Overview
Work as part of a team supporting and supervised by a Health and Care Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientists. Booking and preparing patient samples and requests for analysis, and carrying out basic laboratory duties. The Blood Sciences Department is a demand led service, processing over 4000 patient samples every weekday. The workflow is unpredictable with peaks and troughs in the number of samples arriving for processing. This role requires a high tolerance to repetitive work and a continuous focus on accuracy and attention to detail to meet analysis turnaround times and provide a fast response service to wards, departments and GP surgeries, including emergency departments.
Based within the Blood Sciences Department, you will work in Specimen Reception alongside other Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) in a fast paced environment. On‑the‑job training is provided. The laboratory service at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) operates 24/7 at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital sites.
Responsibilities
* Sample Preparation
o Receive and sort pathology samples.
o Distribute samples to departments.
o Label samples and prepare them for analysis.
o Record and inform service users and senior staff of requests that do not comply with the Specimen Acceptance Criteria.
* Data Handling
o Enter data onto the laboratory computer system.
* Housekeeping and Maintenance
o Dispose of clinical and non‑clinical waste in accordance with Trust and departmental policies.
o Clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment in line with laboratory protocols and record such actions.
o Assist with the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
o Maintain adequate stocks of consumables and ensure stock is stored in a timely manner.
* Communication
o Communicate with a limited range of Trust staff in person, e.g. passing information to colleagues within Pathology.
o Maintain a pleasant and caring manner at all times while upholding confidentiality.
o Attend department meetings as required and maintain an effective communication network (verbal, written and electronic).
o Assist in maintaining, recording and storing information, including patient records, in line with Trust policy.
* Training and Development
o Training is provided and assessed in the department as defined in the Training Manual for Specimen Reception.
o Develop working knowledge of health and safety procedures.
o Participate in appraisal and develop a Personal Development Plan to identify training needs.
o Develop own skills and knowledge; attend mandatory training; assist in training of new staff when required.
* Organisational Responsibilities
o General clerical and administrative duties including scanning request forms, photocopying, filing and shredding confidential waste.
o Complete records in Specimen Reception, e.g. fridge temperatures, in compliance with laboratory protocols.
* Professional Responsibilities
o Maintain confidentiality at all times and only divulge information to authorised sources.
o Exercise independent judgement and initiative to resolve problems as they arise.
o Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.
Further information: this role is based within Blood Sciences and involves specimen reception processing samples from hospitals and general practitioners. The area can be very busy and requires precise working under time pressures. Keyboard skills and data input experience are advantageous; previous pathology laboratory experience is helpful but not essential. The post holder will participate in various shifts over 24 hours, including core days, weekends, nights, lates and bank holidays.
Qualifications and Requirements
* 3 GCSEs grade 4-9 (A–C) in English and Maths or equivalent.
* Proven keyboard skills.
* Ability to work as part of a flexible rota pattern covering 24/7 hours.
* Understands the need for confidentiality.
* Able to manage priorities under pressure, including repetitive tasks.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience of working in a busy environment.
* Experience of working in Pathology.
About the Organization and Equal Opportunities
Dear Potential Applicant: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust aims to be recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We employ over 9,500 staff and serve over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and operates a zero tolerance policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to improving the working lives of our staff. We especially encourage applications from BAME communities as ELHT has identified under‑representation in this group.
Additional Information for Applicants
* Salary is for full-time hours; part-time pro‑ration applies. For Agenda for Change pay bands, new entrants normally start at the first pay point of the band.
* Applications may close earlier if sufficient applications are received; apply promptly.
* Check the email account used for application communications regularly.
* Shortlisting is conducted against the essential criteria in the person specification.
DBS and Compliance
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS): If the role is identified as controlled or regulated activity, any offer is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check. The NHS Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 is not applicable to the healthcare sector. The Trust may charge for DBS checks. The cost is £55.38 for Enhanced and £27.38 for Standard disclosures. Bank staff payments are due in full at the time of employment checks.
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