Job overview
The post holder is expected to work in the Virology laboratories, as part of a team supporting healthcare scientists and routine laboratory work. The role includes entry of patient details and other data into laboratory information systems, responding to telephone enquiries, pre analytical preparation of samples for testing, testing analyser's maintenance
and general housekeeping duties. Full in-house training and written standard operating procedures will be provided.
The post holder will be expected to participate in a late and weekend shift rota.
Note that this role is not a career entry position for people aiming to become a Biomedical Scientist or to complete an IBMS generic portfolio.
Main duties of the job
The main purpose this role is to support the routine diagnostic
testing and healthcare scientists in Virology.
Among others, the role includes the following duties:
Sample receipt and registration into the laboratory
information systems.
Pre-analytical preparation of specimens. Sorting, labeling, centrifugation,
separating and aliquoting of serum/plasma, stools, urines and other biological specimens.
Storing of specimens, post testing.
To receive, unpack, store and maintain reagents and deliveries.
To routinely perform maintenance tasks on testing analysers.
To maintain a clean and tidy
Working for our organisation
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.
The Pathology Partnership was formed in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2024 the Partnership undertook a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories, underpinned by a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and single Quality Management System (QMS).
The Partnership has a main hub laboratory at the Royal London Hospital and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at the six other hospital sites served by the Partnership.
The Partnership has three operational divisions:
1. Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
2. Microbiology and Virology
3. Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics
The 2024/25 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £121m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 860 WTE.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the Pathology Partnership and Barts Health at this band
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
**We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date, once a sufficient number of applications has been received and we regret that we are unable to provide notification if your application is unsuccessful**
*PLEASE NOTE – WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE*
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post -
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
4. GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable criteria
5. GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Experience of undertaking computer workstation work and data entry.
7. Experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries.
8. Experience of working in a team.
Desirable criteria
9. Work experience in health sector
Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Good literacy and numeracy, basic computer literacy
11. Awareness of Pathology laboratory diagnostics.
12. Awareness of health and safety.
13. Awareness of data protection / confidentiality.
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures.
15. Methodical organised and efficient.
16. Manual dexterity
17. Ability to work on own initiative.
18. Polite, helpful, and confident manner
19. Able to work, reliably and consistently in a busy environment.
20. Good attention to detail.
Desirable criteria
21. Good keyboard skills.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
22. Adaptable and flexible. Collaborative and accountable
Communications
Essential criteria
23. Able to communicate effectively in a busy environment.
Desirable criteria
24. Able to communicate effectively in a multiskilled working environment
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
25. Able to undertake ‘housekeeping duties’.
26. Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations.
27. Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with health & safety policies.
28. The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations.
29. Reliable, responsible person.
30. Must be able to participate in early, late, weekend and Bank Holiday shifts
31. Adaptable and flexible.
Desirable criteria
32. Previous NHS experience
**Visa Sponsorship Information**
Recent changes to UK immigration policy on the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa could mean that this role is not eligible for sponsorship or that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Sponsorship can only be offered if this post and any individual offered employment meet all the Home Office’s requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme.
If you are applying from outside the UK or will require sponsorship, please mention this clearly in your application.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the following conditions must be met:
33. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
34. Salary threshold: The role must meet the minimum salary set by the Home Office. Please note that for roles employed under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, the High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) is not included when calculating the basic salary for the purposes of sponsorship.
35. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
36. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or higher.
37. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)