1. Under supervision operate and maintain laboratory equipment according to departmental and manufacturers, protocols and procedures
2. Ensure agreed standards for turnaround times of samples are met by supporting other lab staff, including CRF research nurses
3. Carry out laboratory investigations and processing of samples collected as part of research studies at the CRF in accordance with study specific protocols.
4. Perform technical duties in accordance with departmental and trial specific protocols and procedures, including packing and dispatching samples to external hospitals/vendors/central processing laboratories
5. General lab duties including preparatory work e.g. reagents and other solutions as required and organisation and receipt of stock items, consumables etc. ensuring where appropriate that items are entered into the reagent log, and placed at the correct storage temperature. To collect and deliver bottles and specimens etc. as required.
6. Undertake specialist training and education in category II containment status for laboratory work (e.g. GM material) such as safe waste disposal and decontamination, enhanced personal protection, increased awareness of contamination issues if required.
7. Liaise with other hospital staff as required
8. Periods of concentration would be required when performing complex sample processing, including multiple aliquot requirements to ensure the right sample is pipetted into the right numbered tubes.
Administrative and Managerial
1. Support other lab personnel in maintaining an effective and robust system to allow continuous temperature monitoring for all CRF fridges and freezers, and be prepared to act as an out-of-hours contact for any temperature excursions and sample transfer to back-up storage.
2. Take the lead in departmental stock control, maintaining adequate stock of reagents and consumables within the department including ordering reagents.
3. Carry out laboratory administrative tasks to support the UCLH CRF
4. General laboratory Housekeeping duties e.g. defrosting of freezers/cleaning of fridges when necessary, empty and tidy benches and work areas, cabinets etc.
5. Assist in planning one’s own work and that of other staff
6. Able to prioritise own workload based on information regarding upcoming patient activity at the CRF and through using CRF Manager® software.
7. Able to exercise own judgement in resolving problems.
8. Assume some day-to-day informal management responsibility for less experienced staff working in the lab, and provide guidance as required.
9. In conjunction with other lab personnel, deal with enquiries from contractors, monitors, clients and other external organisations. Review new laboratory manuals when required
Quality
1. Responsible for accurate record keeping, and ensuring complete, and up to date records related to the CRF Laboratory as required.
2. Adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures set out by the Department and ensure that they are observed by all relevant staff. Contribute to the content of new SOPs and help to update current SOPs as needed.
3. Work within the accepted rules and procedures of the Department.
4. Ensure confidentiality of results observing rules laid down by the Data Protection Act.
5. Contribute to audit activities and MHRA inspections as required.
6. Respond to Sponsor/PI/user requests promptly and monitor and review user needs, in association with laboratory management as part of a continual quality management system.
7. Support CRF Laboratory personnel in ensuring that the management (i.e. collection, use and distribution) of trial specific human tissue/samples is in accordance with current laws and guidelines.
Health and Safety
1. Take proper precautions to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory workers and visitors.
2. Work in a safe and effective manner, knowing correct procedures for handling hazardous substances within the laboratory, observing the Health and Safety at Work Act, Laboratory Safety and COSHH files, and instructing other laboratory users of these procedures.
Training and Education
1. Assist in the training of Medical Laboratory assistants within the UCLH CRF and other relevant research staff with less laboratory experience, including locum staff
2. Participate in the CRF Laboratory induction process when required
3. Take an active interest in and to keep abreast of developments in the disciplines.
4. Maintain a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
5. Participate in appropriate seminars, lectures and training sessions as indicated by PDP, agreed by manager at individual performance review.
General
1. Such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by authorised persons.
2. Be aware and adhere to all Trust Policies, the Health and Safety at Work Act and Data Protection Act.
3. Be aware that UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has adopted an Equal Opportunities Policy and regard should be taken of its content in relation to the treatment of employees or potential employees.
4. Identify opportunities for improvement and enhancement within CRF processes and to bring these to the attention of the CRF management team
5. Be prepared to undergo any training deemed to be necessary for the full execution of trial duties.