Medical Laboratory Assistant job at London Full Time NEW

The post is primarily based within specimen reception and will support the day-to-day running of the department, including sample receipt, preparation, data entry and other general laboratory support duties. The successful candidate will also support Biomedical Scientist staff within the Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry laboratories as required.

This role would suit someone who is organised, able to work accurately in a busy environment and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider team. Previous laboratory or healthcare experience is preferable, although full training will be provided for the right candidate.

Shifts are worked between 09:00 and 18:30 on a rota basis (for example 09:00–17:00 or 10:30–18:30), and the post holder will also be required to participate in weekend working approximately once per month.

The position offers the opportunity to gain experience within an NHS pathology service and work alongside a multidisciplinary team supporting diagnostic services for patients across a specialist hospital setting.

Purpose of the Job

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

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These may include, but are not limited to:

• 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

Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality.

This role is within Synnovis Analytics, which is responsible for the provision of pathology testing services to Synnovis’ patients and customers.

Our hospitals – Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Part of GSTT, stretching from southeast and central London to outer northwest London – have been responsible for some of the most significant medical breakthroughs ever made in our specialist fields. The hospital is one of the most advanced centres for heart and lung care anywhere in the world today. It has jointly pioneered work in the development of ‘artificial hearts’ (also known as left ventricular assist devices or LVADs).

We carry out over 40% of all cardiac surgery in London, and nationally a third of all tests for inherited lung conditions and a quarter of all tests for inherited heart conditions

At our dedicated heart attack centre, we deal with heart attack emergencies from outer north-west London, providing primary angioplasty in our specialist catheter laboratories. We believe our arrival-to-treatment time of 27 minutes is one of the fastest in Europe. Speed of treatment has been shown to be crucial to survival in these cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning activities in the laboratory and prepare laboratory equipment for use.
• Perform daily checks on laboratory areas as directed and complete all required paperwork.
• 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.

And:
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

The Royal Brompton Hospital

Royal Brompton Hospital has a formidable international reputation for its treatment of lung and heart disease, built over more than 175 years.

It has ranked in the top ten ‘World’s Best Specialized Hospitals’ ever since Newsweek created the list in 2021. It is home to Europe’s largest centre for the treatment and management of cystic fibrosis, and also sees patients suffering from asthma and chronic lung conditions.