Job Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our team of Biomedical Science Assistants (BMA) within the Infection Sciences Laboratories. Starting at CS5 on appointment, progressing to CS6 once fully trained and after completion on the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 for support staff. This post is part time at 18.5 hours per week in the afternoon,  13.18 to 17.00, with some weekend and Bank Holiday work at additional payment. (Approx. 10 Saturdays and 2 Bank Holidays a year)

Applicants should ideally previous experience of working in a clinical laboratory and have an interest in science. As a member of the Infection Sciences team you will be working across Microbiology, Virology, Andrology and Wash up which process hundreds of samples a day. Biomedical Science Assistants support the scientific staff working in those areas. Main duties include the sorting and processing of specimens, data entry, packaging of specimens for off island referral, basic operation of scientific equipment, housekeeping and administration.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate attention to detail, a mature conscientious attitude and possess good communication and IT skills.

Applicants must be educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths, English and a science subject.

For further information please contact Victoria Atherton MBE, Infection and Molecular Sciences Manager on 01534 444088 / v.atherton@heath.gov.je or Sharron Le Grange, BMA Team Leader on 01534 442603

Job Purpose

Assist biomedical scientists by conducting a range of routine laboratory activities, to process clinical samples, to help guide the diagnosis and management of disease, improving the health and wellbeing of islanders. 

Statutory Responsibilities

Active engagement, participation and compliance with any other statutory responsibilities applicable to the role, as amended from time to time.

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

• Perform a range of laboratory support and reception tasks, especially specimen handling and processing, taking initiative and ownership from beginning to end of each task, to help guide and contribute to clinical diagnoses, treatments and the evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

• Receives and unpacks samples and enters details of requests for investigations onto the laboratory computer, using knowledge of test repertoire, specimen requirements and clinical details to select the correct investigations, with limited supervision, ensuring that patients’ specimens are investigated in a timely, accurate and appropriate way.

• Accurately enter and continuously check data on hundreds of patients each day, manually and electronically, using various IT platforms and filing systems, following up and aiming to resolve discrepancies, accurately maintaining a smooth flow of work through the laboratory.

• Provides a professional, knowledgeable, informative and courteous service to the general public, and internal and external service users, for some roles this includes a substantial amount of time staffing the front desk, for all roles it involves handling front-line telephone enquiries, to make sure that people have a positive experience of using laboratory services.

• Prioritise work and be prepared to be flexible, using knowledge and experience of laboratory tasks, for example, labelling tubes, slides, petri dishes or cassettes, pipette or transfer samples, make accurate observations and measurements, operate equipment and auto-analysers, monitor stock levels and manage supplies, cleaning, maintenance, filing and administrative tasks, respond to ad hoc requests, to meet urgent clinical need and agreed laboratory turnaround times.

Job Specific Outcomes 2 of 2

• Network with other professionals, including other hospital teams and particularly with off-island referral laboratories, organise and pack referrals, chase results by telephone and email, input data, manage people’s expectations of the service, and give out laboratory results to clinicians.

• Train less experienced employees if required, and take responsibility for own development, within a culture of career-long learning.

• Participate in the review of documents, management of nonconformity, audit and other quality management tasks, using dedicated software, to facilitate and demonstrate commitment to continual improvement.

• Use universal precautions and learn to assess and minimise risk, keep the workplace clean and tidy, clean spills of hazardous samples or chemicals, manage and dispose of laboratory waste and laundry, to ensure a safe working laboratory environment for employees and visitors.

Person specification

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

Relevant qualifications at academic level 2 (e.g. science, maths and English at GCSE grade 4 (C) or above)

DESIRABLE

Relevant qualifications at academic level 3 (e.g. science A-levels or NVQ level 3)

Knowledge

ESSENTIAL

Basic knowledge of laboratory science

DESIRABLE

Knowledge of a range of routine medical laboratory procedures

Technical Work Based Skills

ESSENTIAL

Basic laboratory skills 

 Able to work with accuracy and precision in conformance with standard operating procedures

 Able to operate laboratory equipment

DESIRABLE

Able to conduct diagnostic laboratory investigations to reproducible standards

 Able to demonstrate proficiency in practical laboratory skills

General skills / attributes

ESSENTIAL

Able to prioritise and multitask

 Able to use appropriate information and communication technologies including laboratory information management systems

 Good verbal and written skills

Ability to work to deadlines

Ability to work under own initiative

DESIRABLE

Able to undertake audit, document review and other quality management tasks

Experience

ESSENTIAL

Some basic laboratory experience

DESIRABLE

Experience of working in a medical laboratory