Biomedical Support Worker

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?

Our Future Plans

To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

We are looking to recruit motivated, caring and compassionate individuals for the role of:

Biomedical Support Worker

Candidates must have a genuine interest in science and possess a scientific qualification plus a Mathematics and English qualification equivalent to GCSE A*- E and have previous laboratory or healthcare experience and be an excellent team player.

Main duties of the job

The work can sometimes be quite physically demanding. Successful candidates must have good keyboard, communication and organisational skills, together with an excellent work ethic.

• We put the patient first
• We go see
• We work together to get results
• We do the must-dos

Working for our organisation

The Trust is an exceptional place to work with many amazing teams of hardworking dedicated staff delivering high standards of patient care. We have made significant changes in the way we work to meet the challenges of the changing NHS service.

Together we will deliver outstanding compassionate care to the communities we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To take receipt of and sort clinical samples received from wards, clinics and general practice.
• To check the integrity of samples and prioritise urgent and unstable samples so they can be prioritised immediately on receipt.
• To unpack the samples, with reference to Health and Safety procedures and check that the requirements of the minimum data set are met for both request form and samples.
• To label the samples with laboratory numbers and input patient and sample information into the laboratory computer system. This will involve making an assessment of the samples, sample types and clinical details before entering the appropriate tests into the computer system.
• To be able to solve day to day problems with samples received such as unlabelled and leaking specimens
• To undertake the pre-analytical processing of clinical samples and blood, with reference to departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
• To understand where different pathology tests are performed and direct samples to appropriate department/areas.
• Understand, perform and document daily quality checks on equipment.
• Maintenance and housekeeping on all equipment, ensuring logs are completed.
• To answer telephone enquiries from users of the service using the laboratory computer system. To give out the results of laboratory tests in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• To maintain adequate levels of laboratory consumables and ensure weekly order is placed with pathology stores.
• To be responsible, in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Health and safety procedures, for the safe disposal of clinical laboratory waste.
• To maintain a clean and safe working environment using appropriate disinfectants and cleaning materials.
• Willingness and ability to learn new skills
• To ensure adherence to the safety policies of Pathology and the Trust.
• To know and observe all Pathology safety codes and policies.
• To be aware of the inherent hazards in the work and to take adequate precautions.
• To work with great care at all times and to report any new risks encountered and accidents occurring to the Laboratory Manager and the Pathology Health and Safety Supervisor.
• To have particular regard for the safety of others in the laboratory.

• Carry out such work as may be required in the different sections of the laboratory.
• Receipt, sorting and organisation of samples prior to testing, prioritising urgent work (distinguishing between routine and urgent samples)
• Ensure that all sample and request forms adhere to the trusts minimum data set policy.
• Correctly label samples with a corresponding laboratory bar-code number, dedicated for individual sample types.
• Urine volume measurement, stabilisation and aliquots ready for analysis.
• Follow correct procedure with regards to infected spills and leaked samples.
• Perform laboratory duties as described in standard operating procedures and following health and safety guidelines.
• Disposal of clinical waste in accordance with Health and Safety and COSSH Guidelines.
• Communicate with clinical staff in G.P surgeries, wards and outpatients departments to clarify details on request paperwork and sample labelling
• Use of the Trusts air-tube system.
• Maintain a personal level of competence in all areas of activity.
• Monitor levels of stock consumables and liaise with senior staff with respect to re-ordering.

• Use the Trust and Departmental IT systems as required.
• Inputting patient details and tests requested into the IT systems.
• Use of local EPR systems for retrieval of patient data.
• Use of enquire facilities on departmental IT systems for patients results.
• Produce patients report copies from the departmental IT system.

• Use of local IT systems to identify patients; search correct dates, sample results.
• Provide medical personnel with completed patient’s results, within professional guidelines.
• Transfer incoming enquires to the relevant disciplines.
• Office duties include filing and distribution of reports to G.P surgeries, ward and other location as required.
• Produce patients report copies.

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
• Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.
• Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.
• Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• GCSE (or equivalent) grades A*- E in Math’s, English and a science.
• Demonstrate a commitment to and participation in continued professional development.
• Willingness to attend relevant courses.

• NVQ Level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or Healthcare.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Previous Laboratory/ Healthcare experiences.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience of working with public or customer care.
• Awareness of the role of a Medical Laboratory.
• Awareness of Health and Safety.
• Understanding and general awareness of confidentiality within the NHS.
• Ability to handle blood and other bodily fluid samples.

• Experience of laboratory techniques.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and demonstrate using initiative to solve a problem appropriately.
• Accuracy and attention to detail whilst working under pressure.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills Including a patient and pleasant personality, with an empathetic approach to dealing with people.
• Positive attitude, Willing to learn, co-operative and reliable.
• Manual dexterity and hand eye co-ordination.
• Ability to manage and prioritise self in periods of heavy workload.
• Flexible attitude to working hours.

We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected] for assistance.