Job summary
We are recruiting for a Quality Control Laboratory Assistant (Reception/Technical) who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
The Quality Control Department at Lister hospital is a specialist unit providing pharmaceutical and scientific services to NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers and commercial organisations.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable, and conscientious individual who has a keen eye for detail and a strong work ethic.
Please note that this is a non-clinical role and you will not be in contact with patients or any patient specimens but you will work in laboratory environment.
Our laboratory assistant role supports various functions of the Quality Control laboratories. You will need to be organised in order to meet deadlines and able to prioritise your workload in a busy environment. Training for this role will be provided and on-going support from senior staff will be available.
Our Values are Include, Respect and Improve. It is important that you understand and refer to our values during your recruitment process and beyond!
Main duties of the job
You will deal with customers and health professionals on a first line contact/response basis. The role includes various duties such as answering phone calls, receipt and logging of samples, processing of documentation, samples and products and their dispatch to customers.
You will also undertake physical, chemical, and microbiological testing and microbiology media preparation.
Working hours are 08:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday but note that occasional out of hours and weekend work will be required.
About us
At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide & our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals:
1. The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
2. New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
3. Hertford County, Hertford
4. Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, or a life event, such as menopause - so that we can consider your application fairly & to get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
5. Relevant NVQ 2 or equivalent level of relevant work experience.
Previous Experience
Essential
6. Previous relevant experience
Desirable
7. Experience of working in a science based laboratory environment
Skills
Essential
8. Good verbal and written communication skills communication skills (including legible hand writing) to ensure clear communication with all staff and customers.
9. High level of customer care awareness and good interpersonal skills (including a very clear and courteous telephone manner)
10. Good IT skills (use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Data bases)
11. Office procedures: data entry, document filing and archiving, use of office equipment (computer, photocopier, scanner etc.)
12. Ability to work accurately and concentrate on repetitive tasks being undertaken.
13. Good literacy and numeracy skills
Knowledge
Essential
14. Understanding of confidentiality and quality of service issues
15. Understanding of Health & Safety at Work
Desirable
16. Understanding of COSHH Regulations