Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant - Pathology Specimen Reception

The successful post holder will assist HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS) at UHB Laboratories situated across four sites: QE, BHH, GHH and Sol providing support to all laboratory disciplines and sections, namely, Biochemistry, Immunology, Haematology, Microbiology, Cellular pathology, Mortuary and Molecular pathology. As a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) the post holder will ideally have some knowledge of biomedical procedures, and with appropriate training and completion of competences, responsible for processing patient specimens and maintaining the diagnostic pathway. Where appropriate use of a document control procedures, quality management systems and SOPs will be mandatory and part of your daily routine. Knowing when to seek advice or escalate to a supervisor is expected. Key tasks for a MLA include but not restricted to, receiving, sorting, labelling and preparing specimens, resolving issues such as mislabelled or missing samples, performing reception duties, data entry (keyboard skills), dealing with telephone and routine enquiries, relaying test results to clinicians and other healthcare workers (as appropriate) and performing general housekeeping duties keeping the laboratory area clean and clutter free. Depending on competency assessment the post holder may be required to operate Specialist laboratory equipment.Main duties of the job Reception Duties

• Handle, dispose biological samples & hazardous chemicals safely following laboratory protocols
• Collect, receive, record details & check condition of incoming goods
• Receive, sort, check patient & request details, label, process, dispatch patient samples according to departmental procedures
• Prioritize urgent specimens & report errors/incidents to the team leader or manager as per departmental procedures
• Store & monitor samples, consumables & reagents under appropriate conditions, maintaining stock levels according to departmental procedures
Technical Duties
• Prepare reagents following standard operating procedures as directed by a supervisor or manager
• Perform various laboratory tests requiring speed, accuracy, & good hand-eye coordination, such as handling pipettes, microtomy, using a centrifuge, & specialist equipment
• Tidy, clean benches & work areas, decontaminate, & maintain laboratory equipment
• Monitor & record equipment conditions, such as temperature, air flow, & chemical levels, & report any non-conformances to a supervisor or manager
• File & scan paper & electronic records daily according to laboratory protocols
• Record specimen details, ensure traceability, & update information on laboratory systems like Q-Pulse
Health & Safety
• Adhere to the Directorate Health & Safety manual & participate in mandatory training
• Report safety concerns, adverse incidents, & accidents to a supervisor or manager using the Trust's incident reporting system (RADAR)
  
  We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.
Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to: Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives. UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work. University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.