Assistant Technical Officer - Pathology Plymouth, England
Job description
To support the specific technical and clerical duties in a section of the Department, working with the Admin Team, other ATOs and Biomedical Scientists as part of a team, to facilitate the smooth running of the service.
To receive and/or prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples, for analysis whilst following a Standard Operating Procedures.
To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GP’s, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff.
To follow protocols for swift and accurate data entry, resulting and communication of results and to perform general office duties.
The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in all sections of the Microbiology Laboratory, to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective service.
The post holder will support the timely processing of patient samples, serving all those patients attending UHPNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula. Pathology performs 7 million tests annually and employs approximately 280 staff.
To assist in supervising/training less experienced staff.
The post holder may be called upon to work a duty shift up to 20.00 hrs on weekdays, post also includes the requirement to work weekends on rotation and If required to do so, to work a contracted week that may include working a full day on Saturdays and/or Sundays and/or Bank Holidays. The post holder may also be called upon, if required to do so, to participate in 24/7 working.
There are good rail and road transport links, with the Exeter airport situated less than an hour away. Plymouth is a vibrant waterfront city, with a wealth of attractions and activities for everyone to enjoy; a city set amidst some of England's most glorious countryside, where a rich maritime heritage meets the bustle of modern commerce. The surrounding area of Dartmoor, South Devon and South East Cornwall offer an extraordinary range of natural attractions some of finest scenery in the world.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer, and is actively working toward a smoke-free environment. The Trust operates a Green Commuter Strategy.
Book test requests swiftly and accurately into the computer system (iLAB). Scanning request forms and clearing errors as they occur.
Respond to telephone enquiries within the area of work from staff in both primary and secondary care, giving test results (subject to departmental telephone SOPs), advice on sample types required for a large range of tests, requests for add-on-tests and those for emergency requests. Clear and concise messages to be taken in the event of unavailability of staff.
To enter a range of test results into the Pathology computer system for authorisation by BMSs.
To collate the printing of results daily, sorting, enveloping and arranging issue in accordance with local SOP.
To report all complaints/anomalies/data entry errors to a senior member of staff for attention and logging.
To prepare samples and complete the necessary documentation for special tests dispatched to other reference laboratories, complying with all the relevant postal and packaging regulations. To log these requests on an Access Database, monitoring receipt of the report and scanning this to iLab. To review long outstanding reports with the Serology Senior BMS, ‘chasing up’ if deemed appropriate.
To receive specimens/request forms in reception following the Specimen Reception SOP and checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form/electronic request.
To bring to the attention of senior BMS all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID/requester information or incorrect sample type for the test requested.
Ensure that samples received match work lists, the patient ID is correct before testing and there is sufficient sample to perform the assay.
To be familiar with DSE regulations and organise workstation and working to reflect the requirements for breaks, etc.
To work with the quality manager to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS ISO15189
To plan and prioritise own work under supervision and be fully aware of service requirements
Participate in the rotas for ATO and support staff
To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
Assist in the general running of specific analysers, equipment or tests.
Perform basic maintenance checks as directed.
Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
Prepare these samples for analysis including attaching bar code labels, centrifugation, separation and prepare aliquots as required.
To assist in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products and the daily cleaning of office/laboratory work surfaces.
To observe all departmental, Trust, national and European Health & Safety regulations relevant to the service, ensuring attendance at the annual departmental H&S update. In addition all staff must sign the departmental H&S policy to acknowledge understanding and compliance.
To continually update their knowledge and skills whilst documenting this in their Continual Professional Development folder.
To ensure contemporaneous completion of your induction and training records.
To follow Standard Operating Procedures at all times and as directed by senior staff and contribute to their formulation. Propose any changes to these SOPs in order to maintain the quality of the service and maximise efficiency.
To attend meetings and training courses as necessary.
To complete Statutory and Essential Update Training annually.
To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory.
To attend departmental briefings and/or acquaint yourself with the team brief posted on the departmental notice boards.
To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
To participate in annual appraisals in accordance with the trusts appraisal policy and achieve any targets set at this time.
To carry out other duties commensurate with the post.
To be aware of and support the goal of providing a quality driven patient centred service, participating in the laboratory’s quality management procedures.
To rectify and or bring to the attention of more senior staff/Laboratory Management any issues compromising this goal.
