Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a full time permanent Medical Laboratory Assistant at Guys and St Thomas’ St. John’s Histopathology Laboratories.
You will work in a small team of MLAs, as a key part of the wider Histopathology Team. You will also work with the Clinical staff and assist in the delivery of diagnostic services within dermatopathology. You will use the Epic Beaker LIM system.
Upon satisfactory completion of in-house training and competency assessment you will participate in the MLA rota which currently involves shifts between 9am and 5,15pm, Monday to Friday. however, applicants may be required to work differing hours as the unification of departments is currently on going and closer links are being established with the Synnovis Analytics hub.
Main duties of the job
The laboratory services for dermatology are split across two sites Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals. The Routine diagnostic and immunocytochemistry service is carried out on the St. Thomas’ site, dealing with approximately 14, 00 cases per annum The Mohs micrographic surgery is performed in the newly built Guy’s Cancer Centre. The Mohs service is one of the largest centres in the UK and operates 5 days per week, with a case load of between 40-50 patients a week. We also offer an expanding Slow Mohs service too. There are close links with the newly formed Synnovis Analytics Hub and staff may well be rotating through all divisions of the service as required. The 22-laboratory staff include a full range and grades of personnel from band 3 to band 8 staff grades. The laboratory service is UKAS accredited across both sites. The successful applicant will be trained in all routine histological investigations and will work in all areas of laboratory provision and will rotate across the service areas.
Key duties include:-
• Compliance with local and national policies for the safe secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information within the compliance of SOPs and the GSTS Quality Management system
• Post holder to be able to organise own day to day duties with ability to identify / prioritise urgent tasks
• Maintain integrity and accuracy of laboratory database where appropriate
• Be proactive in escalating any possible issues that may impact on service delivery to senior colleagues
• Participate in audits of laboratory process and procedures
• Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept at a clean standard
• Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork
• To adhere to equality and fairness in working relations
• To maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis Analytics and Synlab partnership
• To assist in training new MLA staff within the Department and provide advice to less experience MLA and clerical staff
• Undertake a period laboratory training and competence assessment
• Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by the appraisal cycle
• To participate in an annual appraisal cycle, and be assessed against competences of the role
• Observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies
Working for our organisation
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 Synnovis Academy 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
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
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
1. You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These may include, but are not limited to:
2. Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
3. Perform tasks and operate laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
4. Prepare solutions, reagents etc, utilising a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
5. Ensure all laboratory consumables and equipment are maintained in line with SOPs and health and safety guidelines.
6. Complete data entry that is accurate, reliable, delivered on time and in accordance with Information Governance (IG) procedures.
7. Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training.
Key Responsibilities
8. Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork
9. Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.
10. Perform environmental monitoring and waste management activities in a safe way, as required.
11. Support and train colleagues in your area as required.
12. Support with specimen reception and referrals processing, as required.
13. 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.
14. Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff.
15. Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols.
19. Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and always use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment.
20. Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or other departments.
21. Adhere to the laboratory SOPs and work with the team to review working practice to maintain a high quality and safe service.
22. Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests on to the LIMS.
23. Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals.
24. Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision.
25. Undertake preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
26. Process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required.
27. File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.
28. Prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
29. Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by line manager. Undertake periodic laboratory training and competence assessment.
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.
GSTT
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
30. Good all-round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship
Desirable criteria
31. A Level / BTEC in Science (or equivalent or higher)
Experience
Essential criteria
32. Working as part of a team
33. Working in a busy environment
34. Experience of working with computer applications such as Microsoft Office / Google docs, data entry
35. Experience of working accurately
Desirable criteria
36. Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment
37. Handling of biological specimens
38. Customer service
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
39. Good written and verbal communication skills
40. Numerate and literate
41. Organised and methodical
42. Ability to work to deadlines
43. Ability to accurately follow written procedures
44. Competent at problem solving and prioritising
45. Able to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
46. Ability to operate the use of precision instrument and equipment
47. Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock specimens etc
48. Willingness and ability to learn complex operating procedures
Desirable criteria
49. Awareness of the role of medical laboratories
50. 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:
51. Contributory pension scheme
52. Generous annual leave entitlement
53. 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.