Healthcare Sciences Support Worker

Overview

Work as part of a team supporting and supervised by a Health and Care Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientist. Booking and preparing patient samples and requests for analysis, and carrying out basic laboratory duties. The Blood Sciences Department is a demand led service, processing over 4000 patient samples every weekday. The workflow is unpredictable with peaks and troughs throughout the day, requiring a high level of tolerance to repetitive work and a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail to meet analysis turnaround times and provide an effective clinical service to wards, departments and GP surgeries, and a fast response service to the emergency departments. This role is based within the Specimen Reception, in a fast-paced environment with on-the-job training and a 24/7 laboratory service at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) across Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital.Responsibilities

Sample Preparation: Receive and sort pathology samples; distribute samples to departments; label samples and prepare them for analysis; record and inform service users and senior staff of requests that do not comply with Specimen Acceptance Criteria.Data Handling: Enter data onto the laboratory computer system.Housekeeping and Maintenance: Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust and departmental policies; clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment; assist with use and maintenance of laboratory equipment; maintain adequate stocks of consumables and ensure stock is stored in a timely manner.Communication: Communicate with a limited range of Trust staff; maintain a pleasant and confidential approach; attend department meetings; maintain an effective communication network and keep practitioner information up to date.Training and Development: Training is provided and assessed in the department; develop working knowledge of health and safety procedures; participate in appraisal and develop a Personal Development Plan; attend mandatory training and assist in training new staff when required.Organisational Responsibilities: General clerical and administrative duties including scanning, photocopying, filing and shredding confidential waste; complete records in Specimen Reception, including fridge temperatures in accordance with laboratory protocols.Professional Responsibilities: Maintain confidentiality; exercise independent judgement and initiative; ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.Based within Blood Sciences, you will be working mainly in specimen reception processing samples received from the Hospitals and General Practitioners. This area can be very busy and requires precise working under time pressures. Keyboard skills and experience of data input are advantageous, as would previous work in a Pathology lab (not essential). The post requires participation in various shifts over 24 hours, including weekends. Part- and full-time positions will be considered.Qualifications

3 GCSEs at grade 4-9 (English and Maths) or equivalentProven keyboard skillsAbility to work as part of a flexible rota pattern covering 24/7 hoursDesirable criteriaExperience of working in a busy environmentAbout East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and operates a Zero Tolerance policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. Our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service in recruitment of people into positions of trust. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background, and especially welcome applications from BAME communities due to under-representation. Appointments will be made on merit.Note on employment details: Salary advertised is for full-time hours. If the post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band. This vacancy may close before the closing date if sufficient applications are received; complete your application early. Check the email account used for applications regularly as we will contact you via email. Shortlisting is completed anonymously against essential criteria; only applicants who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS): If the role is identified as controlled or regulated activity, any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check. The Trust operates a DBS cost policy with candidates paying the DBS check cost if appointed, with payment through payroll deductions where applicable. Fees: Enhanced Disclosure £55.38 and Standard Disclosure ..... full job details .....