Job summary Applications are invited from dynamic, motivated, reliable and organised candidates with NHS laboratory experience, for a Blood Sciences Support Worker Higher Level post within the Blood Sciences laboratories within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and at the Princess Royal Hospital in Hayward's Heath. The post would suit careful and accurate individuals who would work under pressure helping to provide a service that is vital to the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the hospital and surrounding community. The ability to communicate well is essential. IT skills including data input skills are an integral part of the role; previous laboratory is desirable but not essential. There is a requirement to work nights to support the 24/7 laboratory out of hours service and work on both Hospital sites. The Blood Sciences Department includes Routine Haematology, Coagulation, Chemistry Automation and Blood transfusion. The prospective candidate will be required to rotate through each area to gain competency for the 24/7 within the department. Major investment is ongoing within the Trust and with the building of the Teaching, Trauma and Tertiary care centre over the next few years, which will reinforce the Trust as a key player in South East England. The Trust is also engaged actively developing regional networks. A bank role may be considered. Main duties of the job University Hospitals Sussex is a newly formed NHS Foundation Trust consisting of Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Western Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. The department provides a 24/7 service. Routine opening hours are between 08.30 - 17.30 and 09.00 - 13.00 Saturdays, dependent on site.Working hours are between 06:00-20:00 Monday to Fridays, as covered by Agenda for Change. Outside of these hours a 24/7 shift system operates in which the post-holder is required to participate. The post holder will be required to work on both Hospital sites(RSCH and PRH) and perform a range of tasks, to assist in the provision of an efficient and smoothly running Blood Sciences service. This post is a dual role, combining the administrative aspect of a pathology support worker, such as manning the reception desk and processing and handling blood samples with basic laboratory support work such as performing standard tests and undertaking routine analytical and diagnostic work under supervision. The post holder will be required to manage both of these roles as part of their duties, acting as a true 'support' function of the Blood Sciences team. About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in ourOutstanding 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. Date posted 31 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 279-6944147-JAN25 Job locations Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton BN2 5BE Job description Job responsibilities Administrative Support: Acts as the first point of contact for the pathology department. This willinclude providing a front facing reception service, whilst answering calls onthe pathology enquiry line. The post holder will be expected to manageconflicting priorities with diplomacy and be able to answer a range of adhoc questions, providing information where necessary and escalating issueswhere appropriate. Provides test results by telephone and in writing, ensuring that results areprovided to staff within standard operating time frames and framework.These may sometimes be sensitive or distressing therefore the post holdermust be able to act with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy at all times. Manages patient appointments, liaising with both patients and staff asappropriate. Co-ordinates and manages specimen collections liaising with couriercompanies, neighbouring departments and other colleagues as appropriate. Co-ordinates, manages and prioritising samples awaiting analysis. Ensures that external visitors complete visitor logs and issues badges asappropriate. Inputs patient information, test results, sample data and investigationinformation into the pathology databases. Undertakes other routine administrative duties as required, such as,collating and dispatching pathology reports, maintaining departmentalstock supplies, running errands and assisting lab staff as directed. Laboratory Support: Undertakes basic routine maintenance on analysers to ensure correctfunctioning according to SOPs. Performs routine checks on samples before processing for identification,status and suitability for diagnostic investigations. Undertakes basic analytical work such as analysing quality control samplesto ensure accuracy and precision. Performs external quality assurance analysis. Assists in the referral of samples to external reference laboratories. Prepares reagents, stock solutions and laboratory disinfectants. Collates, processes and manages clinical samples in order of priority,identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors,missing information etc. as appropriate. Undertakes initial screening of routine samples as appropriate. Orders supplementary tests as appropriate, this will include locatingsamples, asking questions of the sample as appropriate and providingfurther information as required. Reports and escalates sample anomalies as appropriate. This will includeflagging mislabelled or mislaid specimens with pathology support servicesmanager/lab staff as appropriate and reporting all test recalls, processfailures and other sample/equipment anomalies. Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details. Job description Job responsibilities Administrative Support: Acts as the first point of contact for the pathology department. This willinclude providing a front facing reception service, whilst answering calls onthe pathology enquiry line. The post holder will be expected to manageconflicting priorities with diplomacy and be able to answer a range of adhoc questions, providing information where necessary and escalating issueswhere appropriate. Provides test results by telephone and in writing, ensuring that results areprovided to staff within standard operating time frames and framework.These may sometimes be sensitive or distressing therefore the post holdermust be able to act with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy at all times. Manages patient appointments, liaising with both patients and staff asappropriate. Co-ordinates and manages specimen collections liaising with couriercompanies, neighbouring departments and other colleagues as appropriate. Co-ordinates, manages and prioritising samples awaiting analysis. Ensures that external visitors complete visitor logs and issues badges asappropriate. Inputs patient information, test results, sample data and investigationinformation into the pathology databases. Undertakes other routine administrative duties as required, such as,collating and dispatching pathology reports, maintaining departmentalstock supplies, running errands and assisting lab staff as directed. Laboratory Support: Undertakes basic routine maintenance on analysers to ensure correctfunctioning according to SOPs. Performs routine checks on samples before processing for identification,status and suitability for diagnostic investigations. Undertakes basic analytical work such as analysing quality control samplesto ensure accuracy and precision. Performs external quality assurance analysis. Assists in the referral of samples to external reference laboratories. Prepares reagents, stock solutions and laboratory disinfectants. Collates, processes and manages clinical samples in order of priority,identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors,missing information etc. as appropriate. Undertakes initial screening of routine samples as appropriate. Orders supplementary tests as appropriate, this will include locatingsamples, asking questions of the sample as appropriate and providingfurther information as required. Reports and escalates sample anomalies as appropriate. This will includeflagging mislabelled or mislaid specimens with pathology support servicesmanager/lab staff as appropriate and reporting all test recalls, processfailures and other sample/equipment anomalies. Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details. Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3 or equivalent. Experience Essential Blood Sciences laboratory experience Scientific knowledge Essential Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology and biomedical investigations. Communication skills Essential Evidence of effective communication Skills Planning/ organisational Essential Good time management skills IT Essential Basic IT skills for data entry for demographic, request & result entry on to Pathology LIMS. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having championed diversity in previous Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3 or equivalent. Experience Essential Blood Sciences laboratory experience Scientific knowledge Essential Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology and biomedical investigations. Communication skills Essential Evidence of effective communication Skills Planning/ organisational Essential Good time management skills IT Essential Basic IT skills for data entry for demographic, request & result entry on to Pathology LIMS. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential Evidence of having championed diversity in previous Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) Address Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton BN2 5BE Employer's website https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)