Medical Laboratory Assistant - Central Specimen Reception

Job overview

Please note - THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO KENT AND MEDWAY PATHOLOGY NETWORK STAFF (I.E. THOSE EMPLOYED BY DARTFORD AND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST, MEDWAY NHS TRUST, EAST KENT HOSPITALS NHS TRUST, MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST). ANY APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE NOT EMPLOYED BY THE NETWORK WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

One post available 27 hours per week

We are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Medical Laboratory Assistant to support our UKAS accredited department by carrying out a range of routine pre- and post-analytical tasks across various areas including the urgent bench, referrals, miscellaneous, Histology, and routine blood sciences. Full training will be provided, so no degree is required. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in a customer service environment, be computer literate with good keyboard skills, and have strong attention to detail. Flexibility to work shifts in a 24/7 service is essential. This is an excellent opportunity to join a quality-driven team and contribute to vital healthcare services.

Please note, this post may close earlier than the given closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will perform a range of routine and non-routine tasks within Pathology including, numbering up clinical samples, liaising with external laboratories to obtain outstanding referral results, entering patient results into the Laboratory system, advising patients and service users on appropriate tests, dealing with private patients invoicing and dealing with the sensitive disposal of foetal remains.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Technical responsibilities:

Central Specimen Reception (CSR) includes pre and post analytical tasks and duties such as checking patient demographics, numbering up samples, operating centrifuges/analysers and prioritising workflow.

Handling and preparing miscellaneous, Immunology and referred samples and sending them onto the relevant departments/ external testing laboratories, storing and despatching samples as appropriate following UN3373 requirements.

Handling and preparing Histology specimens, checking patient/sample information ensuring that they meet requirements, entry to LIMS, packaging according to guidelines and departmental policy, and referring samples to the referral laboratory.

Dealing with problem samples including unsuitable samples and / or requests.

General tasks associated with the laboratories, Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Haematology and Blood Transfusion such as separating specimens, receiving supplies, monitoring of equipment, checking stock levels and informing senior members of staff when stocks are low, issuing sample containers to internal and external users and processing waste.

Work according to departmental standard operating procedures at all times.

Monitor stock levels within the department, ensuring acceptable levels, advising Central Specimen Reception (CSR) Supervisor if supplies fall below minimum levels and preparing Pathology stock orders for wards and departments within the hospital as well as GP surgeries.

Greet visitors and patients dealing with all general Pathology enquires where possible and re-directing queries to appropriate persons.

Obtaining outstanding results from external laboratories and reporting results onto the LIMS for authorisation.

Organise and distribute all Pathology paper reports and any other documentation required

Please see attached job description for further information

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.