Medical Laboratory Assistant - London, United Kingdom - Barts Health NHS Trust

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    Full time
    Description

    Job overview

  • We are looking for a band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant for the Central Specimen Reception Department. This is a full time permanent position (37.5 hours per week).
  • The department provides a 24/7 service and the successful candidate will be required to participate in the shift system to cover early, late, weekend and bank holiday rosters. Some night duties may also be required.

    This role will be based at the Royal London Hospital or Homerton Hospital, however cross site working will be required and the successful applicant may be required to work at any of our NHS ESEL Pathology Partnership sites.

    The laboratories are UKAS and HCPC accredited. Our commitment to supporting continuing professional development is evidenced by an excellent training record

    We are recruiting to 7 - Permanent post and 1 - Fixed Term 12 Months

    Main duties of the job

  • The duties will be varied and we have a team of MLA's who undertake tasks on a rotational basis.
  • The post holder is expected to work as part of a team to receive, sort, book distribute specimens within Pathology. Core duties involve receipting of specimens and entering data into the laboratory information systems, basic preparation of specimens where appropriate, and placing them into racks on automated tracks or taking them to laboratory areas for processing.

    We are looking for a person with a positive attitude to working in a flexible manner and with the ability to work accurately when under pressure to meet deadlines. The post will require a keen eye for detail and accuracy.

    The successful candidate should have the ability to follow written protocol, along with the ability to work with minimal supervision.

    Working for our organisation

    The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.

    The Pathology Partnership is based on well-established models for pathology networks, with the Royal London Hospital becoming the main hub laboratory for the network and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at all other Hospital sites. Pathology is made up of the following services - Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry; Infectious Diseases including Microbiology and Virology; Cellular Pathology including Histopathology, non-gynae Cytology and mortuary services; Immunology; Cytogenetics and Molecular Haematology; Immunophenotyping; Clinical Transplantation and Retinoblastoma.

    The 2020/21 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £126m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 822 WTE. We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.

    Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • The requirements for this position are English, Maths and Science GCSE's at A-C Level. Previous NHS experience and working within a laboratory based environment is advantageous.
  • Please refer to the Job description and person specification for a detailed description of the job requirement.

    Person specification

    Experience

    Essential criteria

  • Able to undertake VDU work
  • Desirable criteria

  • Previous computing experience or VDU work
  • Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries
  • Skills

    Essential criteria

  • Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures
  • Methodical and organised Manual dexterity
  • Ability to work on own initiative Polite, helpful and confident manner
  • Desirable criteria

  • Good keyboard skills
  • Knowledge

    Essential criteria

  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Desirable criteria

  • Previous laboratory based work experience
  • Qualifications

    Essential criteria

  • GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent
  • Desirable criteria

  • GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent
  • Other

    Essential criteria

  • Able to undertake 'house keeping duties
  • Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations
  • Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
  • The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
  • Desirable criteria

  • Previous NHS experience