UHWS Medical Laboratory Aide

*********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED*******

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative

The Medical Laboratory Aide will:

· Participate in the laboratory’s accreditation procedures and processes.

· Train new and existing staff where directed.

· Receive, check, sort and label specimens in accordance with laboratory policy.

· Take, record and deliver phone messages as required.

· Check stock levels, order, receive and restock stores.

· Collect or retrieve information from laboratory records.

· File specimens, blocks and slides and maintain records.

· Complete record sheets and keep as appropriate.

· Have basic knowledge / experience in the use of laboratory computer systems e.g. Laboratory Information System (Apex), Vantage tracking system, printing labels, scanning documents etc.

Technical

The Medical Laboratory Aide will:

· Participate in the pre analytical and post analytical processes of the laboratory.

· Carry out preparative work on diagnostic and other samples as required.

· Use & maintain the pneumatic transport system.

· Prepare and dispatch samples to other laboratories as required.

· Assist scientific staff in the performance of a limited number of pathology tests.

· Perform required laboratory tasks such as operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, tissue embedding and microtomy.

· Maintain stocks of all Laboratory consumables and reagents

· Prepare and dispatch samples to other laboratories as required.

· Collect specimens, deliver reports and other goods within the Department and throughout the hospital.

· Prepare basic laboratory solutions/reagents and maintain of records.

· Assist scientific staff in the performance of a limited number of pathology tests.

· Assist in the laboratory’s cut up room procedures.

· Undertake basic equipment maintenance and reagent changes.

· Use, maintain and clean standard laboratory equipment e.g. Centrifuges, autoclaves, refrigerators etc.

· Wash, clean and disinfect equipment, glassware, benches, sinks etc.

· Prepare, collect and dispose of all laboratory waste, excess tissue etc.

· Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time.

· Perform tests under supervision and record results of such tests

Accreditation / Standards / Regulatory

The Medical Laboratory Aide will:

· Keep the laboratory, instruments within the laboratory and the storage areas clean and tidy at all times.

· Perform all duties according to written laboratory procedures in keeping with good laboratory practice and accreditation standards.

· Comply with the operational policies of University Hospital Waterford and be aware of fire precautions as outlined in the Health & Safety Statement.

Confidentiality / Impartiality

The Medical Laboratory Aide will:

· Respect information obtained in the course of duties performed and refrain from disclosing such information without the consent of the employee/patient, or person entitled to act on their behalf, except where disclosure is required by law or by order of the court, or is necessary in the public interest.

· As a member of the laboratory staff, will operate impartially and not engage in activities which might conflict with its independence of judgement and integrity in relation to the laboratories testing activities.

Health & Safety

The Medical Laboratory Aide will:

· At all times comply with the requirements of the Laboratory Safety Statement.

· Participate in risk assessments, identify risks, propose and implement appropriate remedial measures.

· Report incidents and near misses as appropriate.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The range of work allotted to the Laboratory Aide is not exclusive to them and may at any time be performed by any member of laboratory staff.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.