Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Knowledge:

•      Sufficient experience working in a laboratory environment with preferable Biochemistry experience

•      Experience of stock and consumable handling

Skills:

•      Able to work in a flexible manner and meet the demands of the service

•      To undertake a variety of non-automated operations requiring a high level of skill and manual dexterity on a daily basis. 

•      To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received, liaising with senior staff when appropriate.

•      To handle hazardous chemicals and reagents appropriately, according to COSHH regulations.

•      To occasionally move and manipulate heavy objects whilst following appropriate manual handling guidelines.

•      Good degree of organisation, communication and IT skills.

Main tasks:

•      To work under supervision as an associate practitioner. 

•      To perform required bench work under supervision ensuring samples are processed and results produced in an accurate and timely manner.

•      To carry out all work to specified standards as lay down by the professional bodies including Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS).

•      To ensure data integrity when entering patient demographics onto the Meditech computer system.

•      Respond to queries in a confident, efficient and knowledgeable manner, referring to senior staff when necessary.

•      To ensure proper and efficient use of equipment and consumables without wastage.

•      To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of proper records and specimens both physically and electronically. 

•      To participate in the routine work of the department as directed by senior staff and following departmental Standard Operating Procedures.

•      To contribute and participate in departmental meeting including taking minutes.

Management:

•      To monitor levels of reagents and consumable items informing a senior member of staff when stocks are running low.

•      To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety policies, including reporting of all accidents, incidents, hazards and defects as soon as possible.

•      To ensure all equipment and facilities provided by the department are used in a proper and safe manner.

•      To carry out appropriate maintenance and quality control procedures including departmental audits and temperature logs.

Training:

•      To complete a work based training programme and complete competency log for all procedures performed.

•      To undergo statuary and mandatory training in line with Trust Policy.

•      To participate in annual performance review including the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP).

•      To participate in the induction and orientation of staff, students and visitors.

Departmental specific duties:

•      To perform diagnostic tests that may require clinical intervention.

•      To highlight urgent and clinically important results.

•      To participate in near patient testing including sweat testing conducted by the department, providing technical evaluation and test results to clinicians and other health care professionals at point of care. This may include dealing with distressed patients and parents with tact and empathy.

•      To operate and maintain expensive and sophisticated equipment and software systems on a daily basis including multitasking when operating several analysers simultaneously.

•  undertake a wide variety of non-automated, complex operations requiring a high level of skill, knowledge and manual dexterity on a daily basis. These operations may be of a specialised nature due to the quality and size of paediatric specimens.

• •      To regularly review IQC procedures highlighting outlying results and correcting potential problems.

  •      To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received, liaising with medical staff as appropriate.

  To undertake the reception, processing, referral and storage of a variety of biological specimens on a daily basis, that may contain high risk microorganisms.