Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide a rapid, reliable and efficient service by performing a comprehensive range of routine and specialized analyses.
• Perform investigations and analytical techniques unsupervised whilst organizing own work tasks, normally under the direction of a Section Leader.
• The post holder is required to rotate through all the sections of the department including specimen reception.
• Apply the approved Standard Operating Procedures used in the Department.
• Assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures, and recommend improvements and amendments as necessary.
• Perform complex manual and automated analytical investigations requiring specialist skills.
• Operate complex, high value analytical equipment without supervision.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and repair faults in complex laboratory instruments, ensuring essential services are maintained in the event of technical failure.
• Prepare reagents, control materials and calibrators with a high degree of accuracy and precision.
• Required to work with hazardous and noxious chemicals, and with frequent exposure to uncontained body substances.
• Check reliability of results to ensure accuracy and precision by applying quality assurance statistical criteria.
• Interpretation of results requiring subjective judgement and analytical expertise. 
• Recognise grossly abnormal and life threatening results.
• Validate and report test results in a timely fashion so that they may be acted on as necessary by clinicians.
• Provide technical interpretation and comment on validity of results.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of patient results, quality control data and calculations.
• Participate in departmental audit and internal / external Quality Assurance programmes.
• Work with laboratory and Trust information systems.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and repair faults with laboratory point of care equipment in clinical areas and liaise with service engineers and ward staff as required.
• Supervision of MLA and Trainee BMS staff.
• Assist in the department’s stock control procedures.
• Adhere to the departmental Quality management systems.
• General clerical and administrative tasks.
• Selection, matching and timely issuing of correct blood products in response to medical prescription,
• Maintain adequate supplies of all blood products, liaising with Blood Transfusion Service and other outside agencies.
• Maintain an accurate audit trail of the fate of all blood products.
• Ensure that blood products are stored in compliance with National      Guidelines