Laboratory jobs in United Kingdom

As a small team, we are supportive, focused and provide a patient‑centric service. We work closely with teams outside the department, so that we can get a better understanding of the wider clinical picture. The department encourages CPD and ongoing training and education relevant to the role.

• Undertakes scientific duties to facilitate the smooth running of the routine surgical and post‑mortem services.
• Prepares samples using a range of specialist laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all required areas of the department under the supervision of senior staff.
• Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and / or products used.
• Exercises a degree of autonomy but refers to senior staff and works in co‑operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner, assessing samples for urgency and ensuring samples meet acceptance criteria for testing and dealing with any non‑compliance in accordance with departmental protocols.
• Works to gain competence in all departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that personal performance complies with UKAS and other professional standards.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on complex and expensive automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
• Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.
  Provides general advice, information or guidance to service users, particularly immediate colleagues, Theatre staff, Mortuary staff and other Biomedical Scientists.
• Prepares and advises other on preparation of tissue for specialist neuropathology diagnostic techniques after training.
• Has detailed knowledge and understanding of technical processes relating to the demonstration of normal and abnormal histology.
• Has detailed knowledge of the appropriate preparation of different kinds of samples from specimen reception through to case dispatch to the Consultants. This requires a high degree of concentration / experience to ensure accuracy, correct sample preparations are made, diagnostic tests controlled appropriately and test runs monitored for quality.
• In rotation with other staff able to deliver the laboratory post‑mortem service.
• In rotation with other staff able to deliver the laboratory surgical histology service.
• Applies accurate and appropriate procedures according to the clinical details or request from a Consultant.
• Uses and adheres to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and only amends these methods after prior agreement with staff.
• Ensures SOPs and policies in use within the department remain contemporary and relevant and assists in the development and review of SOPs.
• Applies appropriate quality control.
• Interprets the technical quality of results (Quality Assurance).
• Ensures records are maintained in order to audit quality of performance.
• Participates in National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS) tests and are submitted on time and to an appropriately high standard.
• Develops and maintains skills appropriate to the grade in order to provide the best possible laboratory service to our service users by participating in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
• Undertakes investigations as requested by the Laboratory Lead.
• Ensures the functioning of, and adequate maintenance of equipment, informs the Laboratory Lead should remedial action be necessary.
• Attends user group meetings when directed by the Laboratory Lead.
• Assists in the implementation of recommended change arising from new legislation.
• Maintains those levels of professional standards sent by the Laboratory Lead and Lead Consultant.
• Contributes to the scientific understanding and development of the profession and departmental team.
• Strictly observes confidentiality of all information concerning patients and adheres to the Data Protection Act.
• Ensures BMSs and Medical Laboratory Assistants understand and comply with requirements of patient confidentiality.
• Represents the department to a high professional standard in conduct, manner and appearance and upholds Trust Core Values.
• Ensures that tissue is not used except for purposes consented by patients or next of kin.
• Maintains standards set by the Laboratory Lead.
• Participates and meets agreed objectives identified in the Trust appraisal scheme.
• Ensures professional knowledge and skills are maintained by identifying and addressing own training needs. Assists the Laboratory Lead in setting own objectives.
• Assists the Laboratory Lead and Training Officer in planning objectives and suggesting training.
• Ensures that records are maintained in order to achieve the highest possible quality of performance and job satisfaction.
• Adheres to all safety legislation with particular regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and the principles of risk assessment and its management.
• Knowledge of chemical handling, storage and disposal.
• Assists in the implementation of recommended change arising from new legislation.
• Observes and adheres to all OUH corporate policies.
• Adheres to high standards of safety in carrying out duties within the laboratory including annual attendance at fire lectures.
• Raises concerns on health and safety with the Health and Safety Officer or Laboratory Lead.
• Participates in risk management of the department including the reporting of adverse incidents in accordance with Trust policy. Assists in any investigations.
• Collaborates with the senior staff to ensure a safe working environment for staff, patients and visitors and ensures that supervised staff comply with laboratory safety procedures.
• Reports all accidents to the Laboratory Lead and assists in any investigations in accordance with Trust policy.
• Performs laboratory housekeeping activities that assist safety in the laboratory.
• Provides daily provision of a service of a section of the laboratory service on a rotational basis.
• Monitors the economical use of consumables within the Department and works with the Laboratory Lead to ensure that adequate supplies are available.
• Maintains appropriate records and statistics as directed by the Quality Manager.
• Assists in the induction, orientation and training of BMS and Medical Laboratory Assistant grade staff as directed by the Laboratory Lead.
• Offers opinions or advices the Laboratory Lead of new techniques, equipment and systems which could facilitate improved efficiency and quality.
• Alerts Laboratory Lead of any maintenance of the estate with special regard to staff safety and new developments.
• Communicates with other staff and service users appropriately, effectively and efficiently either verbally, using email, SOPs, etc. to ensure an efficient service and positive working environment.
• Advises service users of appropriate methods of preparation and transport for samples.
• Participates in educational programmes.
• Complies fully with legislation relating to data protection.
• Enters and retrieves data accurately and efficiently from FileMaker Pro Neuropathology Surgical Reporting System, Post‑mortem Reporting System, Brain Tissue Archive System.
• Good working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Enters and retrieves data from other laboratory databases.
• When agrees with the Laboratory Lead to take part in an 'out of hours' service.
• Complies with the Working Time Directive.
• Duties outlined many change from time to time but be consistent with grade and in consultation with the Laboratory Lead.

• HCPC Registration
• IBMS Specialist Diploma
• Evidence of CPD, Significant experience of working within an NHS laboratory
• Significant histology experience
• Experience in validation and verification
• Knowledge of common IT programmes such as Word / Excel

• Neuropathology experience
• Participation in audits
• Participation in review of SOPs, Ability to work independently, organise workload
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good communication skills
• Ability to problem solve
• Able to troubleshoot problems with equipment
• Able to multitask
• You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality 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.

Louise Young is in work on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.