Job Description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable person keen to work as a biomedical support worker undertaking laboratory tasks working alongside qualified scientists and office staff.



Applicants require a minimum of GCSEs (or equivalent) in English, Maths and Science (grades 4-9) and IT skills. Previous laboratory experience is not required.



Post is not suitable for visa sponsorship.



Laboratory tasks are performed at bench height (standing or sitting on tall draughtman's seats). Tasks include:



Specimen reception duties



Receipt and sorting of specimens - moving specimen containers which range from small pots to large buckets



Computer data entry



Receiving tissue blocks and slides from other laboratories



General laboratory duties



Replacing / disposing of chemicals on laboratory machines - moving of 5 litre and 10 litre containers using a trolley and fume cupboard



Daily maintenance on laboratory machines



Making stock solutions of chemicals



General stock control of laboratory consumables - ordering, receiving, delivering (requires movement of supplies weighing up to 20kg using cages and a trolley, placing them in relevant stores)



Specimen disposal (human tissue removed for diagnosis)



Scanning of paperwork



Scanning of histology slides for digital pathology - histology slides converted into digital image for pathologists to make a diagnosis.



Filing of departmental slides, tissue blocks and specimens according to regulations.



Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.



Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.



We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.



These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel .

Overall Objective:

To work as part of a team to assist in the provision of an efficient and smooth running laboratory service to the Trust, General Practice, other UK or overseas laboratories and Clinical Trials by following the departmental standard operating procedures throughout all sections of the department.



Participation in reception, storage and data entry of samples arriving in the laboratory (both laboratory and office based) laboratory machine maintenance, waste disposal and other general laboratory duties; working in analytical areas of the laboratory as required.



Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities



Accept full range of clinical specimens into the department working with staff within the hospital and operating the air tube system and specimen hoist. Occasional use of stairs may be required for this purpose.



Assess specimens for urgency and sort by laboratory section



Match specimens and request forms, and assign unique laboratory number, task requires complete accuracy and attention to detail.



Ensure that specimens meet acceptance criteria for testing and dealing with any non-compliance in accordance with departmental operating procedures.



Be fully conversant with relevant departmental polices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensuring that personal performance and demonstrated competence complies with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards.



In conjunction with biomedical scientists (BMS) staff ensure the validity of results by the use of appropriate control materials



Work in cooperation with BMS staff to ensure workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.



Participate in the preparation of disinfectants and reagents in accordance with SOPs and Health and Safety requirements



Be capable of occasional heavy lifting (up to 20kg) e.g. disposal of waste or boxes of new supplies.



Perform daily maintenance tasks e.g. changing of chemicals and wax on staining machines and tissue processors in Cellular Pathology.



Role Responsibilities



Work to achieve competencies across the repertoire of the department as appropriate to grade



Perform effective communication of information about specimens with other staff groups both internal and external to the laboratory



Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills in order to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases.



Perform a range of administrative tasks in all sections of the laboratory as required. This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and collection of data for audits.



Ensure efficient use of resources and be aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates



Ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained in own area of operation, this may include issuing stock to external departments and ordering stock from external suppliers under supervision, receipt and distribution of new supplies within the department



Maintain a clean and safe working environment



Be aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors or breaches to the senior staff



Despatch biological specimens to referral centres, ensuring the packaging is compliant with SOP guidelines



Solve day-to-day problems e.g. mislabelled and lost specimens



Provide assistance to newly appointed staff, which may include demonstration of procedures.



For further information see job description.