Medical Laboratory Assistant
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
There are lots of good reasons to choose to come and work at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. A dynamic integrated Trust with integrity and vision. Exactly the same qualities you’ll see in yourself. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust aims to be the organisation of choice for patients and an employer of choice for staff.In order to continually improve all aspects of our patient experience, we rely upon having a highly skilled, motivated, diverse, productive and patient focused workforce.
Stockport Foundation Trust is one of four ‘specialist’ hospital sites in Greater Manchester. Being a ‘specialist’ hospital will enhance our general surgery, anaesthetics, critical care and emergency medicine for the benefit of people in Stockport, High Peak, Cheshire and across Greater Manchester.
Our values ‘We Care, We Respect, We Listen’ are at the heart of everything we do, and come from our promise: ‘Making a difference every day.’ They drive the behaviour and actions for everyone in our organisation.
In your application for this post, please describe how your experience and skills align with 'Our values-based behaviours' ( see additional documentation) and provide examples.
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
As well as recognising previous NHS service, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is a member of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. If you are currently employed by Greater Manchester Local Authority, Combined Authority, GMFRS, TfGM as well as other public service organisations, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust will recognise your previous service for sickness and maternity/paternity/adoption entitlement and also for annual leave purposes (providing there has been no break in service).If you currently work for one of the above organisations and successfully apply for a post with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, please ensure the Recruitment team are aware so that this service is reflected in your contract of employment.
Our Values:
We Care
About each other
Our patients and their families
The communities we serve
The environment
We support them and deliver on their promises
We Respect
Each other
Our patients and their families
Our partners
We are kind and helpful, and we expect the same in return
We Listen to
Each other
Our patients and their families
Our partners
We act and learn from what we hear
Job overview
The role is within the Microbiology team based at Stepping Hill Hospital. As a Medical Laboratory Assistant you will assist the Biomedical Scientists with the preparation and testing of samples to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients.The support required by the service dictates Monday to Friday working with rostered duties at weekends on a rotational basis.
The post has core hours between 9:00am-17:20pm with rostered early, late and weekend shifts.
Please note, this vacancy may close early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
Main duties of the job
Department of Microbiology (Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) Medical Laboratory Assistant - full time or part time hours available.
An excellent opportunity has arisen within the Microbiology Department at Stepping Hill Hospital for a medical laboratory assistant to join our professional team. The successful applicant would be joining a passionate and highly motivated staffing group providing diagnostic services to the hospital and patients of the GP practices in Stockport and the High Peak areas.
The role includes but is not limited to the processing of patient samples, enrolling patient data into the laboratory information management system and sterilization and disposal of laboratory waste.
The laboratory has ISO 15189 accreditation and is committed to providing a service of the highest quality 24 hours per 7 day week and requires flexibility to work at peak times to support this.
Working for our organisation
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance – for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union– for local financial advice
- Reception, recording and preparation of patient samples.
- To sort and identify specimens received in the Laboratory
- To enter patient’s details and sample data onto the computer
- To process and culture clinical samples according to specimen type and clinical details
- To assist the Biomedical Scientists by preparation of slides for examination and other technical duties as required under supervision of the Biomedical Scientists
- General clerical duties associated with the work of the Laboratory, including filing, telephone answering, photocopying etc.
- To unpack deliveries of culture media and monitor stocks of culture media on a day to day basis for use in the department.
- Safe disposal of clinical waste for the department and operation of the laboratory autoclave after appropriate training
- Perform other miscellaneous and technical duties under supervision and according to protocols laid down.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trust’s policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria- Good standard of numeracy and literacy
- GCSE standard Maths/English /Science
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Computer literacy
- Knowledge of laboratory processes
- Knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working as part of a team in a busy environment
- Experience of working in a laboratory environment
skills and abilities
Desirable criteria- Knowledge of Microbiology techniques and use of analysers
Applicants are encouraged to read the documents attached to this vacancy before applying, including the job description and person specification and the information for applicants which includes useful information to assist you in completing your application.
From time to time we may need to close a vacancy early when in receipt of a sufficient number of applications. If you are interested in this post and wish to be considered, we strongly advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note that all correspondence will be via your NHS Jobs account. Unfortunately we are not able to acknowledge each application. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.Please also note that Stockport NHS Foundation Trust are unable to refund Interview expenses or re-location costs.
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting and championing a culture of diversity, fairness and equality for all applicants and employees. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and we strive to reflect the community we serve in our diverse workforce.Our "two tick" kite mark guarantees a candidate with a disability, who fulfills the essential criteria, an interview at the Trust. We can make reasonable adjustments, and offer support and advice in a variety of ways on request.