Medical Laboratory Assistant - Cellular Pathology
Job overview
Are you an enthusiastic individual looking to work as part of a busy Cellular Pathology team? Then look no further!
The role is not for the faint hearted and no two days look the same. It is a very physical role, that will keep you fit. This is a mixed role carrying out laboratory and clerical duties. These may include assisting Pathologists at cut up, retrieving material for MDTs and preparing MDT documentation, filing and general housekeeping duties supporting the team.
You may be required to work in all areas of Cellular Pathology. You must be able to use Microsoft Office applications.
Main duties of the job
You will undertake a range of Pre Analytic duties for the Pathology Department which may include patient and specimen reception, printing/despatch of reports, mail preparation and telephone enquiries.
You will also be responsible for sample processing including the receipt, labelling and preparation of specimens for the departments of Pathology.
You will need good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team are required. Please ensure you comply with the personal specification.
Working for our organisation
We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.
Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.
You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.
You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Duties will include, but not be limited to:
- Communicate effectively with clinical staff, laboratory staff and external clients regarding advice/clarification of test requests in a professional and approachable manner.
- Answer the telephone in a clear and concise manner ensuring all results given & received are logged.
- Assist in effective verbal and written communication
- Communicate, as appropriate, using information technology.
- Order stock from Main Stores to maintain adequate supplies of stock items.
- Supply stock to Wards/Departments and GP practices as requested in a timely manner.
- Receive delivery of supplies for other Departments and notify of arrival.
- Report any issues and complaints to appropriate person
- Report on delivery of goods & services
- Record date and time & sort all relevant specimens coming into Pathology.
- Check that the correct specimen, collected under appropriate conditions has been supplied for investigations requested.
- Ensure urgent samples fast tracked through system
- Check sample and request form meet minimum data set requirements.
- Use computer accurately to input patient demographics using the laboratory CPR system.
- Learn and retain a good knowledge of Consultant/GP/Location and test codes.
- Correctly label samples with computer generated labels.
- Uses PC to find requested result enquiry information using agreed formats and procedures.
- Correctly and safely prepare, use and disinfect equipment e.g. centrifuge.
- Perform day to day maintenance & load, unload and top up of the consumables on analysers as appropriate
- Identify problems on mechanical systems, perform simple repairs, notify appropriate individual or call engineer if necessary.
- Sort printed reports, file and despatch to correct location
- Ensure report printers are constantly supplied with report paper.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria- Educated to GCSE standard, or equivalent to grade C in Maths English and Science
- NVQ2 Clinical Support
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working with others
- General appreciation of the importance of Health & Safety issues
- Computer literate
- Understands the need for confidentiality
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent written English language skills with ability to take notes during dictation
- Archiving / filing skills in an alphanumeric format
- Previous Data Input experience
- Previous Cellular Pathology experience
We’ll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post.Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here
To support you in your application process we’ve created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits.To help you get the best from your application we’ve also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.
We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for.There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice.Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations.Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.
Working Smarter pledge
We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.
Secondments
If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [email protected]
Young People
Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered.Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.
DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.
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We look forward to hearing from you soon!