Medical Laboratory Assistant
Job overview
We are a UKAS and IBMS accredited department serving a major university teaching hospital with many clinical specialties. The laboratories utilise state-of-the-art equipment. We provide a comprehensive range of haematology and blood transfusion laboratory services and specialty diagnostic testing and reference work for leukaemia, haemostasis, thrombosis and haemoglobinopathies.
We are looking for a suitably motivated and enthusiastic individual ideally with laboratory experience. You will have working knowledge of laboratory areas, including health and safety awareness and some practical and basic theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.
You will be required to work at all Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust sites, dependent on the needs of the service. The department is looking for an individual to work 24/7 shifts which will include earlies, lates, nights and weekends.You will be required to work your contracted hours as and when necessary to meet the service needs of the department. Shift patterns will be determined by your line manager and you are required to work your contracted hours as and when necessary to meet the service needs of the department.
Main duties of the job
Job Holder is expected to work under remote supervision of a Registered Biomedical Scientist following defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Processing specimens, monitoring and maintenance of equipment, assisting BMS staff in analytical techniques, and use of automated equipment.Selection of appropriate reagents, calibrators for laboratory tests to be performed following departmental SOPs. Perform complex manual /automated tests on ‘precious’ samples. Perform initial review of quality control/assay performance data prior to BMS approval.
To report by telephone urgent results to medical or nursing staff, GPs and other hospitals according to departmental policies. Handling of telephone enquiries to the Blood Transfusion department regarding sample and product availability. Tracking of Blood & Blood Components throughout the Trust to ensure appropriate storage and records are kept.
The cleaning and disinfection of equipment and laboratory areas and the disposal of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
Working for our organisation
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of £2.8bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.
We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification.This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.If you are unvaccinated, there is helpful advice and information available by searching on the ‘NHS England’ website where you can also find out more about how to access the vaccination.
Diversity Matters
MFT is 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 age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [email protected].
We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- GCSE english maths and science, Appropriate Science NVQ level 3, HCS Apprenticeship Level 2, IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or equivalent experience
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria- Have some knowledge of laboratory areas, and basic theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.
- Understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures and protocols.
- Evidence of training & development within a relevant pathology discipline.
Skills
Essential criteria- Evidence of teamwork. Able to communicate information both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
- Evidence of working as part of a team
- Effective at prioritising competing workloads, using time management skills.
IT Skills
Essential criteria- IT skills to include the use of laboratory IT systems
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria- Previous laboratory experience
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of telephone call handling
- Previous NHS experience