Agenda for Change Version 10

Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

Job Description
Job Group (Delete as Admin & Clerical
applicable):
Job Title: Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)
Existing Grade: Band 2
Care Group: Clinical Support Services
Service Line: Pathology
Department: Derriford Combined Laboratories
Location: Reception
Appraiser: Reception Manager
Accountable to: Laboratory Manager
Position Number: 910731
Date: 11/09/2020

Job Purpose:

1. The receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry, presentation for analysis and
dispatch to tertiary centres as appropriate.

2. To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GP’s, medical, nursing and other healthcare
staff.

3. To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and
analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedure.

4. To partake in the 24/7 rota across the DCL department, which will include reception and blood bank
sections, covering a 7 day, 24hr service.

Key Dimensions:

1. The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in all sections of the laboratory
to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective service.
2. The post holder will support the timely processing of patient samples serving all those patients
attending UHP, CCGs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from
other Trusts within the Peninsula.
3. Going forward as UHP Pathology department works to deliver its vision then there will be an
expectation of interdepartmental working across various Pathology departments

Organisational Chart
Consultant Head of Department
Specialist Consultant Pathologist

Laboratory Manager
ATO – Assistant Technical Officer, SATO –
Head Biomedical Scientist
Senior Assistant Technical Officer, HCS –
Healthcare Scientist Section Leader

The post holder will be responsible to Senior Biomedical Scientist

the senior staff in the area where the
post holder is working. Biomedical Scientist

Reception Manager

HCS Assistant/Associate Practitioner/Senior ATO Trainee Biomedical Scientist

Agenda for Change Version 10
Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

ATO

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test
requests.
2. Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send-away samples are packaged and
despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.
3. Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
4. Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and
photocopiers.
5. To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to
use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.
6. To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations
7. Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.
8. Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those
for which the department derives income.
9. Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample
matches that on the request form.
10. To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect
sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP
for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy.
11. Informing patients of the venepuncture procedure to be carried out in a caring reassuring manner that
is aimed at their level of understanding.
12. To undertake work for which they have been trained which may take up to 2 months shadowing a
trained member of staff.
13. To have sufficient knowledge and competence to rotate through all sections of the laboratory as
required.
14. Following SOPs record and inform requestors of rejected samples.
15. Prepare samples for analysis using techniques applicable to the areas of work – this may include
attaching bar code labels, centrifugation, separation and prepare aliquots as required: Inoculate
specimens on to prepared culture media or in to suitable test kits in accordance with SOPs using both
manual and automated technology. Support the technical and medical staff in the Cell Path specimen
dissection area handling tissue samples removed at operations and post mortem. Cut sections from
paraffin processed tissue to the required standard of speed, quality and accuracy.
16. Book test requests into the laboratory computer system
17. To assist in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products and the daily cleaning of
laboratory work surfaces.
18. Assist in performing print runs of reports and their sorting for distribution as necessary. Assist in the
maintenance of both hard copy and computer held reports.
19. To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non-clinical meetings.
20. To participate it the collection, receipt and safe storage of reagents and other supplies.
21. To maintain an adequate supply of clean glassware, make up solutions and collect chemicals from the
various stores as required.
22. Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of diagnostic material..
23. To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
24. To assist with the issuing of consumables to service users as requested e.g. 24hr urine collection
bottles.
25. Respond to telephone enquiries within the area of work from staff in both primary and secondary care,
giving test results (subject to departmental telephone SOPs), advice on sample types required for a
large range of tests, requests for add-on-tests and those for emergency requests.
26. Assist in the general running of specific analysers, equipment or tests.
27. Perform basic maintenance checks as directed.
28. To observe all departmental, Trust, national and European Health & Safety regulations relevant to the
service, ensuring attendance at the annual departmental H&S update. In addition all staff must sign
the departmental H&S policy to acknowledge understanding and compliance.
29. To continually update your knowledge and skills whilst documenting this in your Continual Professional
Development folder.
30. To ensure contemporaneous completion of your induction and training records.
31. To follow Standard Operating Procedures at all times.
Agenda for Change Version 10
Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

32. To attend meetings and training courses as necessary.

33. To attend Statutory and Essential Update Training annually.
34. To attend departmental briefings and/or acquaint yourself with the team brief posted on the
departmental notice boards.
35. To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
36. To participate in an annual IPR and achieve any targets set at this time.
37. Regular participation in the 24/7 rotas for ATO and support staff across the DCL department
38. Whilst participating in this rota identify, prepare, and store patient samples in the relevant locations.
39. Ensure that samples received match work lists, the patient ID is correct before testing and there is
sufficient sample to perform the assay.
To carry out other duties commensurate with the post.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. The post holder will act as a mentor during the induction of new ATO staff.

2. Key working relationships will exist between the post holder and the Head BMS, Reception Manager,
all senior scientific staff & ATO colleagues.

3. Will attend or read the minutes of departmental briefings.

4. Patients, relatives, visitors and all other grades of hospital staff.

OTHER

1. The post holder will be required to participate in the departmental 24/7 rotas .

2. Dress and act in a professional manner at all times.

All Job Holders are required to…

 Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn
and improve.

 Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

 Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate
in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

 Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

 Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All
members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

 Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out
by the Trust.

 Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is
required for the post.

 Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe
systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to
reduce risk.

 Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact
with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role
with children and families.
Agenda for Change Version 10
Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

 Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

 Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote
safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

 Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control
policies and procedures.

 Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the
Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public
records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

All Managers are responsible for…

 Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of
responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.

 Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.

All Heads of Departments are responsible for…

 Ensuring all necessary risk assessments are carried out within their division, Service Line or
department in liaison with relevant sources of specialist support and expertise within the Trust. They
must also ensure that the risk management process is completed appropriately.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may
be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job
description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures &
guidelines.
 Agenda for Change Version 10
Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

 Understanding of need for patient  Knowledge of tests performed and

KNOWLEDGE & confidentiality sent away by the department
EXPERIENCE
 Knowledge of Health & Safety issues  Knowledge of all relevant Health &
Safety legislation and its application
 Use of IT equipment including a keyboard to the Section

 Proven technical skills in a Pathology

laboratory

Please use
QUALIFICATIONS  GCSE to Grade C or above in Science, Maths  Appropriate NVQ –in either Business
& English or equivalent numeracy and literacy and Admin or laboratory based.
skills

 Excellent communication skills, being able to  Good interpersonal skills

APTITUDE & deal with staff at all levels of the organisation
ABILITIES and patients with tact and diplomacy  Working knowledge of PIMS

 Ability to effectively organise and prioritise own  Working knowledge of relevant

work laboratory information management
systems
 Attention to detail

 Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst under

pressure

 Time management skills

 Clear handwriting

 Manual dexterity, including fine manipulation

for protracted periods of the day

 Good telephone manner

 Multi-tasking skills

 Transcription skills

 Numeracy skills

 Meet key targets following training once the

necessary level of experience has been
achieved

 Team worker
DISPOSITION /
ATTITUDE /  Able to work under pressure
MOTIVATION
 Ability to concentrate for long periods

 Willing to undertake in-service training to

achieve the necessary levels of speed and
accuracy
 Agenda for Change Version 10
Author: Claire Ackerman Date: June 2015

 Required to work in a an area of biological risk,

OTHER FACTORS frequently exposed to both biological and
chemical hazards

 Participate in 24/7 service, extended hours

and weekend service

 Required to use VDU for protracted periods

 Flexibility

 Required to handle a wide range of

specimens.

 Required to handle large volumes of

consumables up to a weight of 10kg daily