Medical Laboratory Assistant - Pre-Analytics

The Pre-Analytics Team at Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) in Somerset are looking for a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant, to join our team of professionals, to make a difference in the field. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated to providing a high-quality testing service and are enthusiastic about mentoring and sharing knowledge. Take the next step in your career and be part of our innovative and dynamic organisation.

Our Pre-Analytics Team operates its services across two Taunton sites, the HUB and Musgrove Park Hospital. This position is primarily based at our Musgrove Park Hospital Laboratory, within our Essential Service Laboratory, in Clinical Trials. The role also supports MPH specimen reception and involves some weekend working, and early and late shift working patterns.

At SYNLAB, we believe in nurturing a culture of well-being and ensuring our employees are supported both professionally and personally. We offer a Wellbeing Allowance worth up to £1500 per annum for our esteemed team members working in Band 2 - 6 roles. SPS maintains a comprehensive training budget designed to support the career development of all staff members. This investment ensures that employees have access to the necessary resources and opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge and advance their professional growth.

As a Medical Laboratory Assistant within the Clinical Trials, you will work closely with laboratory scientists and research teams to support testing and providing patient centred scientific excellence, whilst maintaining high quality standards in accordance with ISO15189. This includes data entry and sample processing techniques.

SPS will commit to support you in developing your skills and knowledge in line with your professional growth and our business interests. Most importantly, through our shared values, you will help to make a positive difference to the lives, health and wellbeing of those within our community.

Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 100 GP practices, delivering on over 9 million tests annually.

The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation.
Originally, there was a single site at each hospital with both undertaking similar urgent and non-urgent tests. There is now a well-developed central ‘hub’ laboratory in Taunton with an ‘essential services laboratory’ at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing.

SYNLAB UK & Ireland have extensive experience of working in partnership with the NHS to deliver and improve pathology services through its existing pathology joint ventures - including Southwest Pathology Services (SPS). Our team at SPS have been fundamental to the principle of making a positive difference to healthcare in Somerset for over a decade. We hold ISO15189 UKAS accreditation and are an HCPC approved training Laboratory for both IBMS Registration and Specialist Portfolios.

Specific responsibilities include assisting and carrying duties in the following areas;

Provide support in specimen reception areas of the laboratory, for specimen receipt, and data entry using LIMS systems.

Provide support for the receipt and sample processing of Clinical Trials research projects.

Rotate through all areas of the Laboratory as required (dependent on experience and training), to perform all designated duties in accordance with local working practices, to maintain high personal standards and conform to Health and Safety regulations.

To prepare and process clinical specimens for biomedical testing, within operating procedures and protocols.

To work within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of Team Managers and Pre-Analytics coordinators.

To continue with personal development through academic or practical experience.