Laboratory Technician 

Laboratory Technician act in a specialised technical role in the analysis of blood, body fluids, tissues and cells using specialised laboratory equipment to determine the presence or absence of disease, enabling diagnosis and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. They carry out, unsupervised, routine and more complex investigations and analyses. They use acquired specialist knowledge of the latest biomedical techniques, instrumentation alongside more traditional manual methods of investigation.

 To use analytical skills and good judgement to:

 Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis through all sections within their area of specialism as required.

 To follow the policy and procedures (P&Ps) and to participate in the regular review and update of P&Ps. Suggest changes to work practices within the section and assist implementation.

 To maintain specialist equipment to correct loss of performance and to ensure staff undertake routine operative maintenance, corrective maintenance and troubleshooting.  To plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.

 Monitor and refer inappropriate requests to senior staff.

 To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.

 To carry out corrective action or inform senior staff when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.

 To prepare reagents required for laboratory investigations.

 To take appropriate action should the quality assurance systems be outside acceptable limits.

 To maintain an up-to-date and thorough knowledge of the designated section.

 To perform specialised and complex tests in the section and to help train and supervise other staff.

 To use interpretative skills to determine the clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, for example, by:- preparation, examination and reporting on clinical specimens  To interpret routine and complex diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions, i.e.: authorisation of normal and abnormal results, adding technical comments, making decisions for further testing, informing the requestor / medical staff / GP / other service users of clinically significant / urgent / anomalous results, operation of automated equipment, deciding on suitability of materials submitted for testing. Informing service users when samples are unsuitable for analysis.

 To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.

 Check, and correct if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff.

 To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.

 To ensure that records are kept up-to-date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices.

 To undertake work file management to ensure that reporting of results are carried out in a timely fashion.

 To contact service users in case of any problems with received samples.

 To communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section or by more formal means such as presentations.

 To actively participate in team meetings and to inform effectively at handover.

 Demonstrate competency in order to work autonomously out of hours.

 To maintain an awareness of developments and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.

 To keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.

 To maintain good working relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.

 The post holder is required to maintain confidentiality of information regarding patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with DARS Data Protection and Confidentiality Agreement and all other relevant legislation as appropriate.

 All staff has a responsibility to report any risks, clinical and non-clinical accidents and incidents / potential incidents promptly and to co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

 The Medical Laboratory is responsible for ensuring the service provided for patients in its care meets the highest standards. Equally, it is responsible for ensuring that staff does not abuse their official position for personal gain or to benefit their family or friends. The Medical Laboratory standing orders require employees to declare any interest, direct or indirect, with contracts involving the local health community. Staffs are not allowed to further their private interests in the course of their duties

Essential: the post holder must

• Have an appropriate license to work as a Lab Technician in the relevant regulatory health authority with all the qualifications and experience these mandates.
• Manage their own professional re-licensure.
• Hold a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider card.
• Be willing to work across departments when necessary.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English (spoken and written)

DESIRABLE: The post holder should have:

• Evidenced ability to work as part of an inter-professional team.
• Organizational and administrative skills with which to use the electronic medical record platform for clinical documentation.

Be able to communicate effectively in Arabic