Medical Laboratory Assistant

Salary: £23,614 per annum (FTE) or pro-rata for part time staff

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Applications are invited from enthusiastic well motivated individuals to work in the Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics within the grounds of Southmead Hospital. The laboratory is housed in a modern, purpose-built laboratory and the successful candidate will be joining a busy but friendly team.

The Immunology department at North Bristol NHS Trust provides a diagnostic service for the local community serving a local population of approximately 500,000 and a referral service throughout the Southwest.

We are looking for a team player with excellent computer, administrative, practical and communications skills to be part of the small specimen reception area within Immunology. 

A 18:00 finish for working hours is preferred.

This is not a HCPC trainee post.

Please note the advert may close early if sufficient applications are received. You are advised to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position. 

Main duties of the job

Working as part of a team and under the direction of senior staff to assist in the day-to-day support work of the Immunology laboratory, including data entry, and assisting with the reception and preparation of clinical specimens for testing.

General laboratory duties such as cleaning and decontamination of equipment. Clerical duties such as scanning, filing and photocopying paper work.

Note this vacancy is a predominantly a data entry position with some sample processing and other laboratory and housekeeping roles. The post holder will be based in the Immunology laboratory.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol Trust is the largest NHS trust in the Southwest and serves a local population of 500,000. 10 years ago the trust relocated the majority of its acute services to the Brunel Building, one of the most advanced hospitals in Europe offering exemplary care in a beautiful and purpose-built environment, designed with the patient’s privacy and dignity in mind.

Alongside this, there has been significant investment and redevelopment of Pathology services with the building of new state of the art laboratories located in the Science Quarter at Southmead Hospital and the creation of Severn Pathology. The laboratory facilities accommodate all pathology disciplines including the Blood Sciences, Bristol Genetics Laboratory, a single Bristol Cellular Pathology Service and a combined Microbiology and Health Protection Agency service within one facility. Severn Pathology's aim is to provide a best in class, high quality, innovative, value for money pathology service that serves the needs of the healthcare market in the Southwest region and beyond. The pathology department processes over ten million samples per year.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To receipt samples and book in patient and sample details onto the laboratory computer system.
• To assist in the preparation of samples prior to analysis including urine, blood, and faecal samples. 
• To identify and process samples which do not meet required laboratory criteria. 
• Prioritise urgent samples and liaise with colleagues on receipt of such samples.
• To perform general housekeeping duties such as waste removal in line with trust policy, maintain adequate levels of laboratory consumables and personal protective equipment. 
• Perform clerical duties such as scanning and filing paperwork and photocopying.
• Assist in the cleaning and decontamination of equipment such as centrifuges. 
• Sort and dispose of faecal samples in line with laboratory policy. 

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• Numerate and literate.
• Work experience.

Essential criteria

• Team working.
• Keyboard skills.

Desirable criteria

• Working knowledge of laboratory procedures including health and safety.
• Working knowledge of the laboratory computer systems.
• Working knowledge of laboratory proceedures.
• Technically competent in preparation and processing of laboratory samples.

Knowledge skills and abilities

Essential criteria

• Can work accurately.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Ability to work with pathology specimens.
• Good Organisational skills.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

Desirable criteria

• Good coordination skills.
• Good Interpersonal skills.