Job Description Medical laboratory Assistant

Transcription

1 1. JOB IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Medical Laboratory Assistant Responsible to: Blood Sciences Manager Department & Base: Blood Sciences Department, Area Laboratory, BGH Date this JD written/updated: Job Holder Reference number: MLA JOB PURPOSE To provide support and assistance to qualified, State Registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS s) by preparing and processing clinical specimens, and disposing of clinical waste in a safe manner. 3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Diagnostics Manager Laboratory Consultants Blood Sciences Department Manager Section Manager Specialist Biomedical Scientist Medical Laboratory Assistant (This Post)

2 4. SCOPE AND RANGE The department operates from Borders General Hospital and provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic laboratory tests to a population of 116,000 in the Scottish Borders area. The user base consists of 1 Acute Hospital, 6 Community Hospitals, 23 Borders GP practices, Mental Health/Learning Disability services as well as a few GP practices from neighbouring Health Boards. The Blood Sciences Department is professionally directed by Laboratory Consultants who ensure that a clinically relevant and clinically interpretive service is delivered. The department comprises a number of sections including sample preparation, automated testing and manual/special testing in Haematology, Clinical Chemistry and Blood Transfusion. The department processes in excess of 350k requests generating approximately 3.5 million test results annually, covering routine, emergency and more specialised/complex diagnostic tests. Blood Transfusion processes samples annually, generating test results and issuing around units of blood or blood products. The laboratory provides a 24hour 7day service in blood sciences. The department is CPA (UK) Ltd accredited and recognised for training of Biomedical Scientists by the Health & Care Professions Council The Blood Transfusion service is compliant with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations as inspected by MHRA. OUR VALUES IN ACTION Care and Compassion Quality and Teamwork Dignity and Respect Openness, honesty and responsibility 5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Sorting, labelling and racking patient and external quality control samples in order to provide clinical results which impact on patient care. Rejecting unsuitable samples, according to local policy, preparing samples for analysis including centrifuging, aliquotting, loading and unloading analysers and filing, archiving and retrieval of patient samples as required. This involves handling infectious material/body fluids, including high-risk pathogens e.g. HIV, TB and Hepatitis, in accordance with Health and Safety Guidelines. 2. Data entry of patient demographics and request details. This involves dealing with clinical information of a sensitive and confidential nature. Filing, archiving and retrieval of request forms. Data entry of external quality control results via multiple websites.

3 3. Dispatch of samples to referral sites using send-away specimen management module in laboratory computer system. This includes logging and postal preparation of all samples to be sent to multiple external sites. Despatch paper patient results and distribute mail within the department. 4. Perform maintenance procedures on instrumentation within the laboratory and appropriate POCT sites as directed by Biomedical Scientists 5. Perform simple, kit based testing of patient samples 6. Assisting Consultant Haematologist at bedside bone marrow and trephine procedures. Preparation of blood and bone marrow slides, including staining and coverslipping 7. Assist in Laboratory audits 8 Ensuring adequate supplies of laboratory consumables throughout the department and that reagents and consumables are prepared and stored appropriately. Unpacking deliveries, logging all reagents, calibrators and blood products, storing supplies in appropriate conditions, carrying out stock control and inventory checks and when required highlighting shortages to BMS s. Checking and ordering general laboratory items from hospital stores for all three laboratory departments. 9 Performing a variety of general laboratory duties to ensure the smooth running of the department. This includes keeping the laboratory clean and tidy, defrosting fridges and freezers, ensuring adequate supplies of labels, photocopying/scanning worksheets, and preparation and distribution of test kits to Health Centres and departments within the hospital so that clinical staff can take samples requiring specialised supplies 10. To comply with good working practices, current Health and Safety legislation and adherence to SOP s (Standard Operating Procedures) in order to maintain a safe and effective working environment. To perform Hazard Spotting and to contribute to the development of SOPs, meeting Clinical Pathology Accreditation requirements. To report all incidents/accidents to appropriate Line Manager and complete relevant documentation. 11. Answering telephone enquiries and telephoning results under supervision of qualified staff. 12. Checking accuracy and precision of laboratory pippetting equipment and checking and recording adequate temperature levels in fridges/freezers used for storing samples, consumables and blood products. 13. Assisting and supporting BMS s in the training of new MLA s. 14. To provide technical support to the Laboratory Consultants in the provision of a Blood Sciences Service. 15. To participate in the continuous shift pattern, assisting the BMS to optimise turn around for urgent requests following laboratory procedures and protocols

4 6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT The post holder is required to assist Biomedical Scientists in the operation of the following complex, high value (value up to 100,000 each) instrumentation on a daily basis. 2 Major clinical chemistry analysers analysing in excess of 3000 tests per day 2 Immunoassay analysers 2 Haematology analysers 2 coagulation analysers Blood Transfusion Gelstation 2 Arterial blood gas analysers, including a multi-analyser software management system High Performance Liquid Chromatography system The post holder identifies and highlights any problems to Section or Department Manager. Daily use of assorted general laboratory equipment value up to 10k including, ESR equipment, centrifuges, pipettes, balances, fridges, freezers Daily use of Laboratory Information System (Clinisys Labcentre) for data entry of patient demographics and request details, recording test results and checking of entered information to ensure accuracy. All test reports are produced using this system. Use of TrakCare Patient Administration System. Use of PECOS electronic ordering system to receive goods for the Department. Use of ipassport Document Management Software Package Use of PC and Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook , Internet, Word, Excel. Use of general office equipment including fax, photocopier, laser and inkjet printers. 7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS Working without direct supervision, using own initiative and exercising own judgement when prioritising and organising workload. Follows Standard Operating Procedures, local policies & procedures including Health & Safety policies. Solves day to day problems e.g. shortage of reagents and supplies, mislabelled specimens, specimens in incorrect containers, leaking specimens in accordance with local SOP. Refers any problems which cannot be dealt with to BMS s. Provides advice and guidance to new MLA s. Reviews SOPs, proposes changes to working practice and procedures. Demonstrates a high degree of discretion with regard to sensitive and confidential patient information, some of which may be required for medico-legal purposes.

5 8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Liases closely with Biomedical Scientists and Laboratory Consultants to discuss the day to day running of the laboratory. Highlights and communicates problems to BMS staff and Laboratory Consultants Deals with telephone enquiries from medical and other clinical staff including receiving requests and giving results. Liaises with other departmental MLA and clerical staff to discuss patient specimens, patient request forms, disposal of waste, stock levels and supply of consumables. Patient contact whilst assisting with bone marrow procedures. This can involve contact with distressed patients. Occasional direct patient contact by telephone to advise them of how to correctly obtain the results of their laboratory investigations Participates in departmental meetings in order to discuss and contribute to service developments, address concerns or problems and discuss operational matters. It is a requirement of this post that staff participate in joint annual review. This will be conducted in accordance with NHS Borders policy Appraisal, PDP and Review and includes assessment against the appropriate Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) Post Outline jointly agreed for each staff member. 9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Precision and accuracy of repetitive work required with high levels of prolonged and intense concentration Daily specimen labelling and handling requires good co-ordination and some dexterity over prolonged periods. A high degree of accuracy is required when checking patient details on specimens and request forms. Daily handling of uncontained body fluids subject to health & safety requirements. Unpacking and sorting samples (arriving in the lab in batches of up to 200 at a time) the post holder is regularly in direct contact with inadequately packaged and/or leaking which have to be dealt with. Daily use of machinery with complex moving parts, use of potentially hazardous chemicals and substances and analysis of potentially hazardous pathogenic samples. This involves handling infectious material/body fluids, including high-risk pathogens e.g. HIV, TB and Hepatitis, in accordance with Health and Safety Guidelines. Daily periods of up to 2-3 hours where light physical effort is required to transport and process analytical specimens and move reagent boxes. These periods are almost always for over 20 minutes. Weekly lifting of boxes of moderate weight and infrequent manoeuvring of heavy equipment may be required in accordance with Manual Handling Regulations

6 Daily keyboard use for prolonged periods in order to enter clinical information and operate automated analysers, a high level of accuracy is required. Keyboard skills are also required for use of PCs and Microsoft Office suite. There is a degree of background noise within the working environment 10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB Balancing competing demands processing specimens, dealing with reagent deliveries, stocking consumables, disposing of waste and other daily duties, particularly when members of the team are on leave. Requirement for extended periods of concentration while maintaining absolute accuracy when inputting patient data. Working with unpleasant samples 11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB Good basic education to standard grade with evidence of interest in science. The postholder should possess NVQ Level 3 or equivalent Formal in-house training programme will take place over several months to enable the postholder to learn the full range of skills required to competently & accurately perform all of the duties of the job to the high standards required in laboratories. Following extensive in-house training, the post holder will understand & be familiar with over 80 SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), Risk Assessments & COSHH Assessments. The MLA training manual describes approximately 100 different tasks which the post holder must learn how to perform. In order to learn & carry out these duties it is important that the MLA develops some theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the scientific basis of the duties i.e. why they are being done, what the likely results might be, how these will impact on patient care. This includes learning medical & scientific terminology. Many of these tasks are complex & skilled Once trained the postholder is expected to undertake fault finding and problem solving. This involves using knowledge of the tasks & expected results in order to identify any problems or potential problems, investigate what might have caused the problem and where possible resolve the problem. While the MLA can seek advice if necessary it is expected that they will be able to resolve most problems themselves. Knowledge of local policies and procedures gained through in-house vocational training. Good keyboard/it skills essential.

7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Grade and salary: Band 3: 17,760-20,727 per annum pro rata Permanent Hours of work: Post 1: 20 hours per week (Mon-Fri, 13:00-17:00) Post 2: 15 hours per week (Mon-Fri, 14:00-17:00) Annual leave: Public Holidays: Superannuation: 27 days per annum pro rata Details of other types of leave entitlement (such as sick leave) are set out in the Agenda for Change handbooks. 8 days per annum pro rata on dates designated by NHS Borders Details of other types of leave entitlement (such as sick leave) are set out in the Agenda for Change handbook. The post-holder is entitled to join the NHS superannuation pension scheme. If Unsuccessful: If you have NOT heard from us within 4 WEEKS of the closing date, then we regret that your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we appreciate your interest in working with NHS Borders and your time and effort in completing the application form. We would welcome your application for future posts. Equal Opportunities: In NHS Borders, we believe that all staff should be treated equally in employment. We will not discriminate against any member of staff, or job applicant, on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. Trade Union membership. Disclosure checks: We carry out criminal record checks on new staff who fall within certain staff groups within NHS Borders, through Disclosure Scotland. We send out Disclosure Forms to all shortlisted candidates for these staff groups, and ask for these to be completed and returned at interview. If a successful-atinterview candidate forgets to bring their completed form to interview, then they will be required to return the form (and proofs of identity) within 7 days, otherwise the provisional job offer will be withdrawn. Unsuccessful candidates forms will be shredded. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to this post.

8 Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland: Your performance must comply with the Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland and with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers (in line with CEL 23 (2010)), both subject to amendment from time to time, which are attached. If, despite ongoing support, you fail to adhere to the Standards or to comply with the code, your performance will be managed in line with the NHS Borders Management of Employee Capability Policy and could result in the termination of your employment with NHS Borders. Tobacco policy: We have a Tobacco policy in place. When selecting staff, we do not discriminate against applicants who smoke, but staff must observe our policy on smoking. Hepatitis B: We offer Hepatitis B immunisation through our Occupational Health Service (OHS). If you think you may be at risk of contracting Hepatitis B through your job, you should ask for this immunisation at OHS. If your work involves exposure-prone procedures, you must keep to the document Protecting Health Care Workers and Patients from Hepatitis B, and the NHSiS Management Executive Directive on this issue. You must be immune to Hepatitis B, and if you cannot prove that you are immune, OHS will investigate to find out whether you are Hepatitis B positive or not. Health and Safety at Work: You must look after the health and safety of yourself and anyone else who may be affected by what you do at work. You must also co-operate with us to make sure that we keep to legal and organisational safety regulations. You can get more information from the NHS Borders Health & Safety Adviser. The closing date for completed application forms is: 5pm on Thursday 4 May 2017