Medical Laboratory Assistant

Overview

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Pathology Sciences. Under the direction of senior staff to work as part of a team providing 24-7 support services to the Department of Pathology Sciences. The post will primarily be based within the Blood Sciences Sample Reception, however rotation to other areas of the department may also be required.

This is a part-time post of 15 hours per week. The postholder will be primarily required to work between 17:00 and 22:00 Monday - Friday but may include weekends and bank holidays. Initial training will take place during routine daytime hours. This is primarily a data input role with some handling of pathology specimens. This is not a training post and does not support completion of the HCPC Portfolio.

There is guidance on the use of Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and applicants are required to declare if they have used AI in their application.

• Data input of patient details and test request information
• Sorting, preparation and processing of clinical samples for biological testing
• Assisting with telephone helpdesk enquiries
• Communicating test results to appropriate healthcare professionals

This advert may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received; applicants are advised to apply promptly if interested.

The Blood Sciences Sample Reception team supports the Blood Sciences Automated Laboratory. We have approximately 35 staff in our reception team who work across various shifts to provide 24/7 support to the Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology laboratories. Our Autolab provides analysis of Pathology samples for the NBT Trust inpatients and outpatients and serves many GP practices.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building  are the regional Major Trauma Centre and an internationally recognised centre of excellence. Our vision is to enable our teams to be the best they can be, delivering exceptional healthcare.

We value all people as individuals and are committed to building a team that represents diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

For a full overview of the Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the PDF documents attached as additional documents to this advert.

• Receive and sort pathology samples; distribute samples to departments; label samples and prepare them for analysis
• Record and inform service users and senior staff of requests that do not comply with policy for Request Form and Specimen labelling
• Send and receive samples via the air tube system

• Enter data onto the laboratory computer system and retrieve data from department and other IT systems

• Deal with telephone and e-mail enquiries in an appropriate manner; respond to requests for test results and sample requirements; refer calls to appropriate staff

• Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust and departmental policies; clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment; assist with the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment; maintain adequate stocks of consumables

Education/Training/Qualifications

• Essential:
  Education to GCSE standard or equivalent in English, Maths and Sciences

Work Experience

• Essential:
  Experience of working as part of a team
• Essential:
  Experience of using computer systems and data input
• Desirable:
  Experience of working as a support grade worker in a UK Pathology Laboratory

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Essential:
  Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• IT and keyboard skills; ability to undertake own work and exercise initiative under supervision
• Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads; handle confidential information appropriately
• Desirable:
  Knowledge of sample types and requirements

If you apply and have not received communication within three weeks of the closing date, please assume you were unsuccessful. North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance. For special assistance, contact . The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have NHS service at the same band; progression is by annual increments. The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in the workforce. We particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.