Medical Laboratory Assistant - Blood Sciences

Overview

To perform laboratory reception duties including: checking sample quality, ensuring that appropriate samples are received for the tests requested, assigning laboratory numbers to samples and entering requests into the laboratory computer system. In addition the post includes answering telephone and personal enquiries, filing, sending out printed reports and issuing stocks to service users, obtaining blood from patients, daily maintenance tasks, some laboratory testing and attending clinics across Wye Valley NHS Trust. The post holder will need to be available to support the 24/7 service as required.

Responsibilities

• Receiving, sorting, numbering and pre-analytical preparation of potentially infectious clinical specimens.
• Ensuring that the correct samples are received and the correct test codes are accurately assigned.
• To answer and make enquiries to/from wards, departments and GP surgeries. Communicate effectively and professionally with other laboratory staff, hospital staff and other service users.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times. This will involve dealing with confidential and sensitive patient information.
• To perform receptionist duties dealing with patients, visitors and other hospital staff.
• To perform simple analytical processes under the supervision of qualified staff, including near patient testing.
• Participate in the effective running of the department, including performing tasks required by the line manager and appropriate to grade, ensuring that the quality of work performed is of the highest standard and that work is performed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all tasks are performed in accordance with current policies, all relevant regulatory requirements and with due regard to underpinning scientific principles. To ensure that laboratory quality procedures are followed.
• To assist in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products.

About the Trust

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye. We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we want for our family and friends. More than 3,500 people work for the Trust; we offer a great place to work blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural county like Herefordshire. We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Values

Our values – Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence – are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time all the time.