Medical Laboratory Assistant inCarlisle inCarlisle PUBLISHED MON 21 OCT 2024

Band 2: £23,615 to £25,674 a year pa pro rata PERMANENT GOOD SALARY

BLOOD CULTURE NHS PENSION ROOM AIR WEEKEND

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust r98B0vsX

The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant for its Microbiology department in Carlisle, available for Band 2 or Band 3 candidates with relevant experience. Responsibilities include processing clinical specimens, patient registration, specimen reception, and general housekeeping. The role supports biomedical scientists and involves participation in a rota for weekend and late shifts. Although previous laboratory experience is not mandatory for Band 2 applicants as training will be provided, candidates must exhibit strong planning, organisational, and communication skills.

The working hours are flexible, and the department processes approximately 250,000 diagnostic requests annually. The position offers benefits such as a competitive NHS pension, access to professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment. Candidates should be aware of the eligibility requirements and additional criteria for applying, including potential relocation assistance.

INTERNAL ONLY TO NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (NCIC) EMPLOYEES

Band 2 (or Band 3 )Medical Lab Assistant (Higher) Microbiology Please read Job Description

Band 3 applicants will be considered if they meet the Essential Qualifications in the Person Specification and if they demonstrate experience of working in a diagnosticmicrobiology laboratory

Hours of work:

The laboratory is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am and 8.30am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. The department operates a flexi time system but staff may be expected to work until 5.30pm on weekdays.

The diagnostic workload is approx. 250,000 requests annually with all work centralised at the Cumberland Infirmary site.

We use a range of automated testing platforms including IRIS urine analyser, Dynex DS2, Cepheid and BacTec Blood Culture. We also perform traditional culture for the main laboratory areas and both Parasitology and Mycology are included in our repertoire.

As a medical laboratory assistant your role would include supporting the biomedical scientists in a range of laboratory duties including the processing of clinical specimens for testing, registration of patients onto the pathology computer system, specimen reception duties, telephone enquiries and general housekeeping duties.

Previous laboratory experience is not essential for the band 2 role as training will be provided after which time you would be expected to participate in a rota for weekend and late working. You should be able to demonstrate good planning, organisational and interpersonal skills as well as evidence of competence in problem solving and prioritising workloads. Excellent communication skills are essential for this post.

Is this role for you?

In order to help you decide if this role would suit you we have collated the most common "likes and dislikes" about the MLA job.

Likes:

Helping to save lives
The variety of tasks and the job is interesting
Feel supported especially in training
Good pension/holiday entitlement
Flexibility in shift swapping
Gain additional qualifications by Portfolio

Dislikes:

Repetitive duties
Heavy lifting
Handling difficult phone calls
Smelly environment
Stuffy because we can't open the windows as room air conditioned volume of knowledge needed can be overwhelming
Occasional staff pressures

About us
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Important Information

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:

Junk Mail is checked regularly

Disclosure and Barring Service:

On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.

The changes mean that:

youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure

the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.

If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.

Nacro Tel: , or email:

Unlock Tel: , email or complete the online form on the Unlock website

The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.

Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.

As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.

A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

Flexible working Scheme

Excellent opportunities for development

Competitive NHS Pension scheme

Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies

EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

These schemes are subject to availability

More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:

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More about the NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

Useful skills for a Medical Laboratory Assistant: Click to view

To work as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) in the UK, you'll need a combination of technical skills, interpersonal skills, and relevant qualifications. Here are some key skills and attributes required for the role:
Technical Skills:
1. Laboratory Techniques: Knowledge of techniques and procedures used in the laboratory, including sample collection and handling, preparation of specimens, and testing processes.
2. Quality Control: Understanding of quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
3. Equipment Operation: Familiarity with laboratory equipment and instruments, including microscopes, centrifuges, and analysers.
4. Health and Safety: Knowledge of health and safety regulations and protocols, including infection control and waste disposal.
5. Basic Computing Skills: Proficiency in data entry, using laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and basic use of Microsoft Office applications.
6. Data Interpretation: Ability to assist in the analysis and understanding of test results.
Interpersonal Skills:
1. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with laboratory staff, clinicians, and patients.
2. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals in a team-oriented environment.
3. Attention to Detail: Precision and carefulness when handling samples and recording results to avoid errors.
Organizational Skills:
1. Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively, especially in a fast-paced environment.
2. Problem-Solving: Critical thinking skills to troubleshoot and resolve issues that may arise during laboratory processes.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background: While not always essential, a relevant qualification, such as a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology, can be beneficial. A background in biology or chemistry may also enhance your employability.
- Experience: Previous experience in a laboratory setting, either through work or voluntary roles, is often advantageous.
Other Attributes:
- Professionalism: High ethical standards and professionalism in handling sensitive patient information.
- Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in technology and practices within the laboratory environment.

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