Medical Laboratory Assistant (Higher level)

Job description

Job overview

Applications are invited for the post of Higher MLA in the Faecal and Automation Laboratory department from suitably qualified candidates.

The Departments are UKAS accredited and serve a population of around 410,000. They provide a full range of analytical services to the Wolverhampton and Cannock patients and process in excess of 1 million samples per year. The laboratories are well equipped and are housed in a new state of the art building.

After training Band 3 MLAs provide a range of different support roles such as skilled support to the laboratory by undertaking a range of routine and technical tasks to ensure the smooth and efficient processing of samples. In addition to the core MLA responsibilities, Band 3 staff carry out more advanced duties requiring greater accuracy, independence, and technical competence. Concentration and attention to detail are essential to these processes.

The post holders will be expected to participate in all OOHs shifts as per current rota (includes over an extended working day and at weekends)

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of a team within a designated section of the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory. Following appropriate training, they will provide skilled support by undertaking a range of routine and technical tasks to ensure the smooth and efficient processing of samples.

In addition to the core MLA responsibilities, Band 3 staff are expected to carry out more advanced duties that require a higher level of accuracy, independence, and technical competence. These tasks support Biomedical Scientists in the processing of diagnostic specimens, and therefore demand strong concentration and attention to detail.

The post holder will deliver a helpful, professional, and customer-focused service to all visitors and telephone callers, contributing to the provision of a high-quality laboratory service.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We're passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.

We are delighted that we have been rated as "Good" by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.

The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic Medical Laboratory Assistant who would welcome the challenge to join our friendly team in this hospital laboratory. The successful candidate will be expected to work in a busy environment alongside a team of Consultants, Scientists and support staff.

You will be expected to work across Automation and the faecal lab which will include working late shifts, weekends, bank holidays and night working to ensure a 24-hour laboratory service.

Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment would be advantageous although full training and support relevant to your level of experience will be given to the successful applicant.

Key Responsibilities

Receive, verify and book in routine diagnostic specimens

Sort, label, aliquot and store samples appropriately

Centrifuge samples and prepare worklists

Record and package referral samples and arrange transport

Review outstanding worklists

Interrogate the laboratory information system to resolve issues

Assist technical and scientific staff in day-to-day operations

Perform laboratory tests once trained e.g. sample extractions

Operate laboratory instrumentation, including basic maintenance, QC checks, loading/unloading

Maintain accurate records, including equipment maintenance logs

Clean and disinfect laboratory equipment and materials

Prepare 24-hour urine bottles and perform general housekeeping tasks as required

Replenish consumables and prepare/load reagents

Safely dispose of laboratory waste

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to work under pressure in a Chemistry Laboratory

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to maintain and operate Biochemistry Automated analysers

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge on automated chemistry analysers

Communication

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate with team leader and wider team to deliver effective service

Shift work

Essential criteria

• Have worked OOH shifts that include lates, night and weekends

Flexible Working - As a major employer in the Black Country and West Birmingham region we are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance. We want the Black Country and West Birmingham region to be the best place to work and as such will consider all requests to work flexibly taking into account personal and individual circumstances alongside the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the Recruiting Manager as part of the on-boarding process.

Qualifications - Please be advised that if the post that you are applying for requires any level of qualification (e.g. A-Levels, Degree etc) or Professional Registration (e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council etc) you will be required to provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. By submitting your application you are giving the Trust permission to check the qualification certificates provided back to the source provider. Please note that a sample of all applicant's qualifications will be checked with the educational institution or provider. Furthermore, a sample of all applicants' qualifications will be checked back to the educational institution or provider to interview letters to further deter fraud.

Visa/Sponsorship Information

In line with UKVI requirements, the Trust is unable to sponsor any applicants for Skilled Woker Visas who do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements including applicable salary thresholds and concessions. Before applying, please ensure that you have the right to work in the UK, or that the role is eligible for sponsorship. For more information, please visit: