This information package has been compiled to provide prospective candidates with details of the post advertised.
The contents of this package are as follows:
· Post Information Sheet
· Job Advertisement
· Job Description
· Guidance Notes for completion of the application for employment form
· Application Form & Equal Opportunities Monitoring form (Please note that the application form will not be submitted for shortlisting without a completed equal opportunities monitoring form).
· Confirmation of Right to Work in the UK Statement*
· Please do not attach a CV with, or as part of your application. NHS Lanarkshire does not accept application by CV and therefore this will not be included with your application for shortlisting purposes.
· Terms and Conditions of Employment
Please refer to NHS Lanarkshire’s website http://www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/Careers/Pages/values-competency-based-interviews.aspx for further information on our recruitment process.
All posts are subject to competency based interviews. There is more information on the recruitment process for this on Firstport:
- Welcome to NHS Lanarkshire
- About the Selection Process
- -Guide to completing an Application form
- Values and Competencies Interviews
- Overview of the Values and Competency Frameworks
* NHS Lanarkshire has a legal obligation to ensure that all prospective employees have the right to work in the UK. Please see the Terms and Conditions for this post for further information.
Please note that NHS Lanarkshire does not routinely acknowledge receipt of application forms.
REFERENCE No: 0218/39264MK
JOB TITLE: Medical Laboratory Assistant
£17,760 - £20,727 per annum
GRADE: Band 3
LOCATION: University Hospital Wishaw
HOURS: 37.5
CONTRACT DURATION: Permanent
The post holder will be expected to collect and prepare materials/clinical specimens for analysis and safe disposal of clinical waste. They will Register patient related information onto Laboratory Information System or other manual systems while dealing with reception and telephone queries from staff from other departments and external agencies. The role includes providing assistance to the Biomedical Scientist for provision of a laboratory service and performing specific laboratory tests with senior staff available for reference.
To be considered for this post you will have to have standard grade English and a science subject. You are required to have supervised training for a minimum of one year due to the wide range of duties encompassed within the job, equivalent to National Vocational Qualification Level 3. You should have a good understanding of Biomedical Science along with good communication / organisational skills. For this post you will be working in a rota covering 08:00am – 10:00pm (5 days over 7) and at weekends 08:00am – 04:00pm. You will also be required to take part in Overnight working rota from 10pm – 8am along with mortuary working.
Should you wish to discuss the post in more detail, please contact Kirsty Taggart, Lead BMS, telephone on 01236 712 111.
Whilst this advertisement may be for a specific post(s) in a particular location, applicants who are shortlisted for interview may be considered for similar vacancies in alternative locations.
In the interest of being green – environmentally friendly, the preferred method of receiving applications is by email to
If however you require to post your application form please return it to Recruitment – HR Service Centre, Law House, Airdrie Road, Carluke, ML8 5EP. Should you experience any difficulty, please contact Recruitment – HR Service Centre on 01698 377740. Please ensure that you submit your application in advance of the closing date. Late applications will not be forwarded for shortlisting. When submitting your completed application please take note of the following: Please allow 2 days for postal deliveries NHS Lanarkshire does not routinely acknowledge receipt of application forms. Please note that should you contact the Recruitment Service to discuss any queries regarding your application, it is advisable that you retain the job reference number as you will be asked to quote this when you call. In the meantime, I wish you success with your application.
Applications from candidates who require a Tier 2 Certificate of sponsorship (formerly Work Permits) will only be considered if no suitable UK or EEA national is identified for this post. For further information on the UK Border Agency’s new points based System which now governs the way individuals from outside the EEA can work in the UK please visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Closing date: 08/03/2018
Interview date: TBC
Short-listed applicants may be contacted by email where you have submitted an email address.
Please check your emails regularly. Including your spam and junk folders.
1. JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title: Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)
Department(s): Pathology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology
CAJE ID: HSS.0120
No of Job Holders:
2. JOB PURPOSE
· Collects and prepares materials and clinical specimens for analysis and safe disposal of clinical waste.
· Registers patient related information onto Laboratory Information System or other manual systems.
· Deals with reception and telephone queries from staff from other departments and external agencies.
· Provides assistance to the Biomedical Scientist for provision of a laboratory service.
· Performs specific laboratory tests with senior staff available for reference.
· Pathology based posts will receive, store and release deceased patients from the mortuary
· Assists in the training of new or less experienced staff.
3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
The Clinical Laboratories in NHSL comprise departments of Biochemistry, Haematology (including Blood Transfusion), Microbiology (including Virology) and Pathology (including Cytology and Mortuary Services).
A comprehensive, analytical, interpretative and clinical advisory laboratory based service is provided to:
· Hospital In-patient, Out-patient and Day Care Units.
· General Practitioners in Primary Care and Community Health Services and Hospitals.
· Public Health Medicine.
· NHSL Occupational Health and Safety Service (SALUS).
· Procurators Fiscal in Hamilton, Airdrie and Lanark.
The Laboratories support point of care testing directly in wards and clinics and at local Health Centres e.g. one stop breast, anticoagulant and diabetes clinics and provide training for patients in self use devices e.g. diabetes monitoring.
In addition, the services collaborate in a range of research and development and clinical audit projects with clinicians and other Healthcare professionals and provide research and development support to drug and diagnostic companies.
A staff of 270 provide services to a Lanarkshire population of 563,000 with a total of more than 10 million investigations per annum. Approximately 50% of the investigations are carried out for hospital based patients and 50% for the 360 General Practitioners in around 100 locations. Population screening programmes include Cervical Cytology, Blood Borne Virus Testing (e.g. antenatal screening) and other investigations linked to programmes of health improvement across the country.
All acute aspects of the service operate 24 hours each day 365 days per year.
The service is provided by various professionals including Biomedical Scientists, Administrative and Clerical Staff, Clinical Scientists, Cytology Screeners, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Medical Staff, Mortuary Staff, Nursing Staff and Phlebotomy Staff.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Policies and Procedures
· Adherence to policies and procedures relevant to all areas of work in accordance with Departmental, Directorate, Hospital and regulatory requirements. These would include the following:
o All Standard Operating Procedures
o Quality Management Policies
o External Quality Assessment and Internal Quality Control
o Laboratory and Hospital Health and Safety
o Risk Management
o NHSL policies and current data protection legislation
o Participation in annual joint review/personal development planning
Technical Duties
· Work under the supervision of a State Registered Biomedical Scientist or Reception Supervisor or Senior Mortuary Staff.
· Prepare samples for analysis and register the request ensuring accuracy of sample identification and documentation.
· Centrifuge and separate samples into secondary tubes for testing.
· Respond to questions and enquiries by page, telephone and in person. If unable to assist, direct enquiries to the appropriate staff member.
· Organise samples for storage and retention in accordance with Department Policy and Procedure.
· Process samples being referred to reference laboratories outwith the Hospital and accurately document these transfers with adherence to packaging and transport policy and procedures.
· May be required to prepare and assist with secondary testing e.g. basic tests to identify pathogenic bacteria and tests to identify antibiotic sensitivity.
· May be required to collect venous blood samples from patients using a variety of blood collection systems and techniques at ward level and out-patient departments.
· Receipt, registration, storage and discharge of bodies from NHSL mortuaries.
· Measure bodies in the body fridges and pass this information to undertakers
· To arrange, prepare and carry out viewings of deceased if requested by relatives
· May be required to perform near patient testing at clinics.
· Loading and unloading samples onto automated analysers including recognition of samples requiring further tests according to Standard Operating Procedures.
· Manage time and resources effectively in carrying out all duties of the post.
· Operation of Autoclave for sterilisation of samples and Bacteriology media.
· Prepare special media for Bacterial culture and pouring onto plates.
· Store samples and file slide material.
· Carry out relevant administrative and clerical duties.
· May be required to file and mail laboratory reports.
· May be required to wash glassware and pipettes.
· Monitor and record stock levels.
· Prepare basic chemical solutions.
· Safe disposal of specimens and other consumables.
· Perform delegated duties as agreed with senior laboratory staff.
· May be required to receive, record, arrange storage and release of deceased patients.
Information Resources
· Keyboard skills important with high levels of speed and accuracy when using the laboratory computer to input patient/specimen details and when accessing patient information.
· Register the request ensuring accuracy of sample identification and documentation.
· May be required to produce lists of outstanding investigations.
· Registers patient related information and sample identification onto the Laboratory Information System or other manual systems.
Supervisory
· Demonstrates technical duties to other less experienced staff.
· Provides advice and guidance when required.
Quality Control and Quality Management
· May be required to perform specific simple blood tests and perform the quality control for these with senior staff available for reference.
· Record keeping of maintenance equipment e.g. centrifuges and fridges.
· Maintaining records of laboratory fridges and freezers operating temperatures.
· Responsible for communicating policy non-compliance to a senior member of staff.
Research and Development
· Participates in audits as necessary.
· May process and store samples for clinical trials.
Teaching/Training
· Acts as a mentor to less experienced Medical Laboratory Assistants.
6. EQUIPMENT & MACHINERY
A wide range of equipment is used to perform duties with costs ranging from £100 to £100,000, examples of a few of these are:
· Use of hospital and laboratory IT systems to input patient data and process all requests.
· Use of computer to produce labels and worksheets from Microsoft Office and laboratory IT system.
· Operate and perform instrument checks on autoclaves to decontaminate hospital high-risk waste on a daily basis.
· Maintenance, cleaning and operation of fridges, freezers, balances, analysers and centrifuges used by themselves and others.
· Use of manual and automated pipettes.
· Use of phlebotomy trolley and blood collection systems.
· Use of instruments to perform near patient testing.
· Use of photocopiers, printers, scanners, date and time logging equipment.
· Use of hydraulic lifting equipment in the mortuary.
7. SYSTEMS
· Ensure the integrity of the patient database within the laboratory computer system by accurate registration of patient demographics and request details.
· Operation of electronic sample tracking system and compliance with sample storage, retrieval and disposal procedures.
· Complies with Quality Management System.
· Queries the Hospital Patient Management System (PMS).
· Works to safe standards as detailed in Containment of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Risk Assessments and Laboratory Health and Safety Procedures.
8. DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS
· Follows Standard Operating Procedures with senior staff available for reference.
· Follows established acceptance and rejection criteria for matching patient request and samples.
· Follows all related Directorate Policies and Procedures.
· Uses own initiative to prioritise urgent work.
· Ensure appropriate tests are requested for defined clinical conditions.
· Ensures appropriate stock levels are maintained.
9. COMMUNICATIONS & RELATIONSHIPS
· Responds to telephone enquiries and when appropriate, directs enquiries to other senior staff.
· Will communicate with patients during testing at Clinics and during receipt of patient samples where tact and empathy are required.
· Communicates with other staff groups including Medical, Nursing, Clerical, Porters, Estates Staff and Drivers.
· Communicates with bereaved relatives, Undertakers, Police and Procurators Fiscal in relation to deceased patients.
· Communicates specimen results to users in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
· Assists in the training of less experienced MLAs.
· Participates in departmental meetings and directorate seminars and contributes to effective communication within the department.
· Communicates non-conformities to other senior staff.
10. DEMANDS OF THE JOB (physical, mental, emotional)
Physical Skills
· Collection of blood by venepuncture or fingerstab requires manual dexterity and good hand to eye co-ordination.
· Keyboard skills using high levels or speed and accuracy.
· Speed and accuracy required when inoculating specimens.
· Accurate pipetting when performing test.
· Manual handling of deceased patients in the mortuary.
Physical Demands
· Disposal of clinical waste containers and needle sharps.
· Controlled exposure to reagents, chemicals and solvents during test analysis.
· Phlebotomy involves postural bending and the laboratory work involves a combination of sitting and standing.
· Constant hand washing and glove changes to reduce the possibility of Hospital Acquired Infection.
· A great deal of manual handling is involved including pushing heavy trolleys around wards including manipulation of hospital beds.
· Frequent lifting including bench top equipment, reagents, stores and waste disposal products lifting weights in excess of 10kgs.
· Autoclave duties involves bending and lifting of boxes of media, daily waste and metal boxes.
· Lifting and handling deceased patients with and without hydraulic lifting equipment.
Mental Demands
· High degree of concentration involved in correct patient identification, labelling, data input and sample processing.
· The ability to prioritise work is essential.
· Working often under stressful conditions and during unsocial hours.
· There are frequent interruptions from phone calls and competing priorities.
· Involved in maintaining a service in the presence of possible adverse events including equipment failure.
Emotional Demands
· Occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances when dealing with taking blood samples from very ill or senile patients and or dealing with grieving relatives.
· Dealing with the possible violent and aggressive behaviour of patients.
· Emotional effort in dealing with bereaved relatives.
Working Conditions
· Continuous, unavoidable exposure to open samples of blood and other potentially infectious biological body fluids.
· Manual manipulation of highly unpleasant specimens, sampling from faeces specimens for culture.
· Continuous risk of exposure to or spillage of reagents, chemicals, solvents, radioactive isotopes, during test analysis, many of which are potentially hazardous or carcinogenic.
11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
· Processing and preparing large numbers of specimens for analysis.
· Working with samples from highly infectious patients/specimens.
· Dealing with patients with poor veins and deciding best access.
· Dealing with patients or relatives who may be anxious and aggressive.
· Maintaining a high degree of concentration and accuracy while performing repetitive and monotonous tasks.
· Multi-tasking nature of the job containing laboratory, clerical, clinical and domestic duties.
12. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
· Standard Grade English and a Science Subject essential.
· A good understanding of Biomedical Science.
· Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is preferred but training will be provided.
· Extended supervised training for a minimum of one year due to the wide range of duties encompassed within the job equivalent to National Vocational Qualification Level 3.
· High awareness of Infection Control Policies and Procedures.
· Good keyboard skills.
· Manual dexterity essential.
· Ongoing personal development in subject through attendance at appropriate meetings and courses.
Job Description Agreement
Job Holder’s Signature
Print Name
Date
Head of Department Signature
Print Name
Date
NHS LANARKSHIRE
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Medical Laboratory Assistant – Band 3 – Caje ID HSS.0120
Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications & Training
Level of education, professional qualifications, training and
learning programmes/courses / Standard grade English and a Science Subject
Extended supervised training for a minimum of one year due to the wide range of duties encompassed within
the job equivalent to National Vocational Qualification Level 3
Ongoing personal development in subject through attendance at appropriate meetings and courses
Experience
Length and type of experience,
level at which experience gained / Previous NHS laboratory
experience would be beneficial
Laboratory experience
Knowledge
Depth and extent of knowledge / A good understanding of Biomedical Science
Knowledge of anatomy and
Physiology is preferred but training
will be given
High awareness of Infection Control Policies and Procedures
Skills/Abilities
Range and level of skills
i.e. communication (oral, written, presentation),
planning/organisation,
numeracy, leadership etc / Good keyboard skills
Good communication skills
particularly oral, written and presentation
Good organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure
Specific Job Requirements
Environmental conditions, unsociable hours, car driver etc / Working in rota covering 8am – 10pm
(5 days over 7) and at weekends
8am – 4pm
Overnight working 10pm – 8am in a rota
Mortuary working
Signed: / Date:
PRINT NAME: / Designation:
GUIDANCE NOTES
FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT FORM
Introduction