There is currently a vacancy for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Histology within the department of Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology. As a Medical Laboratory Assistant you would work as part of a team, helping Consultant Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists in the management of patient’s samples for diagnosis. You will be required to have a professional attitude to work, work closely with staff at all levels and have an eye for detail and accuracy. The position is full time 37.5hrs per week and a flexible attitude to working hours is necessary. Hours are within a framework of 07:00 - 19:00 hrs mainly between 08:00 and 17:00 including some weekend working. Provides basic clinical technical services to patients. Provide technical laboratory support work. Prepares and processes clinical specimens for diagnostic testing. Accepts or rejects a clinical request by reference to the specimen acceptance policy (SAP). Provides advice and demonstrates activities to new / inexperienced staff. Applies departmental quality system to all aspects of the work. Observe and apply the Directorate and Trust Health and Safety and Security policies Deals with reception, telephone and email enquiries from users outside the department. The post holder must at all times carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy It is the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors and staff It is the responsibility of the post holder to ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work All staff who have access to or transfer data are responsible for that data and must respect confidentiality and comply with the requirement of the Data Protection Act 1998, in line with the Trust’s policies Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise. Previous Working knowledge of histology laboratory bench areas and reception, test repertoire and specimen containers. A basic level of medical laboratory science gained through completion of the RCHT Pathology Training Logbook competencies. Knowledge of safety, including infectious diseases and dangerous chemicals. Knowledge of laboratory & hospital computer systems. A good standard of general education as demonstrated by CSE / GCSE in 4 subjects including Math’s, Science and English as a minimum Good interpersonal skills, with ability to coordinate and direct others Calm and logical under pressure and able to cope with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. Able to keep accurate and detailed records Keyboard skills Manual dexterity Reception skills Capable of frequent and extended periods of concentration. Works accurately with good attention to detail. Good verbal communications and telephone manner. Exercises initiative in judgments involving straightforward job related facts and situations but applies the correct balance between using initiative and seeking direction & guidance Able to recognise and prioritise urgent specimens. Able to follow Standard Operating Procedures accurately. Motivated and a positive attitude to team work. Ability to organise own work tasks and activities. Able to work well in a team Good hand / eye coordination where speed and accuracy are important. Able to cope with daily exposure to unpleasant and malodorous specimens Able to train less experienced staff Good hand and eye co-ordination with the manual dexterity to be able to be trained to cut histology tissue sections Able to assimilate new information and implement new / revised work procedures Previous NHS laboratory experience Reception and clerical experience Knowledge of laboratory computer system. Reception, clerical and keyboard experience. Monitor consumable stock levels including updating, checking, storing, reporting and initial stock control. Ordering stock and receipting goods received on a computer based system Identify requests / reports which will lead to private bills being generated and to action these as directed. Liaising with the Pathology Consultant and Clinical Scientific staff for the referral of pathological specimens, at all times being cognisant of the regulations governing such dispatch. Distribution and dispatch of material (post, specimens, goods .5 etc) including referrals to other laboratories. Specimen sorting, matching, labelling and distribution, including; prioritising urgent work, dealing with unsuitable specimens and implementing the departmental policy for rejecting specimens. Data entry and IT systems. Pre analytical specimen preparation and equipment loading, including fast track reception and preparation for analyses of an urgent nature. Post analytical laboratory and clerical work. Clerical tasks including filing and retrieval of request forms, laboratory reception and use of office equipment. Performance of protocol (Standard Operating Procedure) determined, routine semi-automated & manual tests under BMS supervision. Operation and maintenance of mechanised laboratory equipment, following operating protocols. First line maintenance and fault finding on laboratory equipment. Maintenance and quality checks of out station equipment (Point of care equipment on wards). Technical laboratory support work (e.g. Weighing, measuring and making up reagents, specimen filing etc.) Preparation, distribution and result transmission of quality assurance material. To be aware of and adhere to the requirements, policies and procedures of the Quality Management System operating in Pathology. To apply the Universal Precautions policy at all times. Undertake appropriate mandatory training. To work as part of a team providing technical laboratory support to the laboratories. To ensure staff deal with all samples in a safe manner which takes into account local Health and Safety policies and which observes rules of confidentiality at all times. Distribution and dispatch of material (post, specimens, goods etc) Specimen unpacking, sorting, matching, labelling and distribution, including; prioritising urgent work, dealing with unsuitable specimens and implementing the departmental policy for rejecting specimens. Patient and request data entry. Specimen preparation, including fast track reception and preparation for tests of an urgent nature. Post laboratory and clerical work, including the dispatch of reports. Clerical tasks including filing and retrieval of request forms, laboratory reception and use of office equipment. To be aware of and adhere to the requirements, policies and procedures of the Quality Management System operating in Pathology. To apply the Universal Precautions policy at all times. Undertake appropriate mandatory training. To work in a safe manner, in accordance with the Trust and Laboratory safety policies, using Personal protective equipment and other control measures when required To work safely with bio-hazardous materials adopting “Universal Precautions” as appropriate. To work safely with corrosive, flammable and other hazardous chemicals To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner To attend annual mandatory security, safety, fire and manual handling training To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory To report accidents and near misses according to the laboratory protocol To observe departmental policies on Manual Handling procedures, Violence and Aggression, COSHH and general H&S. General cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of laboratory work benches and some laboratory equipment. To observe waste disposal protocols. To observe departmental and Trust rules on security. This advert closes on Monday 29 Apr 2024