Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job overview

Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services

(A joint venture with Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust , Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford & St Peters Hospitals NHS Trust and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and East Surrey Hospital)

Are you looking for a full-time Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) position with a desire to work as part of the largest NHS led Pathology Services in the UK? You will be based at Frimley Park Hospital.

We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and well-motivated individual with good scientific background to complement our existing Microbiology MLA team.

Essential qualities expected are efficiency, being well organized, having good communication skills and attention to detail. Good keyboard skills are desirable. In addition, you should be a reliable individual who is able to demonstrate good practical skills and work as part of a team.

You must be keen to embrace new ways of working and develop your knowledge and skills and able to participate in the shift system. Support and encouragement will be given for career development.

You will be expected to work according to our working time compliant shift system and on rare occasions may be required to work at the Wexham Park Hospital site to maintain quality, training and service requirements.

Main duties of the job

• The postholder will assist in the preparation of analytical work for the Bacteriology Department across a range of department work areas under the supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist.
• The postholder is required to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times for any tasks carried out.
• There is a requirement to communicate with pathology staff, hospital staff, porters, drivers and couriers.
• The postholder will provide support to the BMS staff.
• The diagnostic work of the department includes through sorting, numbering and entering onto Laboratory Information Management System.
• The postholder will be required to operate the department waste disposal systems including use of autoclaves in a safe manner.
• Processing, for example, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, faeces, sputum, tissues and diverse secretions.
• Processed samples are then interpreted for the presence of pathogens, these could be bacterial, fungal or parasitic.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To assist in monitoring stock control of consumables held in stores.
• To ensure the cleaning and defrosting of equipment, such as fridges, freezers and incubators.
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills. Is able to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records, interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases and perform basic word processing and spreadsheet work.
• Performs a range of administrative tasks in all sections of the laboratory as required.
• This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and audit trails.
• Demonstrates excellent personal communication and team working skills.
• To communicate effectively with other staff groups both internal and external, including healthcare professionals, transport and portering staff.
• To assist in the departmental work as instructed, following SOPs under the supervision of the laboratory managers, team leaders and / or Biomedical Scientist staff.
• To maintain a clean and safe working environment through good laboratory practice.
• This may include disposal of clinical waste, autoclaving, decontamination processes.
• To participate fully in all aspects of the service including both the routine and non-core hour

For further information regarding the detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents.