Medical Laboratory Assistant

Overview

The role is to undertake general laboratory reception duties to include the sorting, labelling and racking of specimens and patient data entry onto the laboratory computer system and the processing of these specimens in the busy Microbiology Department. Applicants should be methodical, flexible and able to work 7 days a week on rotation with colleagues. Weekend, early and late shifts are rostered, with the late shift extending to 10pm;

the laboratory operates 24/7.

The post holder is expected to work as part of a team in the Microbiology laboratory, both within sample reception and the main laboratory. After training they will be required to carry out basic laboratory procedures, accepting receipt and processing diagnostic specimens. Concentration and attention to detail are essential to these processes and form the greater part of the working day.

The post holder will offer a helpful and professional service to all visitors and telephone callers and will assist the Department of Microbiology in the provision of a high quality service.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services. We are proud of the diversity of our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that fulfils our values, improves quality of care for patients, and solves health care problems of tomorrow. We value diversity of thinking and lived experience to enable us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care.

We have been rated as “Good” by CQC and have received awards including The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020. The Trust supports flexible working arrangements and will consider requests to work flexibly.

Processing diagnostic specimens. Provide practical training in procedures within own area for new staff. Undertake laboratory specimen reception duties; sorting specimens and request forms in an orderly and efficient manner. Cleaning and disinfection of laboratory materials and equipment. Replenishing stocks of laboratory consumables. Safe disposal of laboratory waste. Operation of automated sample-processing and sterilization equipment requiring regular physical effort. Maintenance of certain laboratory instruments and updating quality control records and referring any inconsistencies to supervisors (e.g., Biomedical Scientists).

To accept and unload deliveries from suppliers.

Other duties as required by Microbiology sections. To see the full list of duties and main responsibilities, please refer to the full job description attached to the vacancy on the Trust website.

Essential criteria

• Experience of dealing with pathology samples

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a Microbiology Laboratory

Additional Essential Criteria

• IT literate
• Able to work in a busy environment and concentrate on your own work
• Evidence of excellent written and verbal English