Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job description

Job overview

Subject to contract and competency assessment, working hours will be 4pm to 8pm Monday to Friday.

To work as a Medical Laboratory Assistant required for a busy Blood Sciences Reception. The job is based at the New Cross Hospital Clinical Chemistry site and requires the successful candidate to work flexibly within the service needs.

A scientific background is not required for this role.

The role does not involve diagnostic testing, analysis, result authorisation, reporting, or other Biomedical Scientist level responsibilities.

Main duties of the job

Subject to contract and competency assessment, working hours will be 4pm to 8pm Monday to Friday.

This post is a Medical Laboratory Assistant support role focused on specimen reception, sample preparation, laboratory administration, and stock management.

The role does not include duties undertaken by Biomedical Scientists, such as diagnostic analysis, result authorisation, or independent scientific practice. Applicants should ensure that the responsibilities and salary band align with their career expectations.

The candidate will be an efficient and flexible member of the Reception area team undertaking general Specimen Reception duties including the receipt, sorting, organisation and data entry for pathological specimens submitted to the Department for investigation.

To work within the written Policies and Procedures of the Directorate especially in relation to Health & Safety and Quality.

To receive, sort and organise pathological samples sent from a variety of sources including all areas from the Trust and General Practitioners for investigation.

Take part in the specimen entry process using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) (Winpath). Ensure that all samples / request forms are correctly matched and fulfil the specimen acceptance criteria of the Directorate. Highlight any discrepancies to a senior member of staff.

Working for our organisation

Black Country Pathology Services (BCPS) was formed as a partnership by 4 trusts to ensure optimisation of resources. These Trusts are: The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, (DGFT), The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, (RWT), Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, (SWBH) and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, (WHT).

BCPS provides a world class service with potential to innovate. It serves 1.76 million patients and conducts 60 million tests. This partnership has led to over 27,000 more community phlebotomy appointments, improved TAT, access and workflows. All in all, allowing a better-quality service for the benefit of both employees and patients.

Due to this new formed network of trusts it also means that there are unique and amazing opportunities for work as well as a highly supportive training and development network.

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.

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.

Person specification

Knowledge/Skills

Essential criteria

• Experience of prioritising tasks and organising busy workloads
• Experience of working in a busy workplace and being to work under pressure
• Experience in a role where there is high volume of data entry
• Ability to work across BCPS sites when needed, undertaking a range of shift patterns covering 24 / 7 service

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a team and being a team player
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken English
• Workplace experience where data protection, data quality and patient confidentiality is required

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: