Medical Laboratory Assistant in London

Are you interested in working in the field of newborn screening? Would you like to become part of a team screening over 55,000 newborn babies per year for inherited and congenital diseases? Do you want to make a difference to babies and their families? A post is available for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Newborn Screening Department of Reference Chemistry, Synnovis. You will be joining a team of 15 staff working together to provide the Newborn Screening service. You will also work along with over 70 scientists and support staff in the new hub building at Blackfriars, 5 mins walk from Southwark and Blackfriars station.

The successful candidate will be a key member of the South East Thames Regional Newborn Screening Laboratory based at the Blackfriars Hub. Providing results for over 55,000 babies a year, the team works closely with Biomedical Scientists and Clinical Scientists and is part of a network of 18 laboratories across the UK and Ireland providing this vital service.

The post is full time, Fixed Term until 31st March 2027, with 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday working. If this suits you and you are interested in starting your career or moving into this field then please read on.

Main duties of the job

Our laboratory provides screening for newborn babies using various technologies for the following conditions: congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, maple syrup urine disease, homocystinuria, glutaric aciduria type 1, isovaleric acidaemia, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disorders, Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1, Severe combined immunodeficiency. Techniques include PCR, HPLC MS/MS, immunoassay and enzymatic techniques. Use of pipettes, centrifuges, plate shakers, and analytical equipment will be part of the role.

Other responsibilities will be to receive, book, sort and archive specimens, maintain and operate analytical equipment, prepare reagents and patient batches. The post-holder will be expected to work in accordance with laboratory quality and health and safety policies and standard operating procedures.

The successful candidate will work closely with Clinical and Biomedical Scientists and must be able to reliably and efficiently communicate with all grades of staff within and external to the department, as well as other external centres, being the point to call for external queries and referrals via telephone and email. Attention to detail and good communication skills are a must in this role. You will be expected to work under pressure both as part of a team and independently, maintaining accuracy. You will be accountable to the senior BMS of the section and ultimately the deputy and director of the newborn screening service.

Working for our organisation

Our department works to the guidance and Newborn blood spot screening standards and pathways laid out by NHS England and the national screening committee. The national screening committee is an evidence-based programme which means tests offered are continuously evolving over time, making this department particularly dynamic.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding/support for advanced qualifications. Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role supports the delivery of biomedical investigations as part of the laboratory and/or Central Specimen Reception team in Synnovis. Reporting to the Senior Specialist BMS or designated role in Central Specimen Reception, you will hold a variety of responsibilities to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

What you will do

• Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
• Perform tasks and operate laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
• Prepare solutions, reagents etc., utilising a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
• Ensure all laboratory consumables and equipment are maintained in line with SOPs and health and safety guidelines.
• Complete data entry that is accurate, reliable, delivered on time and in accordance with Information Governance (IG) procedures.
• Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork.
• Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.
• Perform environmental monitoring and waste management activities in a safe way, as required.
• Support and train colleagues in your area as required.
• Support with specimen reception and referrals processing, as required.
• Use departmental resources efficiently and apply good stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery. Receipt and unpack new deliveries and advise/order when approaching minimum stock levels.
• Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff.
• Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.
• Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to accurately record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following IG guidelines.
• Organise day-to-day tasks, identifying and prioritising urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible. Escalate to senior member of staff, as necessary.
• Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols.
• Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times.
• Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or other departments.
• Adhere to the laboratory SOPs and work with the team to review working practice to maintain a high quality and safe service.
• Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests on to the LIMS.
• Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals.
• Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision.
• Undertake preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
• Process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required.
• File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required.
• Prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
• Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by line manager. Undertake periodic laboratory training and competence assessment.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good all round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship.

Desirable criteria

• BTEC or A LEVELS in science.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Working as part of a team.
• Working in a busy environment.
• Experience of working with computer applications such as Microsoft Office/Google docs, data entry.
• Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a pathology laboratory environment.
• Handling of biological specimens.
• Customer service.
• OMNI experience.
• LIMS experience.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent at problem solving and prioritising.
• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Ability to operate the use of precision instrument and equipment.
• Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock specimens etc.
• Willingness and ability to learn complex operating procedures and follow guidelines.

Desirable criteria

• Awareness of the role of medical laboratories.
• Awareness of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location. For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package. All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ground breaking development opportunities.

All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.