Medical Lab Assistant

Job overview

The Histology Department at Pathology First are looking for two motivated Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s) to join our team.

As a valued member of the Histology team, you’ll work across both hospital sites — Basildon and Southend, developing skills and making a positive contribution in a supportive and fast-paced laboratory environment.

These are full-time, permanent roles.

Main duties of the job

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant you will work within the Histology Team in the hospital laboratory setting.

The post holder will work as part of a team under the supervision of Associate Practitioners, Biomedical Scientists and Team Managers and will cover a range of laboratory skills and housekeeping duties as appropriate.

Excellent communication skills are required to work effectively in the laboratory where you will be receiving and handling samples for histological testing, ensuring quality control, maintaining and using scientific laboratory equipment, preparing laboratory reagents, working as part of a team to deliver high quality histology results in a fast turn-around time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Be able to rotate through laboratory area as required (dependent on experience and training), 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.

Other:

• Be an ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion.
• Communicate and role model the values and behaviours of SYNLAB.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate manager.
• Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.
• Complete all statutory, mandatory and essential training within timeframes specified.Safety:
• Observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required.
• Report all incidents and adverse events to managers and assist in the investigations of any incidents.
• Participate in risk assessment monitoring.
• Ensure that the equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP’s.

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.