Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Scientific & analytical

• To receive, sort and process a substantial quantity of clinical samples, identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors, missing information etc.
• To perform substantial amounts of accurate data input on computers for prolonged periods of time of patient information and investigations requested by hospital clinical staff and GPs
• To maintain attention to accuracy at all times during data input and labelling of samples.
• Follows standard operating procedures (SOP) at all times
• Understands analytical work that is going to be undertaken

Diagnostic & interpretive

• Understands the urgency of requests; prioritising work according to SOPs.
• Judges whether samples are suitable for testing and takes appropriate action.
• Ensures system for phoning results is adhered to.
• To answer calls on the Pathology enquiry line on a rota basis, giving results, information and advice within their competency.
• To take significant numbers of requests for supplementary tests, find the appropriate sample and order the test(s), contacting the requestor about any issues this may cause

Supervisory & management

• Undertakes training as appraisee and participates in annual and six monthly review
• May participate in overtime arrangements when assessed as competent to do so.
• Books leave in accordance with departmental policy
• Reports personal absence to senior member of staff, according to trust policy.
• Is aware of and understands trust policies for grievance, discipline and capability

Communication & liaison

• Maintains awareness of changes and developments in the section and other departments within Pathology.
• To act as the first point of contact for all of pathology, dealing with a wide range of enquiries maintaining confidentiality. This includes communication with outside sources with information of a sensitive nature either in person or over the telephone. To inform appropriate staff that people have arrived.
• Participates in the staff questionnaire. Feeds comments up through the management system.
• Communicates with patients and staff on appointments, specimen collections, procedures for samples pre analysis etc
• Ensures that results are not given inappropriately to patients, explaining why when necessary.
• Ensures that external visitors complete visitor logs and issues badges as appropriate
• Issues results in accordance with departmental SOPs
• To collate, envelope and dispatch pathology reports.
• To co-operate with other staff within the Pathology department in order that resources are used to maximum benefit.
• Attends meetings as directed

Education & training

• Supports competency training for junior staff in co-operation with the section trainers.
• Responsible for own personal development
• Expected to complete the NVQ level 2 or equivalent in pathology support when established
• Attends all courses as directed.
• Attends all mandatory and statutory training courses as directed.

Assessment of new staff is carried out after 4 months by a suitably qualified assessor. After successful completion of the assessment new staff will be required to participate in the extended weekday, weekend and bank holiday rotas in addition to the contracted hours

Information management & technology

• Works within standard operating procedures and policies to ensure high quality data, thus maintaining the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases. Recognises data quality problems and brings to the attention of senior staff.
• Attends training on the use of display screen equipment and ensures that working practices comply.
• Reports any non-functional hardware to senior staff.
• Uses the laboratory information management system according to authorised protocols.
• Uses quality management system for read only access
• Complies with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information

Financial & resource management

• Uses resources efficiently and cost effectively.
• To sign for deliveries and inform stores staff of large deliveries.
• Reports low level of supplies appropriately to ensure continuing supply.
• Ensures that stocks are stored appropriately.
• Uses equipment safely, taking into account its complexity, limitations and value

Clinical audit and quality management

• Assists with data collection for audits as directed
• Is aware of all types of documentation within the laboratory organisation

Health & safety

• Works within all health and safety policies in a safe manner, recognising hazards within the workplace and applying agreed precautionary measures.
• Is mindful of duties towards colleagues, visitors and patients in maintaining a safe environment and safe working practices. Reports any defects noticed.
• Applies knowledge from training in display screen equipment, personal protective equipment and manual handling to own work practices
• Applies knowledge from fire safety training to ensure safety for self and others. Complies with all fire procedures as directed.
• Understands the implications of COSHH and risk assessment documentation and works within defined control measures at all times.
• Maintains awareness of all emergency and major incident procedures, and acts accordingly in the event of an incident
• Understands and adheres to trust policies for clinical waste disposal.
• Understands the reporting system for clinical incident reporting and uses it appropriately.

Other Role-Specific Duties

1. Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.
2. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Scientific & analytical

• To receive, sort and process a substantial quantity of clinical samples, identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors, missing information etc.
• To perform substantial amounts of accurate data input on computers for prolonged periods of time of patient information and investigations requested by hospital clinical staff and GPs
• To maintain attention to accuracy at all times during data input and labelling of samples.
• Follows standard operating procedures (SOP) at all times
• Understands analytical work that is going to be undertaken

Diagnostic & interpretive

• Understands the urgency of requests; prioritising work according to SOPs.
• Judges whether samples are suitable for testing and takes appropriate action.
• Ensures system for phoning results is adhered to.
• To answer calls on the Pathology enquiry line on a rota basis, giving results, information and advice within their competency.
• To take significant numbers of requests for supplementary tests, find the appropriate sample and order the test(s), contacting the requestor about any issues this may cause

Supervisory & management

• Undertakes training as appraisee and participates in annual and six monthly review
• May participate in overtime arrangements when assessed as competent to do so.
• Books leave in accordance with departmental policy
• Reports personal absence to senior member of staff, according to trust policy.
• Is aware of and understands trust policies for grievance, discipline and capability

Communication & liaison

• Maintains awareness of changes and developments in the section and other departments within Pathology.
• To act as the first point of contact for all of pathology, dealing with a wide range of enquiries maintaining confidentiality. This includes communication with outside sources with information of a sensitive nature either in person or over the telephone. To inform appropriate staff that people have arrived.
• Participates in the staff questionnaire. Feeds comments up through the management system.
• Communicates with patients and staff on appointments, specimen collections, procedures for samples pre analysis etc
• Ensures that results are not given inappropriately to patients, explaining why when necessary.
• Ensures that external visitors complete visitor logs and issues badges as appropriate
• Issues results in accordance with departmental SOPs
• To collate, envelope and dispatch pathology reports.
• To co-operate with other staff within the Pathology department in order that resources are used to maximum benefit.
• Attends meetings as directed

Education & training

• Supports competency training for junior staff in co-operation with the section trainers.
• Responsible for own personal development
• Expected to complete the NVQ level 2 or equivalent in pathology support when established
• Attends all courses as directed.
• Attends all mandatory and statutory training courses as directed.

Assessment of new staff is carried out after 4 months by a suitably qualified assessor. After successful completion of the assessment new staff will be required to participate in the extended weekday, weekend and bank holiday rotas in addition to the contracted hours

Information management & technology

• Works within standard operating procedures and policies to ensure high quality data, thus maintaining the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases. Recognises data quality problems and brings to the attention of senior staff.
• Attends training on the use of display screen equipment and ensures that working practices comply.
• Reports any non-functional hardware to senior staff.
• Uses the laboratory information management system according to authorised protocols.
• Uses quality management system for read only access
• Complies with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information

Financial & resource management

• Uses resources efficiently and cost effectively.
• To sign for deliveries and inform stores staff of large deliveries.
• Reports low level of supplies appropriately to ensure continuing supply.
• Ensures that stocks are stored appropriately.
• Uses equipment safely, taking into account its complexity, limitations and value

Clinical audit and quality management

• Assists with data collection for audits as directed
• Is aware of all types of documentation within the laboratory organisation

Health & safety

• Works within all health and safety policies in a safe manner, recognising hazards within the workplace and applying agreed precautionary measures.
• Is mindful of duties towards colleagues, visitors and patients in maintaining a safe environment and safe working practices. Reports any defects noticed.
• Applies knowledge from training in display screen equipment, personal protective equipment and manual handling to own work practices
• Applies knowledge from fire safety training to ensure safety for self and others. Complies with all fire procedures as directed.
• Understands the implications of COSHH and risk assessment documentation and works within defined control measures at all times.
• Maintains awareness of all emergency and major incident procedures, and acts accordingly in the event of an incident
• Understands and adheres to trust policies for clinical waste disposal.
• Understands the reporting system for clinical incident reporting and uses it appropriately.

Other Role-Specific Duties

1. Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.
2. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Person Specification

Keyboard / Typing skills

Essential

• Keyboard / Typing skills

Desirable

• RSA / NVQ 2

Communication + clinical skill

Essential

• Good communication skills, via telephone, face to face and electronically

Desirable

• Medical terminology

Personal Management

Essential

• Team player and individual worker, able to prioritise workload

Motivation

Essential

• Why do they want to work for us?

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Keyboard / Typing skills

Essential

• Keyboard / Typing skills

Desirable

• RSA / NVQ 2

Communication + clinical skill

Essential

• Good communication skills, via telephone, face to face and electronically

Desirable

• Medical terminology

Personal Management

Essential

• Team player and individual worker, able to prioritise workload

Motivation

Essential

• Why do they want to work for us?

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)