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Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen Reception
Band 2
Main area: Pathology Support Service
Grade: Band 2
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 279-7044321-MAR25
Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: St Richards Hospital
Town: Chichester
Salary: £23,615 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 10/04/2025 23:59
About our Trust
At UHSussex, we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented, and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff, which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others, we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex, you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
The Pathology Support Service at University Hospitals Sussex is looking to recruit a focused and methodical Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join the Specimen Reception team at St Richards Hospital.
The successful applicant will be expected to work flexibly between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Sunday; however, our core operational hours are currently 11:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday. In addition, there is also the requirement to work public holidays on a rota basis.
Main duties of the job
The role includes pre-analytical sample sorting, preparation, data entry, receipt and maintenance of stock, attending to telephone queries from service users, and adhering to health & safety responsibilities. You will also be expected to provide support in our Pathology Office, which involves interacting with patients, booking appointments, and liaising with clinical staff.
You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to follow defined protocols whilst working quickly but effectively under pressure. Experience of manually entering patient information quickly and accurately onto various laboratory computer systems, including ICE and Winpath, would be advantageous.
Working as part of a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s) in Specimen Reception to provide an efficient and effective pre and post-analytical service to the Blood Science laboratory, in accordance with the training and operational requirements of the department. To assist in the receipt, verification, and preparation of patient samples, the data entry of patient and specimen details onto the Pathology IT system, as well as processing stock and consumable requests from service users.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff, which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others, we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex, you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Working as part of a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s) in Specimen Reception to provide an efficient and effective pre and post-analytical service to the Blood Science laboratory, in accordance with the training and operational requirements of the department.
To assist in the receipt, verification, and preparation of patient samples, the data entry of patient and specimen details onto the Pathology IT system, as well as processing stock and consumable requests from service users.
Person specification
Administrative
* GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C / Level 5 or above.
* Previous experience in the NHS.
* Experience using the Trusts PAS system (CareFlow).
Information Resources / IT
* Proficient and accurate computer skills including data entry and word processing.
* Knowledge of data protection, data quality, and patient confidentiality.
Planning and Organisation
* Effective time management skills and able to deal with conflicting or changing priorities.
Communication and Relationship Skills
* Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken English.
Scientific
* Previous experience in Pathology or equivalent laboratory environment.
* Knowledge of ICE and WinPath Laboratory systems.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles.
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for applicants:
Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the manager's discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Name: Alison Jones
Job title: Patient and Specimen Reception Team Leader
Email address: alison.jones9@nhs.net
Telephone number: 01243 788122
Additional information: Ext: 33600
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