Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
You
will develop your competencies and further your knowledge in all aspects of the
speciality through practical experience, in house training and structured
study, and subject to the requirements of continuous professional development
(CPD). To work towards attaining registered status as a Biomedical Scientist
with the HCPC
To
perform, under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and
tasks that are consistent with the job holders levels of knowledge, skills and
experience
To
develop competence in all sections of the department and to perform tasks
accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures
To
enter, manage and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer
system.
To
communicate accurately sensitive and complex information to users of the
service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures
To
demonstrate relevant job-related tasks to new staff
To
actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme
To
participate in laboratory audit processes and support appropriate clinical
trials involving the laboratory
To
contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in
the ordering, receipt and control of consumables
Clinical/
Scientific/ Technical
Carry
out appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent
with the post levels of knowledge, skills and experience. These tasks may vary
from day to day, but examples would include:
Carry
out analysis of patient samples, or data
Maintaining
appropriate records and documentation
Plate
reading and reporting
Basic
tissue & disease recognition
Specialist
reagent set up
Dealing
with authorised telephone results enquiries
Participate
in the departments rosters as required
Work
flexibly and undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as agreed with
line manager
This
job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small
tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or
when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve
the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and
accuracy.
Communication
of complex, technical information to users of the service.
Use
of LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information.
Participate
and ensure the operation and routine maintenance of equipment.
The
post holder will be expected to second line trouble shoot in response to
operational issues
Leadership/
Management
Support
and inspire staff to provide efficient, effective, safe, quality care to
patients
Provide
day to day supervision and co-ordination of more junior staff.
Responsible
for professional/clinical supervision of qualified staff or students.
Help
to ensure the effective deployment of staff is mapped against the flow of work
to provide safe and effective service delivery.
Promote
the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams.
Ensure
compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements including patient
confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
Anticipate
problems and take preventative or mitigating actions, or have contingency plans
available.
Supports
effective and efficient management of section, including optimisation of
workflow.
Supports
waste reduction incentives for designated area.
Supports
collaborative team working across all sections.
Quality/
Training
Support
and participate in level 1 incident investigations.
Assist
with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating
Procedures.
Maintain
standards of laboratory policies and procedures to ensure that the department
meets National External Quality Assurance (EQA) and regulatory/accreditation
body standards.
Undertake
quality control procedures, examine quality control results to identify poor
performance and instigate appropriate action.
Support
and participate with the production, maintenance and implementation of risk
assessments.
Participate
in audits and clinical governance.
Assist
the department with the continuous improvement of the Quality Management
System.
Keep
up to date with and communicate service developments, advances and research.
Participate
in and contribute to own Personal Development Review.
Ensure
that safe working practices are followed in accordance with departmental Safety
Policy. Be aware of and adhere to Trusts policies, including those relating to
discipline, grievance, sickness, absence and health & safety.
Promote
a learning and development culture to the improve staff skills, knowledge and
competence.
Maintain
a safe working environment.
Other
The
post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable
participation in the delivery of 24-hour Pathology services. This entails
contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.
The
post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if
the service requires it.
This
is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be
subject to change with professional and service developments
As
a healthcare worker dealing with sensitive (patient related) information the
importance and value of personal honesty and integrity as a commitment to
patient service and confidentiality will be recognised.
You
will work towards attaining registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical
Scientist and will demonstrate the HCPC standards of proficiency wherever
possible. In contributing to the quality of a technical clinical service you
will understand the requirement to continuously develop appropriate skills and
accumulate relevant knowledge whether by formal or in- house training.
COMMUNICATION
& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
As
the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a
diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:
Internal
Colleagues,
supervisors and managers within the speciality
Pathology
staff working in other specialities
Members
of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners
Administrative
and secretarial staff
Estates
and facilities staff
External
Staff
in primary care facilities
Staff
in other hospitals
Staff
in non NHS organisations (for example suppliers of consumables)
Patients
SPECIAL
WORKING CONDITIONS
As
the job holder you will be required to work in a clinical laboratory
environment. As such you will work under controlled conditions where chemical
and biohazardous materials are handled. For your own protection you will be
required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this you
will receive training. Frequent periods of light and occasional periods of
moderate physical activity related to stores management may be expected. The
service is delivered from a number of different sites and you may be required,
subject to consultation, to travel between sites.
i)PHYSICAL
EFFORT:
This
job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small
tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or
when preparing microscope slides for examination. In order to achieve the
required turn around times, for instance when working as a team member in an
acute laboratory area, rapid results are required. This work is unpredictable
and will require the job holder to plan, prioritise and analyse these samples,
working with both speed and accuracy.
Many
tasks are repetitive and may involve the job holder standing at equipment or
sitting at the laboratory bench for extended periods.
Regular
requirement to sit at PC and regular requirement for post holder to be mobile
for collection & delivery of samples.
This
job requires the holder to participate in stock control, including the movement
of goods from the point of delivery to the point of storage. This will require
movement of light and moderate loads up to 15kg . There is the occasional
requirement to move loads of 20kg with the aid of a trolley.
It
is anticipated there will be the occasional requirement to exert moderate
physical effort for several short periods in a shift.
ii)MENTAL
EFFORT:
The
day to day repertoire of this job is diverse and the job holder can expect to
be asked by supervisory staff to change tasks at short notice. In order to
minimise errors concentration is required on a daily basis when processing
specimens. It is expected there will be the occasional requirement for
prolonged concentration.
The
job holder is expected to operate complex laboratory equipment. This task requires
concentration so that personal safety is maintained, and equipment is not
damaged.
There
is no requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle
iii)EMOTIONAL
EFFORT:
In
normal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder and exposure
to emotional circumstances is limited.
However, subject to the requirements of the speciality some patient
contact may occur such as in the collection of capillary blood samples from
children. It is anticipated that the postholder will only have occasional
exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.
iv)
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The
post holder will work generally in a laboratory environment and may be required
to sit or stand at the bench for prolonged periods. It is expected that the role
will involve light to moderate physical effort. The post holder will be exposed
to potentially infectious pathological samples on a daily basis with occasional
exposure to other risks e.g. chemical encountered in the laboratory.
Exposure
to physical aggressive behaviour is rare. Occasional exposure to verbal
aggression occurs during telephone communication with service users
OTHER
This
job description is not exhaustive and may change as the post or the needs of
the service develop.
