform to Health and Safety regulations. To prepare and process clinical specimens for biomedical testing, within operating procedures and protocols.
We are looking for candidates who are passionate about improving patients’ health and would like to work in a healthcare setting. Full training is provided. We are ideally looking for candidates who are flexible with their hours and would like to work in a busy work environment.
Main duties of the job
·Receive, check, and prepare patient samples for analysis, label accurately to traceability standards.
·Enter patient details and results onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with high accuracy.
·To prepare and process clinical specimens for biomedical testing, within operating procedures and protocols.
·Follow SPS standard operating procedures (SOPs) and uphold ISO 15189 quality requirements.
·Maintain specimen workflow, prioritising urgent requests and meeting turnaround times.
·Collaborate with colleagues across the HUB and hospital sites to ensure efficient, customer-centred service.
·Uphold health & safety, infection prevention and data-governance standards; support general housekeeping.
Working for our organisation
SYNLAB UK & Ireland work closely with clinicians, hospitals, occupational health providers and clinical researchers to provide a complete pathology offering.
We operate in increasingly diverse environments which is reflected in our workforce, clients, customers, suppliers, communities and partners. We believe an inclusive workplace culture is the best way to source, attract and retain diverse and talented people, and create a sustainable, high-performing workforce.
We believe our staff is vital to the principle of making a positive difference to healthcare, therefore, we promote a culture of continuous personal development where scientists and staff have the support and resources to acquire new skills and build their careers through learning and development opportunities, coaching and clear career pathways.
We promote an open and collaborative culture where leaders act as role models and facilitate a two-way communication, engage with staff and stakeholders transparently and actively encourage feedback and suggestions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·To perform all designated duties within Pre-analytics in accordance with local working practices, to maintain high personal standards and conform to Health and Safety regulations.
·To prepare and process clinical specimens for biomedical testing, within operating procedures and protocols. Aliquot samples, load and unload the track, resolve incompletes, manage stock levels.
·To work within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of Specimen Reception Supervisors.
·To continue with personal development through academic or practical experience.
·Be able to rotate through areas of Pre-analytics and Microbiology support roles, as required, performing all designated duties in accordance with local working practices whilst maintaining high personal standards and conforming to Health and Safety regulations.
·Provide general advice to users of the pathology service, for example, sample type, test availability, transport.
·Prepare samples for routine investigations, working on own initiative to agreed protocols.
·Propose changes to standard operating procedures as required in order to develop and streamline the service or to reflect other changes. Propose changes to set task list for daily duties
·Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory.
·Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate.
·Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory managers
·As directed by senior laboratory staff, plan and prioritise work allocations, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
·Encourage active participation in personal development, and support the introduction of new technologies and / or systems by being a change advocate.
·Use consumables and equipment within your allocated section responsibility and be responsible for stock control audits and recording through approved channels as required.
·Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff and enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner as directed by senior staff.
Demonstrate on going competency against training plans.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. NVQ3, or equivalent, level of knowledge, a minimum requirement of 3 GCSEs to include English and Maths and at least one science subject.
Desirable criteria
2. Science A – Levels or a degree entry qualification.
3. ECDL or equivalent knowledge.
Skills
Essential criteria
4. Good degree of accuracy & numeracy.
5. Ability to communicate with a wide range of levels of staff within the laboratory and user organisations
6. Good developed interpersonal and team working abilities
7. Ability to manage time to best advantage
8. Ability to adapt efficiently to change
9. Able to plan activities within area of work
10. High degree of dexterity required
11. Able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Working knowledge of the receipt and preparation of samples for biomedical testing
Desirable criteria
13. Previous customer service experience
14. Computer literacy
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.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• 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.