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The Pathology Partnership
Job Title: Medical Laboratory Assistant
Band: 2
Reporting to: Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Accountable to: Laboratory Manager
Responsible for: Following policies and procedures for own work area
Department: Pathology
Location: Hub/Satellite – A normal place of work will be confirmed upon
appointment but in order to meet the needs of the service staff may be required from time to time to work at another Pathology
Partnership hub or satellite laboratory.
Key relationships: Laboratory manager, clinicians, other healthcare workers, pathology colleagues
Background:
The Pathology Partnership is a consortium of six Trusts which are working together to provide a transformed pathology service to the six Trusts. The Trusts are:
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust
Colchester Hospital University NHS FT Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust West Suffolk Hospital NHS FT
The transformed service is to be delivered via a hub and satellite structure through a generic rather than specialist approach where appropriate. This role is generic where appropriate combined with specific tasks relevant to providing support to the Executive Management team, and is based on national Agenda for Change profiles, and applies to working in either a hub or a satellite setting.
Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust (CUH) is the host for the Pathology Partnership and therefore also the employer for this role.
More information about the Pathology Partnership and how services are to be delivered is available at: http://thepathologypartnership.info
Page 2 of 5 Job Summary
Performs a range of routine healthcare science activities under supervision, e.g. sample preparation and storage
Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out.
To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.
The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
Maintain and promote professional image of the Pathology Partnership NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence
Key Duties of the role
Technical and scientific1. Under supervision, perform a range of laboratory activities accurately and efficiently.
2. Responsible for sample receipt, numbering and data entry on to the computer system. Make judgements in accordance with policies and procedures to identify, action and report mislabelled or mislaid specimens, unsuitable sample or process failure.
3. Supports quality control processes.
4. Participate in the day to day management of stock control and usage. This may include maintaining Blood Transfusion stock levels and records and monitor usage to ensure efficient use where appropriate.
5. Assist in the introduction of new processes and systems.
6. Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
7. Use equipment in a safe manner and report any equipment faults to a more senior member of staff.
8. Participate in processing samples for Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.
Communication
1. Communicates with colleagues and clinicians, e.g. provides test results by telephone as appropriate
2. Undertake reception duties, including communication with patients.
Page 3 of 5 Information resources
1. Records test results and maintain integrity, accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by self.
2. Be able to record test results on the computer and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures.
3. To ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to Data Protection Act and Caldicott Guidelines.
4. Be able to use Laboratory Information system, email, internet and automated operating systems, and other software packages as required.
Quality/Governance/Risk Management
1. Follow policies and procedures ensuring that the quality management system of the Partnership is complied with.
2. Comment on proposals for change to appropriate policies and Standard Operating Procedures within own area.
3. Assist in audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements within own area.
4. Complete incident forms where appropriate.
Education, Training and Development
1. Support less experienced staff where required and demonstrates own work.
2. Participates in appraisal process in line with current policies.
3. Participate in continual professional development.
4. Responsible for personal education, training and competencies.
Leadership and line management responsibilities
a. Organises own work.
Other responsibilities:
The post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post. Additional responsibilities will be assigned to the post holder depending on the needs of the Board. These
responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holder’s agreement. These responsibilities may be associated with specialised roles.
Page 4 of 5 General Compliance:
1. To comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures, with particular regard to
- Risk Management - Health & Safety - Information Governance - Confidentiality - Data Quality - Freedom of Information - Equal Opportunities
2. All staff have a responsibility to comply with the current infection prevention and control policies, procedures and standards and ensure they have received an annual update on infection prevention and control issues including hand hygiene. All staff should practice and encourage appropriate hand hygiene and act professionally to ensure the working environment is clean, safe and tidy.
3. To perform your duties to the highest standard with particular regard to effective and efficient use of resources, maintaining quality and contributing to improvements.
4. To follow all the Trust’s security policies and procedures and be vigilant to ensure a safe and secure environment.
5. All staff that have access to or transfers any data are responsible for those data, it must be kept secure and they must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the common law on confidentiality. All data must be kept in line with the Trust’s policies and procedures. Data includes all types of data e.g. patient, employee, financial, electronic, hard copies of printed data or handwritten data etc.
6. The post holder is responsible for data quality and complying with the policies, procedures and accountability arrangements of the host Trust for maintaining accuracy and probity in the recording of the host Trust’s and Partnership’s activities. 7. The Trust is committed to carefully screening all staff who work with children and
vulnerable adults. Where appropriate, appointments will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure of the appropriate Level if required.
8. All staff will receive training on Child Protection -Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures as part of Induction and annual updates, this will equip the post holder with the knowledge of what you will need to do if you have concerns about the welfare of a child/young person under aged 18.
9. To uphold the Trust’s Values and Behaviour standards. To uphold the Partnership’s Values and Behaviours once these have been developed and adopted.
Every post holder can make a difference to a patient’s experience. You will come across patients as you walk around hospitals within the Pathology Partnership; we rely on all our staff to be helpful, kind and courteous to patients, visitors and each other.
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members of the team, other hospital staff and users of the Pathology Partnership services. It is essential that a friendly, courteous and professional manner is promoted at all times.
This job description may be altered to meet changing service needs, and will be reviewed in consultation with the post holder.
