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Main Duties

- Preparation of biomedical specimens and materials. 

- Analysis of samples using various techniques.

- Use of the laboratory computer to accurately record patient data.

- Interpretation of analytical results

- Knowledge in the troubleshooting, adjustments and repair of instrumentation

- To ensure departmental quality standards are maintained through adherence to standard operating procedures, implementation of quality control programmes and instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting.

- Strict adherence to the codes of practice in all matters concerning conduct at work including patient confidentiality.

- Adherence to all Trust and laboratory employment and Health and Safety policies &   Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

- Achieve competency in the processing of biomedical specimens for screening, diagnostic monitoring and preparation of therapeutic materials. Provide accurate and timely appropriate analytical data. Competencies should be documented and signed off.

- Prioritisation of work to take account of workload and urgency of analyses

- Participation in internal audit, internal and external quality control.

- Participation as appropriate in laboratory meetings, discussion groups and projects. 

- Maintaining high standard of professional competence and up-to-date knowledge of new developments in both the laboratory and in the field of clinical microbiology in general.

Technical Duties

Sample Reception:

Developing specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples received onto the bench by interpretation of clinical information and specimen type. The safe handling of high-risk samples and dealing with any leaking/damaged samples. Rapid and accurate computer data entry including entry of patient demographics using the IPS system and handling incoming telephone calls, giving advice and results to users.

Microbiological Culture:

Developing specialist knowledge to select appropriate media, incubation temperatures and atmospheres as indicated by specimen type and clinical information provided. Using that knowledge to interpret culture results to decide if significant organisms (bacteria/fungi) are present. Performing identification techniques and antimicrobial sensitivity tests and interpreting these. Relying upon this knowledge to compile and format clinical reports.

Microscopy: 

Performing microscopic investigations using plain light, polarised and fluorescence techniques to examine unstained and stained preparations including parasites, cell counts of various body fluids, the detection of micro-organisms in patient samples. Microscopy of seminal fluid for post vasectomy and infertility investigations.

Staining:

Performing standard staining techniques e.g. Gram, ZN, auramine and specialist stains as indicated by findings or clinical information provided.

Blood cultures:

Dealing with positive blood cultures flagged by BacT/Alert system using techniques described above.

Specialised Cultures/Techniques:

Processing environmental and infection control samples, processing urine samples for sexually transmitted diseases using specialised PCR technology. 

Serology:

Undertaking virological and non-virological analysis of serum samples using both automated systems (Vidas3, DS2, Cobas e411) and manual methods.

Containment Level 3 Room:

Working within the CL3 room dealing with high risk samples safely, to be familiar with the enactment of emergency procedures and to be able to dispose of high risk waste appropriately.  

Covid Laboratory:

Working within a secure laboratory dealing with high risk samples safely, to be familiar with the enactment of emergency procedures and to be able to dispose of high risk waste appropriately. 

To be able to prioritise samples according to user requirements. Prepare specimens for testing dependent on platform of choice, and act upon the result provided ensuring reflex or referral testing is performed appropriately. 

Equipment:

Developing knowledge of all instrumentation to ensure that the post holder is capable of operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the following equipment and any new equipment acquired:

- Automated serology analysers

- PCR analysers

- BacT/Alert blood culture and liquid TB analysers

- Sedimax urine analysers

- Anaerobic incubation cabinet

- CL3 safety cabinets

- Various other equipment including, centrifuges and incubators