Job summary
The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) role will be based in the department of Microbiology. We are looking for applicants with clinical laboratory experience to participate in the activities of the department.
The MLA will be expected to receive and collate patient sample when they first arrive in the laboratory. Also to prepare samples received by the laboratory for analysis. The MLA will work with alongside a team of Associate practitioners, BMS and Senior BMS.
The Medical Laboratory Assistant will participate primarily in night and late shifts and Saturday and Sunday work where appropriate.
Main duties of the job
Accurate computer entry of data onto specialized laboratory computer system.
Primary processing of swabs, sputa, faeces, urines and other body fluids.
Loading and unloading of specialist automated detection system e.g. blood culture system, as well as the processing of potentially infectious positive blood cultures.
Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests.
Examination of clinical samples for the purpose of selecting appropriate culture media.
Processing of hazardous category 3 (high Risk) samples, e.g. processing of tissue samples, pleural fluids, sputum and bronchial lavages.
Carrying out staining procedures both manually and with the use of specialist staining machinery for detection of micro- organisms (e.g. Gram Stains).
Usage of anaerobic cabinets.
Refer to job description and person specification
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit theircareers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accurate computer entry of data onto specialized laboratory computer system. Use of QPulse document management system to access SOPs, record NCs and submit quality improvements.
Primary processing of swabs, sputa, faeces, urines and other body fluids utilizing aseptic techniques.
Loading and unloading of specialist automated detection system e.g. BD Bactec blood culture analyser, as well as the processing of potentially infectious positive blood cultures.
Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests.
Specialist bacterial culture media production, requiring accurate weighing of the powders and supplements. Use of autoclaves, pressure cookers and water baths to sterilize and prepare media.
Preparation of potentially hazardous biological fluids requiring accurate balancing for the purpose of centrifugation to achieve correct concentrationfor bacterial culture.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more information
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accurate computer entry of data onto specialized laboratory computer system. Use of QPulse document management system to access SOPs, record NCs and submit quality improvements.
Primary processing of swabs, sputa, faeces, urines and other body fluids utilizing aseptic techniques.
Loading and unloading of specialist automated detection system e.g. BD Bactec blood culture analyser, as well as the processing of potentially infectious positive blood cultures.
Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests.
Specialist bacterial culture media production, requiring accurate weighing of the powders and supplements. Use of autoclaves, pressure cookers and water baths to sterilize and prepare media.
Preparation of potentially hazardous biological fluids requiring accurate balancing for the purpose of centrifugation to achieve correct concentrationfor bacterial culture.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more information
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and communication skills
- A high degree of manual dexterity
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Basic IT skills
Other
Essential
- Ability to work individually/as part of a team
- Ability to work unsupervised following set procedures and protocols meticulously
- A flexible approach to working hours and duties
Desirable
- Ability to contribute in the training of new and less experienced staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of patient confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of health and safety requirements
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Experience
Desirable
- General laboratory experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent
- NVQ3 in Health Sciences or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Successful completion of MLA competency training programme.
- Basic science qualifications at GCSE level
- European Computer Driving Licence. (ECDL) or equivalent
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and communication skills
- A high degree of manual dexterity
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Basic IT skills
Other
Essential
- Ability to work individually/as part of a team
- Ability to work unsupervised following set procedures and protocols meticulously
- A flexible approach to working hours and duties
Desirable
- Ability to contribute in the training of new and less experienced staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate understanding of patient confidentiality
Desirable
- Awareness of health and safety requirements
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Experience
Desirable
- General laboratory experience
- Experience of working in a health care environment
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent
- NVQ3 in Health Sciences or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Successful completion of MLA competency training programme.
- Basic science qualifications at GCSE level
- European Computer Driving Licence. (ECDL) or equivalent
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
