Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·         Engages effectively and respectfully with patients, staff, and visitors; participates in meetings; manages telephone enquiries and shares results clearly

·         Deals helpfully, competently and confidentially with staff and laboratory visitors under the guidance of senior staff as required.

·         Demonstrates a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team. Adheres to guidelines from Public Health Wales; participates in quality audits and internal assurance; monitors equipment and reports incidents promptly.

·         Follows Standard Operating Procedures and participates in their review and update.

·        Undertakes sample reception tasks including checking specimens against request forms, numbering, labelling and booking in of specimens on the laboratory information management system. Contacting sending laboratories by telephone if any anomalies occur.

·         Supports and supervises new colleagues

·         When required receive stock and move stock around the department.

·         Will partake in regular cleaning of the department; ensures laboratory work areas are kept clean and tidy.

·         Contributes to the planning of own day-to-day workload, with Lead BMS / Principal Clinical Scientist.

·         Prepare solutions, reagents, and stains following standard operating procedures using aseptic techniques as required.

·         Routinely processes faeces, tissues and other bodily fluids

·         Undertakes separation of parasite cysts and oocysts from faecal and other samples.

·         Extracts DNA from faeces and (oo)cyst preparations.

·         Prepares and stains faecal smears on microscope slides.

·         Collect and safely dispose of Laboratory waste with strict adherence to the Laboratory’s safe waste disposal policy

·         Demonstrates manual dexterity for delicate tasks, ensuring a safe working environment.

·         Reads, interprets and transcribes sometimes distressing clinical details to the laboratory information system.

·        Occasional exposure to potentially confrontational queries from other laboratories involving specimens not received, leaked and not tested.

·         Engages in research and method evaluation to support inclusive service development.

·         Operates and maintains complex laboratory equipment including analysers, participating in testing and ensuring resource accessibility and security.

·         Mentors newly appointed Biomedical Support Workers, fostering an inclusive and collaborative learning environment.

·         Performs manual and computerised data entry; ensures data integrity through careful and respectful entry, safeguarding confidentiality and dignity.

·         Provides clerical assistance to the Unit, including liaising with external contacts, organising meetings and taking notes.

·         Collaborates on projects with project leads, incorporating diverse perspectives in evaluations of new equipment and methods.

·         Follows established procedures under supervision or independently, promoting safety and accountability at all times.

·         Engages in tasks requiring focus and resilience, addressing emotional aspects of sensitive work environments while safeguarding confidentiality.

·         Works with clinical specimens and microorganisms in controlled environments, prioritising health and safety for all team members.

·         Act within your competencies. If in doubt, consult your line manager or supervisor.

·         All staff are expected to manage risks by assessing situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting incidents and hazards.

·         Legally responsible for managing all records related to your work. Consult your manager with questions. Respect and safeguard confidentiality and sensitive information.