Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Based off-site in Basildon, Essex, our purpose-built, state-of-the-art hub laboratory undertakes consolidated, harmonised, routine testing as well as an increasing range of specialist laboratory work. This leaves the hospital-based ‘Essential Service Laboratories’ – also run by SYNLAB – to focus on urgent clinical laboratory tests, which require a fast turnaround time
Over 450 employees service a population of over 850’000 people locally, providing over 16 million tests annually.

Main Duties to include

•    Technical
•    To undertake routine operative and preventative maintenance on point of care testing instruments
•    To perform validation and verification of new equipment for new projects/ developments and replacement equipment

•    Undertake basic troubleshooting of analytical instruments and automated analysers in POCT.
•    Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff in POCT
•    Set up equipment for safe use by others.
•    Perform processing of EQA specimens on a variety of POCT equipment.
•    Analyse and make judgments on straightforward scientific/technical issues, which may involve analysing a range of options
•    File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required
•    Attend and support installation of equipment and instruct users in its correct use, as and when required in POCT
•    Administrative
•    To follow the standard operating procedures and to participate in their regular review and update. 
•    Assist in ensuring point of care testing record keeping is accurate and in compliance with good working practices as required for UKAS Accreditation.
•    To answer telephone and other enquires from health professionals and to act as the first line point of contact for problem related analysis in POCT
•    Ensure adequate stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery
•    Liaise with other departments as appropriate
•    Assist in EQA schemes by distributing samples and collecting data
•    Communication
•    Communicate effectively with staff, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication and specific clinical situations.
•    Communicate effectively with other team members 
•    Acting as first reference point for dealing with complaints and queries
•    Communicating with Trust staff to ensure all training and POCT equipment enquiries are dealt with efficiently.
•    Supervisory
•    Implement new policies within the scope of Pathology First, MSE Trust and community-based areas and propose changes to such policies as necessary
•    Provide training of POCT procedures to other healthcare professionals as directed by the POCT Team Manager
•    Participate in audits of hospital and community based process and procedures in POCT
•    Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork

•    Generic

•    Compliance with local and national policies for the safe secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information within the compliance of SOPs and the Pathology First quality management system.
•    Post holder to be able to organise own day to day duties with ability to identify/prioritise urgent tasks
•    Be proactive in escalating any possible issues that may impact on service delivery to senior colleagues
•    Work with community healthcare providers to give a high quality of care 
•    To adhere to equality and fairness in working relations.
•    Provide practical training in procedures within own area for new staff.
•    To maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology First
•    Undertake a period of training and assessment of competence
•    Maintain knowledge and skills as identified by the appraisal cycle
•    To participate in an annual appraisal cycle.
•    Observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies
•    Undertake required statutory and mandatory training as directed by line manager.