Laboratory Support Assistant Sheffield, England
Job description
The Department of Clinical Chemistry comprises a team of 80 staff who are committed to delivering an efficient, high quality diagnostic service. It is a busy, friendly department. We have an excellent reputation as a specialist laboratory and provide a comprehensive metabolic analytical service along with regional newborn screening and acute biochemistry.
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Laboratory Support Assistant. This role is based in the Metabolic Section and the hours of work are 21.50 per week. Start/ finish times are 08:45 to 14:00 on Monday and Friday, and 08:45 to 12:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, although there is potential to negotiate these.
The Laboratory Support Assistant is critical for the functioning of the laboratory as they are responsible for keeping the glassware used for laboratory testing spotlessly clean, ensuring the laboratory is kept tidy, and opening, labelling, and sorting the packages containing samples sent from referral laboratories both in the UK and abroad.
Sheffield is a lively and cosmopolitan city renowned for its theatres and city-wide events. Situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park it only takes a few minutes to reach the countryside. The city also has good transport links to the rest of the UK.
Opening laboratory post and numbering up samples after carrying out sample identity checks.
Washing laboratory glassware and instruments to a high level of cleanliness.
Preparing laboratory waste for disposal.
Arranging dispatch and collection of laboratory laundry requirements.
Maintaining cleaning schedules for laboratory safety cabinets, centrifuges, fridges, freezers, water baths and incubators.
Refilling reagent bottles in designated laboratory areas from stock bottles.
Preparing designated buffers from specific reagents.
Restocking laboratories with stock disposable items.
General clerical and administrative duties appropriate to the section.
Participating in internal and external quality control procedures and to abide by all codes of practice, safety regulations, protocols and operational policies of the department and the Trust.
Sheffield Children’s is one of three independent, specialist paediatric hospitals in the country, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.
We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision “to create a healthier future for children and young people.”
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children’s health
We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working.
The post holder works to a schedule and is supervised by the metabolic senior staff, but has autonomy in arranging the daily work pattern to complete all tasks in the time allocated.
The work carried out in the Clinical Chemistry laboratories demands a high level of cleanliness of the laboratory environment and this role of the Laboratory Support Assistant (Band 2) is:
a) Receipt processing, storage and retrieval of a range of pathological samples (blood, plasma, CSF, urine.).
b) to be responsible for the general cleanliness of the metabolic laboratory areas and glassware.
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is one of five Trusts involved in the formation of the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) Pathology Network. The aim of the Network is to deliver a Pathology Service that provides all SYB patients and clinicians with equitable access to high-quality, innovative laboratory medicine solutions that will ensure the best clinical outcomes for patients. A collaborative Network will also provide rewarding job and career opportunities for all staff. An Outline Business Case, which described the Target Operating Model for the future Network, has been agreed between Partner Trusts. The proposed Target Operating Model will ultimately lead to the consolidation of services across SYB. As work progresses to establish the Network, staff will be consulted about proposals that may involve them.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: [email protected]
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Children’s being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert [email protected]
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion – leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability – striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect – value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence – delivering a high-quality standard of care
