Job summary The University Hospital of North Midlands, Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire NHS Trusts are working collaboratively to form a Pathology network in line with a NHSI directive. This is a MLA Band 3 post based at Leighton Hospital. Please note this vacancy cannot offer sponsorship. This vacancy cannot offer supporting the BMS Registration portfolio Main duties of the job The post will be based in Central Specimen Reception Leighton Hospital This is an interesting and important job, with training provided in pre-analytic processing of samples. About us University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust. At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve. Date posted 11 February 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 205-6987400 Job locations Leighton Hospital Middlewich Road Crewe CW1 4QJ Job description Job responsibilities Assist in the supervision and management of the Specimen Reception Service providing an effective sample reception and distribution service for the Pathology laboratory. Assist the Lead BMS for Biochemistry & CSR, through the Specimen Reception Manager and CSR Supervisor in the management of the Specimen Reception MLA staff, responsible for providing day to day supervision of staff in this area. To identify and match samples to request cards, ensuring adequate sample labelling in line with Trust Policy, followed by entry of patient details and test request onto laboratory computer. Pre-analytical preparation of samples and distribution of samples to the appropriate Pathology departments in a timely manner. Liaise and work co-operatively with GP practices, members of the public, porters, couriers, drivers, other staff in specimen reception, Pathology, the Trust and other hospitals. Respond to incoming telephone calls to the department, with a polite, helpful and professional manner and to deal with straight forward enquiries. Adhere strictly to the departmental telephone policy/procedure. Re-direct incoming calls throughout Pathology as appropriate. Ensure the working environment complies with current laboratory Health & Safety standards Comply with laboratory Health & Safety code of practice when handling biological specimens. Prepared to work flexibly, including participation in a shift pattern which includes early, late, weekend, and Bank Holiday shifts and other out of hours rotas as required. Supervisory Responsibilities: To assist the CSR Supervisor in the management of Specimen Reception: Responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of staff in planning and prioritising the workload and the day-to-day management of staff, providing effective supervision to manage the department workload to deliver an efficient and high-quality service To be the first point of contact for Band 2 MLA staff in CSR to resolve day to day issues, escalating as appropriate to CSR Supervisor. Assist in the training of all Specimen Reception staff (sample handling, numbering, demographic entry). Ensure all training documentation is up to date and assist members of staff receive adequate core skills training and complete Statutory & Mandatory Training. Assist in the Induction of new staff. Report any staffing issues to CSR Supervisor /Manager Carry out appraisals / PDRs for Specimen Reception staff. Assist with and carry out audit and risk management duties including incident and Corrective Action/Preventative Action (CAPA) reporting. Assist with recruitment and selection of new staff. Assist in the development of the Specimen Reception service, proposing changes to procedures and policies that could improve efficiency and effectiveness Ensure all agency staff receive adequate training in line with departmental and Trust polices. To ensure the implementation of agreed safety procedures. Report / escalate breakdowns of pre-analytical equipment /scanners/printers/centrifuges. Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing ofsamples for research projects. Undertake audit of the service as necessary to highlight process deficiencies. Job description Job responsibilities Assist in the supervision and management of the Specimen Reception Service providing an effective sample reception and distribution service for the Pathology laboratory. Assist the Lead BMS for Biochemistry & CSR, through the Specimen Reception Manager and CSR Supervisor in the management of the Specimen Reception MLA staff, responsible for providing day to day supervision of staff in this area. To identify and match samples to request cards, ensuring adequate sample labelling in line with Trust Policy, followed by entry of patient details and test request onto laboratory computer. Pre-analytical preparation of samples and distribution of samples to the appropriate Pathology departments in a timely manner. Liaise and work co-operatively with GP practices, members of the public, porters, couriers, drivers, other staff in specimen reception, Pathology, the Trust and other hospitals. Respond to incoming telephone calls to the department, with a polite, helpful and professional manner and to deal with straight forward enquiries. Adhere strictly to the departmental telephone policy/procedure. Re-direct incoming calls throughout Pathology as appropriate. Ensure the working environment complies with current laboratory Health & Safety standards Comply with laboratory Health & Safety code of practice when handling biological specimens. Prepared to work flexibly, including participation in a shift pattern which includes early, late, weekend, and Bank Holiday shifts and other out of hours rotas as required. Supervisory Responsibilities: To assist the CSR Supervisor in the management of Specimen Reception: Responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of staff in planning and prioritising the workload and the day-to-day management of staff, providing effective supervision to manage the department workload to deliver an efficient and high-quality service To be the first point of contact for Band 2 MLA staff in CSR to resolve day to day issues, escalating as appropriate to CSR Supervisor. Assist in the training of all Specimen Reception staff (sample handling, numbering, demographic entry). Ensure all training documentation is up to date and assist members of staff receive adequate core skills training and complete Statutory & Mandatory Training. Assist in the Induction of new staff. Report any staffing issues to CSR Supervisor /Manager Carry out appraisals / PDRs for Specimen Reception staff. Assist with and carry out audit and risk management duties including incident and Corrective Action/Preventative Action (CAPA) reporting. Assist with recruitment and selection of new staff. Assist in the development of the Specimen Reception service, proposing changes to procedures and policies that could improve efficiency and effectiveness Ensure all agency staff receive adequate training in line with departmental and Trust polices. To ensure the implementation of agreed safety procedures. Report / escalate breakdowns of pre-analytical equipment /scanners/printers/centrifuges. Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing ofsamples for research projects. Undertake audit of the service as necessary to highlight process deficiencies. Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience Essential Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need Excellent written and communication skills Experience of Data Entry Excellent keyboard skills and attention to detail Experience of supervising a team Desirable Able to utilise initiative to solve problems, motivate a team and develop the service Ability to receive and prepare specimens / deliveries for storage, analysis and transport Essential Qualifications Essential Experience and/or qualifications in NHS Specimen Reception Laboratory Knowledge and experience of healthcare science duties to NVQ level 3 (2 A levels) plus additional theoretical or applied Desirable Certificate of Achievement part 1 & 2 Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience Essential Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need Excellent written and communication skills Experience of Data Entry Excellent keyboard skills and attention to detail Experience of supervising a team Desirable Able to utilise initiative to solve problems, motivate a team and develop the service Ability to receive and prepare specimens / deliveries for storage, analysis and transport Essential Qualifications Essential Experience and/or qualifications in NHS Specimen Reception Laboratory Knowledge and experience of healthcare science duties to NVQ level 3 (2 A levels) plus additional theoretical or applied Desirable Certificate of Achievement part 1 & 2 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust Address Leighton Hospital Middlewich Road Crewe CW1 4QJ Employer's website https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)