Laboratory Technician Job Description

“Life in all its fullness” John 10:10

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION

Grade: FG Essential qualifications: Diploma level Department: Laboratory

Accountable to: Medical Superintendent Reports to: In-Charge, Laboratory

MAIN AIMS OF THE POST At Kisiizi Hospital we expect the medical management of patients to be of the highest achievable standard and be holistic in nature, characterised by compassion and providing for the physical, socio- economic, psychological and spiritual needs of the people we serve. Kisiizi is committed to continuous improvement in standards of care and to continuous learning for all staff and the hospital as a whole.

Good medical and laboratory practice has its own rewards but is hard work and demanding. The correct and safe use of laboratory equipment is essential. In the following paragraphs we set out what is expected of you. In return, Kisiizi aims to support, encourage and reward those practices to the best standards.

IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS Good clinical care involves teamwork. You are expected to maintain effective working relationships with all other staff and in particular to liaise and cooperate with laboratory, medical, nursing and allied professional staff and other health professionals involved in the care of patients in Kisiizi.

THE DUTIES OF THE POST

PROFESSIONAL As a Laboratory Technician, you are personally accountable for your practice. This means that you are answerable for your actions and omissions. You must observe the Uganda Code of Conduct and Ethics for health Workers and in particular

‘ A health worker shall hold the health, safety and interest of the patient or client to be of first consideration and shall render due respect to each patient or client at all times and in all circumstances’

In addition, you must  Relate to patients without any form of discrimination.  Ensure that laboratory tests are performed carefully, safely and appropriately  Ensure that, when you delegate any work to others, the needs of patients are met. You will work to the highest possible quality assurance standards to ensure lab results are accurate and timely.  Perform your work based on current evidence and best practice.  Know the limits of your professional competence and only undertake duties for which you have been trained and are competent to carry out. You need to show good judgment about seeking help and advice.  Act to identify, minimise and report any risk to patients from any source.  Use every moment of your shift for the benefit of patients or, when time allows, develop your own skills and those of others.  Ensure your own safety and that of your colleagues by careful infection control practice.  You may be required to go on Community outreach clinics to perform lab tests  You may be required to go to Mbarara Regional Blood Transfusion Centre to collect blood packs

Essential competencies  Thorough knowledge of laboratory procedures and safety  Support the In-Charge in accurate stock control monitoring and ordering of lab reagents  Counselling of patients regarding laboratory tests  Support and Supervision of Laboratory Assistants  Ensure accurate collection of data promptly with careful completion of registers and paper work

Control of infection You must take all possible measures to control the spread of infection and abide by hospital procedures.

Responsibility for your own health Your work may expose you to health risks from patients. You must take all necessary steps to protect your own health at work. You must be immunised against Hepatitis B virus.

Recognising and responding to clinical emergencies You must recognise actual or potential emergency situations and act quickly and appropriately.

Audit You have a duty to take part in departmental audit.

Opportunities for health education In the course of your work, you are expected to use the opportunities that arise to offer patients education about their health.

THE DUTIES OF THE POST

PROFESSIONAL As a laboratory technician at Kisiizi Hospital you have professional duties as follows. 1. You will make the care and safety of patients your first concern and act to protect them from risk. 2. You will do everything within your power to achieve the aims of the Kisiizi Hospital Mission Statement and to be committed to continuing improvement in standards. 3. You must respect the views of patients, relatives, other staff and the public. 4. You will promote teamwork and a ‘can do’ approach for finding solutions to problems. 5. You must ensure that information about patients remains confidential. 6. You must be honest and act with integrity. 7. You will safeguard the money and resources of the hospital and deploy the resources available to you in an efficient, effective and timely manner to achieve the best value for money. This particularly relates to stores of lab reagents and equipment. 8. You accept responsibility for your own work. 9. You will ensure that you arrive for work on time and are not absent from the workplace without permission. 10. You must ensure that patients and staff are protected from discrimination. You will ensure that favouritism has no place. 11. You will report complaints, accidents and errors in your area of work promptly, fairly and thoroughly to your in-charge. 12. You must ensure your working environment is safe and know the steps to protect staff from danger. 13. You are responsible for your own professional development and must ensure you hold an up to date license from the Uganda Allied Health Professionals Council. 14. You will ensure that there is no significant delay in patients having their laboratory tests. This may mean working into the evening when the Out-Patient clinics are busy as we do not wish patients to be told to return the following day.

Reporting incidents The care of patients is our primary concern. If you know about accidents or avoidable complications affecting patients (or having the potential to do so) and complaints from patients or their relatives about the care received, you must report them to the Medical Superintendent. Kisiizi Hospital’s attitude to such incidents is that they are an opportunity to learn from mistakes and improve the way we do things. They will be investigated fairly and only used to discipline members of staff if it has been shown that they have seriously neglected their duties.

Safe environment You have a duty to report anything in the environment that could harm the health of patients or staff.

Job appraisal You will participate in regular job appraisals with the In-Charge of the Laboratory which are for your benefit.

EDUCATIONAL You are expected to participate in continuing professional development for your own benefit and contribute to the process for students and others. You will assist the In-Charge of the Laboratory in supporting, supervising and training our Laboratory Assistants.

ALTERING THE JOB DESCRIPTION This job description is intended as a general guide to your duties but cannot cover everything you may be required to do. As circumstances change, you or the Medical Superintendent may wish to change this job description. Whilst you are in post, it can only be done by mutual agreement.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE This post is subject to the Terms and Conditions of service as set by the Board of Governors that are available on request.

04/2014