Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Estates
To help provide a safe, clean, and well-maintained department in co-operation with other laboratory staff, enabling the department to provide a high quality and efficient diagnostic service to patients and medical staff.
To work as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and Support Staff to deliver, within budget, a patient-orientated medical laboratory service to contribute to efficient and effective care.
Responsibilities will include:
- Maintain a safe and clean working environment, dispose of waste, monitor basic laboratory equipment, and prepare reagents
- Undertake all pre-analytical preparation of clinical specimens according to departmental policies and procedures as appropriate to banding
- Undertake defined routine equipment maintenance procedures as scheduled. Undertake pre-analytical sample quality checks
- Undertake post-analytic storage or disposal of clinical specimens
- To ensure adequate supplies of in-use materials / reagents
- Undertake the retrieval of stored specimens for additional work or for multi-disciplinary team meetings
Administrative:
- Enter patient and test information onto the laboratory information system in an accurate and timely manner
- Be able to perform accurate data entry duties using the Pathology IT system
- To ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) and UKAS ISO:15189
- To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and another laboratory information
General:
- Resolve day- to-day problems in an efficient manner
- To comply with Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures accurately
- To comply with relevant Trust and departmental policies and procedures e.g. H&S, Essential Skills, Dress Code etc.
- Attend departmental meetings as required and actively participate
- Participate in the departmental rota to maintain skills and be prepared to transfer to another duty at short notice to cover staff absence
- To co-operate with other departmental and hospital staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust
- To participate in an annual appraisal and personal development review
- Any other duties as directed
Desired Qualifications:
- Good general education including GCSEs (or equivalent) English Language & maths, grade c/5 or above
- GCSE (or equivalent) in science is desirable
Desired Skills:
- Evidence of ability to work using own initiative and without supervision
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Demonstration of manual dexterity through previous employment / interests
- Demonstration of good numerical skills through previous employment / interests
- Good manual co-ordination
- Conscientious, methodical approach to duties with an attention to detail
- Experience with electronic handling of data with good keyboard skills
Personal Qualities:
- Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
- A willingness to be flexible and part of a team
- Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm
- Prepared to handle clinical samples
- An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
- Ability to demonstrate a high degree of concentration with attention to detail
- Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas of extreme pressure
- Ability to be a proactive team-player
Training Provided:
- Level 2 Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship standard, which includes:
- Level 1/2 functional skills in maths and English (if required)
- End-Point Assessment (EPA)
- BTEC Diploma level 2 in Health care science
- This will include health and safety and an introduction to the department and its ways of working. You will be enrolled with both HTP who will guide you through your apprenticeship and also have an in-house NHS training consultant.
- Both HTP the NHS will train and develop you to complete the Level 2 in Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeship Programme within the duration of the placement.
- You will also be allocated a mentor who will work alongside you, supporting, shadowing, and contributing to your development to reach your maximum potential.
- Off-the-job training time will be allocated for study time, research and completing your portfolio of work.
Expected Duration:
- 18 months
Working Week:
- Monday – Friday
- 6 hrs per day, to be decided on placement, between 0800 and 1800
- 30 minutes unpaid break for lunch and two 20 minute paid breaks
- Total hours per week: 30 hours per week
Weekly Wage:
- £158.40
Possible Start Date:
Depending on current notice period if already in employment but if no notice needed, then 4-6 weeks after accepting offer of employment