Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology
Job overview
Your role will be ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) work and the policies and procedures of the department.
You will work with other Support Staff to carry out the receipt, numbering, data entry, processing and preparation of specimens (urine, swabs, faeces, sputa and other body fluids and tissues) to aid the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease working within the main Microbiology and patient testing laboratories.
The microbiology department comprises of four disciplines or sections: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology and Molecular and handles approx. 366,000 specimens per year, of which 146,000 are covid samples. Service delivery is 24/7.
This post is for 30 hours per week. Working Monday - Wed, and either Thursday or Friday. There is also a weekend and bank holiday rota.
Main duties of the job- Ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) work and the policies and procedures of the department.
- To support the scientific and technical work of qualified staff in the Microbiology main and near patient testing laboratories
- Also responsible for setting up and processing of specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment and for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under supervision of BMS.
Working for our organisation
The microbiology department comprises of four disciplines or sections: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology and Molecular and handles approx. 366,000 specimens per year, of which 146,000 are covid samples. Service delivery is 24/7.
Why work with us -
Torbay Hospital provides acute care for the local community and has several community hospitals, and is a hot-spot for those who are considering living by the sea or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park and an hour to Exmoor National Park.Meanwhile, Plymouth and Exeter are also both within a short drive to enjoy the culture, maritime history and shopping experiences.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.
Service Delivery- To work under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist within departmentally
ensuring that sufficient attention is paid to detail for the work being
undertaken- Assist in training of new or less experienced support staff and to act as their
- To rotate through assigned sections of the department as required
- Expected to plan and prioritise own workload
- Must adhere to SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures)
- After training perform test procedures as required
- To undertake data entry of patient and diagnostic information using the Trust
- To attend laboratory meetings when appropriate
- To help to promote a favourable departmental image by dealing courteously
- Bench housekeeping and monitoring of certain equipment (e.g. fridges,
freezers, incubators)
Respond to telephone enquiries from staff in both primary and secondary care- Clerical duties as directed (filing, photocopying, labels etc.)
- To take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision and action
- To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that may be specific to individual departments
- Sort specimens on arrival in the laboratory
- Primary technical processing of samples including inoculating culture plates, setting up smears for microscopy, staining of smears etc
- To use laboratory equipment under supervision and ensure it is maintained correctly
- To operate certain analysers within the department under supervision of
- Responsible for setting up and processing of specified ELISA & Molecular
- Responsible for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under supervision of
BMS
Governance & Quality- To comply with quality standards determined by UKAS including provision of support for audit programmes as identified
- To work within Quality Management System, departmentally agreed policies and SOP’s
- To report any deficiencies in Quality promptly to the Quality Lead and/or
- To verify that full patient details are provided and that they correlate between sample and request
- To verify that correct samples are received for the tests requested
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care
- To ensure that laboratory equipment used is maintained properly
- Conducts basic audits as directed by senior staff, e.g. recording origins of
- Expected to comment on and suggest changes to working practices in their
- Responsible for completing documents in accordance with ISO 15189
- Responsible for maintaining competency in all laboratory sections
- Responsible for reading and acknowledging SOPs appropriate to job role
- Responsible for attending and taking part in section team meetings
- Must participate in annual review (appraisal) and keep mandatory training
up to date
Stock, Equipment and Other Resources- To ensure sufficient stocks are available to maintain service delivery
- Deal with deliveries as appropriate, including unpacking and storing in
appropriate areas, e.g. fridge, freezer, room temp. Disposing of delivery
wrapping appropriately- Responsible for good stock rotation
- Record batch numbers of each delivery of goods for quality and audit
- Assist with replenishment of in-use consumables for use of all staff on a
- Responsible for informing the associate practitioner when stock required.
- Responsible for stock-taking media supplies
- When required place orders for reagents and consumables using Trust and
Manage Service provider systems
H&S / Risk- Responsible ensuring a safe working environment, according to Laboratory Health and Safety Manual
- To undergo all mandatory training as required by the Trust
- To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that
- Responsible for safe disposal of certain items of infectious waste, e.g. old
- Responsible for safe packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories, in accordance with legal requirements for transport of biohazardous samples
Person specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria- Understanding of the Data Protection Act
- Understanding of Health & Safety in the workplace
- Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures
- Science Background
- Experience of Excel spreadsheets
- Experience working in a Microbiology Laboratory
- Use of beaker LIMS (laboratory information management system)
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria- Strong interest in science (at least 1 GCSE in a science subject) OR previous laboratory experience
- GCSE English
- GCSE Maths
- A level in a science subject
- Knowledge across range of laboratory procedures acquired through training to NVQ3 level or equivalent
Specific Skills
Essential criteria- IT skills - Must be computer literate in order to enter patient data and check on results when answering telephone queries
- Ability to work as part of a small, cohesive team
- Good communication skills, as taking and understanding instructions is a critical part of this job
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
- Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
- Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
- Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.