Staff and Training

Medical Laboratory Assistants in the Biochemistry lab support the functioning of the laboratory through performing maintenance and quality control procedures, sample analysis, monitoring outstanding work, and sorting and preparing samples for dispatch to external laboratories.

Medical Laboratory Assistants in Specimen Reception are responsible for receiving all samples into the department, ensuring that the correct tests and tubes are received, that samples have been correctly labelled, booking samples onto the IT system and loading samples onto the analysers.

The Help Desk is located in Specimen Reception, and is available to answer general queries between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

The majority of tests in the Clinical Biochemistry Department are performed by Biomedical Scientists. Biomedical Scientists have extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested; perform analysis of samples using complex equipment/techniques; perform technical validation of results, and identify critical results for communication to clinical teams.  Senior Biomedical Scientists are also involved in service development and evaluation of new methods and procedures, provide training for junior staff members and ensure that quality management procedures are adhered to.

The Clinical Biochemists offer specialised clinical guidance and scientific advice to other health professionals on selection, performance and interpretation of clinically relevant tests. In addition, Biochemists perform advanced scientific work, including highly specialist assays, method evaluation and selection, performance monitoring and external quality assessment; service development through implementation of new methods, clinical audit, research and development; and teaching and training of staff members of all levels.

The Duty Biochemist is available between 9 am and 7 pm Monday to Friday. During these hours, the Duty Biochemist examines abnormal results, ensures that critical results are communicated to clinical teams, interprets and comments on results where necessary, and answers clinical queries by telephone.

The Department actively supports training of staff members at all levels.  Staff members are fully trained and competency assessed before performing duties, with regular updates as necessary.  The Department also supports and participates in formal training activities, including:

• Pre-registration training for all registered professional groups
• Staff undergoing induction training, and those new to the NHS
• Trainee Clinical scientists
• Specialist Registrars and other junior medical staff
• Staff on regional or other rotational training schemes
• Staff developing key skills as a result of; new technology, reorganisation, capability issues, staff transfer
• Staff pursuing additional qualifications, such as; NVQ, ILM, MRCPath, BScHons, apprenticeship, AMSPAR, RSA, PgC, CMS, DMS and other postgraduate qualifications