Chapter 1 · Qualification and job descriptions

Every position in the laboratory must have a written job description specifying required qualifications, experience, and responsibilities. Newly appointed staff must not work unsupervised until their competence has been assessed. Authorisation to perform specific examinations must be documented. This applies to all staff including trainees, locums, and contract workers.

Practical example

A new biomedical scientist joins the haematology section. Good practice: The section head confirms the staff member holds the required qualification, assigns a supervisor, and does not allow the new staff member to authorise results until competency assessment is complete. Poor practice: The new staff member is put on shift alone on their second day because the section is short-staffed — this is a serious risk and a nonconformity.

What this means for your practice: No new staff member may work unsupervised until competency is formally assessed and documented. Being ‘experienced’ is not the same as being assessed as competent in this laboratory.