We are looking for a suitably-qualified, energetic and enthusiastic candidate to join our friendly team to carry out
sample preparation and data entry tasks. The role will require good keyboard skills and communicating
effectively with all users of the laboratory plus coordinating sample flow throughout the department.
Good communication skills, prioritisation skills and the ability to work in a team are essential.
The Department of Laboratory Medicine is UKAS accredited and incorporates blood transfusion, clinical
biochemistry, coagulation, haematology, immunology and molecular pathology. The majority of the role will be
within clinical biochemistry, haematology and the front of house reception.
The role is full time (37.5 hours per week). You will be required to work flexibly on a 24/7 rota including weekends
and bank holidays.
Main duties:
Receive and process samples using local procedures.
Assist in the maintenance and monitoring of a range of laboratory equipment.
Enter patient data onto the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Liaise by telephone and face-to-face with users of the department.
Assist with the department's data processing procedures including audit and stock control.
Processing clinical samples in preparation for microscopy work carried out by BMS and Clinical staff
Good keyboard skills, literacy and numeracy for data entry and simple analytics
Cheerful and articulate to act as front of house at the main reception for the Pathology department
Able to prioritise, good time management skills and work under pressure to ensure sample flow through
Pathology is maintained
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
As one of the largest acute teaching Trust’s in England, we can offer learning and development opportunities to
help you achieve the career you aspire to. We believe you deserve the best possible surroundings in which to do
your job and we want to support you in doing your job to the best of your ability.
As a Trust, we support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service.
You’ll have an opportunity to discuss this at interview. Our LiveWell and inspire programme offers opportunities,
support and advice, including smoking cessation services, exercise and activity classes, and support for mental
health.
UHS employees are able to access a huge range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid
holiday (pro rata) on appointment, can access on-site nursery facilities (subject to availability), and we offer a
generous pension scheme.
ABOUT OUR TRUST AND SOUTHAMPTON
UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts
for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and
only an hour on the train from central London. The New Forest National Park and the beaches of the Jurassic
coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than those in London, 13 schools
rated outstanding by Ofsted and 13 nearby green spaces to enjoy.
Patients first
Patients and families will be at the heart of what we do and their experience within the hospital, and their
perception of the Trust will be our measure of success.
Working together
Our clinical teams will provide services to patients and are crucial to our success. We have launched a
leadership strategy that ensures our clinical management teams are engaged in the day-to-day management and
governance of the Trust.
Always Improving
Our reputation is research and development and our approach to education and training will continue to
incorporate new ideas, technologies greater efficiencies in the service we provide.
All staff are expected to strive to make the Trust values ‘what we do’ – to inspire, develop
and support every one of us to live our values; every patient, every colleague, every day.
Each post holder is expected to ensure they live the values of: 1. Patients First 2. Always
Improving 3. Working Together These values are about us all helping each other to deliver
great patient experience more consistently – involving people who use our services, their
families, carers, staff and partners in continuing to improve the experience people have using
and delivering our services
Job description:
To process a range of pathological specimens under the supervision of qualified scientists
for screening, diagnostic and monitoring purposes and provide accurate, timely and
appropriate analytical data. To work across a number of Pathology disciplines as required.
Main duties
Work & Supervise
1. To supervise trainee Biomedical Support Workers and demonstrate own area of work.
2. To plan & prioritise own workload making adjustments to plans according to unforeseen
circumstances.
3. To maximise productivity by making the best use of available resources.
4. To receive, store and maintain stocks of laboratory reagents and consumables
5. To despatch samples to other laboratories as required
6. To maintain laboratory standards in accordance with current and future accreditation
guidelines.
7. To pack and transport blood and blood products from the blood transfusion laboratory to
clinical areas following current SOPs defining issuing procedures, packaging and
documentation.
8. To periodically visit all the satellite blood banks on the SGH and PAH sites and return all
unused blood to the laboratory together with all appropriate documentation
9. To return all unused blood back into stock following the appropriate SOP
10. A bleep must be carried at ALL times and calls must be answered within a maximum of 5
minutes.
11. Collect urgent blood and blood products from the NBS, which fall outside the NBS
routine delivery schedule.
12. Inspect all blood banks for cleanliness on a daily basis and report any spillages or other
concerns you may have to a senior member of the laboratory. Page 2 of 5
13. Inspect temperature charts and change when required as detailed in the relevant SOP
14. To perform any other appropriate duties as delegated by laboratory Section Managers
15. To work flexible shifts to provide continuous 24 hour cover for the laboratory service.
Service Development
16. To participate in the evaluation of new equipment, techniques and protocols.
17. To assist in any research and development activities as required
Analytical & Interpretative
18. To receive and sort samples and enter patient demographic details as necessary
19. To prepare samples and perform diagnostic tests on samples arising from NHS, private,
commercial and clinical trials organisations according to current Standard Operating
Procedures.
20. To handle and analyse a range of biological material including blood, urine, faeces and
body tissue
21. To perform automated, semi-automated and manual laboratory investigations.
22. To operate complex electronic equipment according to laboratory and manufacturers
guidelines.
23. To prepare reagents and ensure they are stored and used according
24. manufacturer’s guidelines and laboratory procedures.
Safety
25. To handle chemicals according to COSHH regulations.
26. To deal with spillage of samples/chemicals in a safe and appropriate manner.
27. To collect laboratory and confidential waste and dispatch for safe disposal
28. To take responsibility for the safe use of laboratory equipment.
Information Technology
29. To handle telephone enquiries and communicate results to other departments and outside
agencies in accordance with laboratory protocols and in compliance with Data Protection
Act.
30. To input patient data into the laboratory computer system
31. To enter test results and predefined comments into the laboratory computer system.
Communication & Liaison
32. To communicate problems to scientific staff when quality control procedures indicate loss
of performance of laboratory instruments or methods
33. To communicate with colleagues, other healthcare professionals and staff from external
organisations and deals politely with all service users.
34. To communicate stock levels to appropriate personnel to facilitate reordering.
35. To participate in section meetings and feedback information/ suggestions for
improvements in local policies and procedures.
36. To report adverse clinical incidents to scientific staff.
Duty of Care
You are responsible for ensuring that the patient, family and carers are at the centre of
everything you do.
Be open, honest and willing to acknowledge when something has gone wrong. Make timely
apologies and take action to report incidents, including near misses; to ensure that as an
organisation we learn.
You should continuously seek to reduce harm by speaking up to managers and leaders if you
believe that a lack of skills, knowledge or resources place patients at a risk of harm or if your
concerns are not being listened to. Managers and leaders must listen to others when they raise
concerns and take action.
Wholeheartedly commit to learning about safety, continually striving to improve excellent
care. Develop your own ability to detect and correct defects.
All employees of Southampton University Trust are reminded of the need to treat all
information, particularly clinical and management information, as confidential.
Requirements
Flexible 24/7 working Able to work under reduced supervision out-of-hours Reliable and
punctual Ability to handle biological samples in both closed and open containers
Keyboard skills Literate, numerate Articulate Able to follow laboratory procedures. Attention
to detail
