Medical Laboratory Assistant

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At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Organisational and Administrative

• To work under the supervision of Histopathology sub-specialist leads in the day-to-day running of the department
• To give and seek scientific and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision
• To attend departmental meetings as required
• To maintain monthly stock levels of operational areas and to participate in the annual stock take and to assist with the ordering of supplies and reagents
• To maintain laboratory databases including environmental readings and operational performance management system (OPMS)
• Update standard operation procedures where applicable under the direction of the senior Biomedical Scientist

Diagnostic

• To assist in the assessment of the relevance and importance of diagnostic test requests, work in progress and test results.
• To assist in the assessment of the clinical importance and urgency of test requests and results which impact on patient care
• To use interpretive and technical skills to assist in determining the pathogenic and clinical significance of results of assessments laboratory tests, for example, by aiding the evaluation of trichogram assessments
• Assisting with histological specimen cut up procedures and assisting in all aspects of diagnostic specimen cut up
• Maintaining processing and staining machine monitoring
• Cutting and staining tissue samples for diagnostic interpretation and reporting by pathologists
• Assisting with a wide range of tinctorial and immunocytochemical demonstration techniques
• To participate in clinical audits, trials and research projects in collaboration with laboratory management.

Line Management

• To participate as an appraisee in the laboratory Appraisal scheme.
• To participate in the day-to-day supervision and training of new MLA staff

Scientific and Technical

• To work as part of a team producing technical histopathology work within the department under supervision. This will include assisting in all aspects of clerical data entry, specimen cut-up, slide and block filing
• To ensure that test procedures are carried out according to SOPs and participate in their regular review and update.
• To assist in the planning and organisation of work flow and work in any sections of the routine histopathology laboratory including immunocytochemistry and Mohs laboratory as directed, and be conversant with and skilled at any required diagnostic test procedures and duties performed within it.
• To maintain professional competency and dexterity in specialist/physical tasks and maintain delivery of a quality service
• To ensure the safe use of laboratory equipment and monitor laboratory consumable stock levels
• To perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated-laboratory investigations.
• To prepare reagents required for laboratory investigations.
• To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
• To highlight the need for corrective action to AP (band 4) and senior staff when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
• To undertake routine operative maintenance schedules on laboratory instruments.
• To report any instance or event which may result in a service delivery failure?
• To contribute towards a culture of quality in the department and to comply and promote the quality initiatives within the department consistent with maintaining laboratory accreditation.
• To aid in trouble shooting errors and problems and escalate to relevant section leaders

Laboratory Informatics

• To use information systems, specialist ( Epic and Cerner Pathnet) and general software, in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services

Health and Safety

• To assist, in conjunction with the Departmental Safety Officer, in the development and maintenance of the departmental Health & Safety policies, in accordance with good laboratory practice, the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH regulations and recommended national guidelines and procedures (including CPA)
• To ensure all members of staff and visitors are aware of departmental health and safety policies and that they comply with them
• To undertake all tasks that requires repetitive, mental and/or physical effort within the boundaries of health and safety policies
• To monitor frequent exposure to hazardous environmental and chemical substances, and follow safe working practices that limits the daily exposure to biological hazards
• To comply with departmental health and safety regulations

Quality

• To assist all staff in maintaining high scientific and quality standards within the section
• To maintain laboratory equipment as per departmental policies and procedures
• Maintain error log in operational area under the guidance of the Quality Officer

Training and Development

• To be committed to achieving KSF outlines.
• To develop specialist expertise and build on the theoretical and practical specialist knowledge gained and apply this to assist in the development of new staff
• To comply with departmental Training Support policies
• To participate in an annual joint review
• Responsibilities Specific to the Post Holder
• To be responsible for the issue of laboratory coats to staff and maintaining stock
• To assist in maintaining stocks levels of laboratory consumables
• To assist in monitoring the filing location of blocks and slides

General

• If required to work supervised out of hours; competency to demonstrate tasks is necessary in order to meet the criteria.
• To acquire and maintain an up to date knowledge base of Cellular Pathology developments.
• To ensure that the workplace and work benches are kept optimally organised and maintained in accordance with agreed Health and Safety policies.
• To act at all times in a professional and courteous manner to colleagues, fellow healthcare professionals and other users of the service and to maintain good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective teamwork.
• To promote at all times equality of opportunities for staff and patients in accordance with Viapath Analytics and SynLab policies and procedures, to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation or disability, with due regard to the promotion of diversity in the workplace.
• To comply with Trust No Smoking and dress code policy.
• To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
• This job description is not an exhaustive document but reflects the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs after consultation with the post holder.

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.

GSTT

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

easy access to the vibrant South Bank and local amenities