Assistant Technical Officer Blood Transfusion

Job overview

Applications are invited  to join the team of Assistant Technical Officers (ATO) in the busy Blood Bank Department of Combined Labs at University Hospitals Plymouth. The post will be based in the Blood Bank Department in Derriford hospital.  ATO staff assist the Biomedical Scientists in the examination of a wide range of clinical samples from patients, in order to determine the laboratory diagnosis, and appropriate treatment, for patients.   ATOs additionally carry out other support duties essential for the smooth running of the Department. The role is interesting, varied, and full training and supervision is provided.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

You will be working in a team to book in Group and Save Blood Samples and other product requests. You will use analysers, centrifuges and various other pieces of equipment to test samples according to standard national methods. You will regularly monitor fridge temperatures. You will use the on site Blood Bank vehicle to drive to various hospital establishments in Plymouth and possibly the rest of Devon and Cornwall.

Key working relationships  exist between the post holder and the Section Leader, Senior BMS, scientific staff and support staff in the section, working together in a team

The ideal candidate works well in a team, understands how to work to urgent deadlines, has good communication skills, and has attention to detail.

The laboratories are areas of biological risk, thus full health and Safety training is given, PPE provided and standard procedures  used to ensure staff safety while processing patient samples.

You will need to have a full clean driving licence with 2 years of driving experience.

The applicant will be required to work regular nightshifts and weekends at an enhanced pay rate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see job description  and person specification attached.

Job Purpose:

• Assist in the general running of specific analysers, equipment or tests.
• Perform basic maintenance checks as directed.
• Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
• To plan and prioritise own work under supervision and be fully aware of service requirements
• To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
• To identify, prepare by uncapping and loading onto analysers samples for analysis. Unload, rerun if required, recap, rack away for storage in a refrigerator or cold room.
• Ensure that samples received match work lists, the patient ID is correct before testing and there is sufficient sample to perform the assay.
• To bring to the attention of senior BMS all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested.
• To enter a range of test results into the Pathology computer system for authorisation by BMSs
• Prepare these samples for analysis including attaching bar code labels, centrifugation, separation and prepare aliquots as required..