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Job summary

Main area
Specimen Reception
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
411-MED-24-6794854
Employer
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Closing
27/11/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specimen Reception Team Leader

NHS AfC: Band 4

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is a provider of specialist health care and has a presence in community outreach sites and, in collaboration with other providers, our clinicians help deliver care closer to patients’ homes by holding local clinics at locations from Cumbria to Shropshire, in Wales and the Isle of Man. The Trust also provides inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs at our Sunflower House building newly relocated, and opened on the hospital site.

We currently have more than 4,000 staff working across our community and hospital sites. We’re also a teaching and training hospital providing education and training to around 540 medical and over 500 nursing and allied health professional students each year.

As black and minority ethnic (BME) employees are currently under-represented in this area, we particularly welcome applications from members of our BME communities. All appointments will be made on merit.

You can expect a warm welcome at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At Alder Hey we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

  • Great flexible working opportunities
  • Lease car scheme and Home Electronics Scheme
  • Generous annual leave and pension scheme
  • Extensive staff health and well-being programmes

Job overview

Responsible for the operational management of Sample Reception. To manage reception staff in order to ensure that an efficient pre-analytic Pathology service is delivered.  The post holder will effectively liaise with all four departments and organise the smooth process flow of samples to these areas. The post holder will produce the rota of staff into and out of the area. Sample reception will provide telephone support for the department.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for the operational management of Sample Reception. To manage reception staff in order to ensure that an efficient pre-analytic Pathology service is delivered.  The post holder will effectively liaise with all four departments and organise the smooth process flow of samples to these areas. The post holder will produce the rota of staff into and out of the area. Sample reception will provide telephone support for the department.

Working for our organisation

As one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals, at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, we treat everything from common illnesses to highly complex and specialist conditions. In addition to our main hospital site, we offer paediatric services at a number of community sites and hold local clinics across Merseyside, Cumbria, Shropshire, Wales and the Isle of Man. We also provide specialist inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs in our recently relocated and newly opened state of the art facility.

Alder Hey has a thriving research portfolio and leads research into children’s medicines, infection, inflammation and oncology. We are becoming recognised as one of the world’s leaders in children’s healthcare and research. We contribute to public health, lead cutting-edge research and teach the next generation of children’s specialists. Alongside this is our Innovation Hub, a dedicated space where clinicians and industries can come together to create new products and technologies.

We know that a children’s hospital is different and that our job is more than just treating an illness. To us, every child is an individual. As well as giving them the very best care, we set out to make them feel happy, safe and confident as they play, learn and grow. At Alder Hey we are here to look after a child and their family and that includes mums, dads, brothers and sisters.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.1 To manage an integrated pre-analytic Pathology reception service provided by Pathology Reception staff ensuring an efficient, first rate service is delivered. 

1.2 To participate in the reception, processing, referral, and storage of a variety of specimens, which may contain high risk organisms. 

            1.3 To enter and manage data using the Meditech computer                   system.

1.4  Line management responsibility for all MLA staff within the Pathology department while in the sample reception area, including identification of staff training and development needs.

1.5 To manage the accurate record-keeping of managed staff including timekeeping and the management of sickness absence.

            1.6 To cover the absence of managed staff when required.

1.7 To manage any matters of a difficult nature encountered by reception staff in the course of their duties.

            1.8 Ensure new members of staff receive appropriate                    induction.

1.9 Maintain adequate supplies of stationery/goods/consumables.

1.10 Report all faults/repairs/maintenance required for the Pathology department, ensuring jobs are completed to a satisfactory outcome. 

1.11 Manage regular meetings with managed staff, addressing any issues arising.

1.12 To deal professionally with telephone enquiries with tact, diplomacy and empathy whilst maintaining strict patient confidentiality. 

1.13 To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of records and specimens, both physically and electronically. 

1.14 To perform housekeeping duties including general tidying, waste disposal, washing glassware and filing. 

             1.15 Collection and receiving of stock

1.16 To ensure proper and efficient use of equipment and consumables without wastage.

1.17 To ensure the moving and handling of heavy objects are undertaken according to Trust manual handling guidelines.

             1.18 To undertake water flushing requirements

1.19 To assist in the handling and processing of sendaway samples and the receipt and onward distribution of associated results

1.20 Any other duties which may be required to ensure the smooth running of the Pathology department. 

            1.21 To adhere to all health and safety policies within the Trust.

1.22 To be aware of, and comply with, the Alder Hey Trust policies and procedures.

1.23 To be aware and vigilant, in respect of security matters, and to report any breach of security to the appropriate manager.

 

 

 2 Management

         

2.1 To contribute to the writing and review of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

2.2 To monitor levels of reagents and consumable items and inform senior staff when stocks are running low.

2.3 To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety policies, including reporting of all accidents, hazards and defects as soon as possible.

2.4 To use any equipment and facilities provided within the department in a proper and safe manner.

    

3 Skills

3.1 To undertake a wide variety of non-automated operations requiring skill, knowledge and manual dexterity.

3.2 To ensure hazardous chemicals and reagents are handled appropriately according to COSHH regulations.

             3.3 To have basic computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office.

 

4          Research

           4.1 To compile and check data for audit.

 

                  5. Education

            5.1 GCSE in English or evidence of English language proficiency.

5.2 Science A level or IBMS certificate of achievement part II or level 4 healthcare science associate apprenticeship.

 

 

                               6 Training

            6.1 Assist in identifying own staff training needs.

6.2 To participate in annual performance review including the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP).

6.3 To participate in the induction and orientation of staff, students and visitors. 

6.4 To undergo mandatory training in Fire, and Health & Safety (biannually), and Manual Handling (annually). 

            6.5 To participate in in-house training.

6.6 To seek every opportunity for self-development and to identify personal training needs.

 

7.1 To communicate effectively with peers, senior colleagues and service users.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • GCSE in English or evidence of English language proficiency
  • Science A level or IBMS certificate of achievement part II or Level 4 healthcare science associate apprenticeship
Desirable criteria
  • Completed MLA training logbook

Experience

Essential criteria
  • 12 months minimum experience of work in paediatric Pathology
  • Experience of prioritising workload
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of handling sickness/ absence/ AL
  • Experience using Meditech

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Navajo - Merseyside and CheshireDisability confident employerHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Joanne Rudkin
Job title
Biochemistry Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01512525561
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