Job overview
We are looking for two Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistants for the Central Specimen Reception Department. This is a part-time permanent position.
The department provides a 24/7 service. The successful candidate will be required to participate in a rotational shift pattern late, weekend and bank holiday and night shifts.
The 2x 0.5 WTE (18.75 hours per week) will be required to cover late shift pattern hours from Monday to Sunday from 16:00. The position will be based at Royal London Hospital.
Cross site working will be required for all roles and the successful applicant will be required to work at any of the NHS Pathology Partnership sites.
The laboratories are UKAS and HCPC accredited. Our commitment to supporting continuing professional development is evidenced by an excellent training record.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to work as part of a team in Central Specimen Reception to undertake routine laboratory work and provide general laboratory assistance. This will include entry of patient details and other data into laboratory information systems, operating laboratory equipment, maintaining and running checks, quality control and troubleshooting on equipment, preparation of reagents, pre-analytical preparation of samples for testing, and general housekeeping duties. The post holder will offer a helpful and professional service to visitors and telephone callers. Full local training and written standard operating procedures will be provided.
We are looking for a candidate with a positive attitude to working in a flexible manner and with the ability to work accurately when under pressure to meet deadlines. The post holder will require a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
The successful candidate should have the ability to follow written protocol, along with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
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
The requirements for this position are English, Maths, IT and Science GCSEs at A-C Level. Previous NHS experience is advantageous. The ability to work with minimal supervision, to be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines is essential.
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)
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
IF THERE IS A CAP ON A VACANCY, PLEASE ADD THE BELOW SENTENCE TO THE ADVERT AS THE FIRST SENTENCE
**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
5. GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent
Desirable criteria
6. A Levels (or equivalent) in science subjects
7. Vocational qualification in a science/healthcare subject (e.g. BTEC, NVQ)
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures
9. Methodical and organised
10. Manual dexterity
Desirable criteria
11. Previous laboratory-based work experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. Good literacy and numeracy
Desirable criteria
13. Knowledge or use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Able to undertake VDU work
15. Good keyboard skills
Desirable criteria
16. Previous computing experience or VDU work
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
17. Ability to work on own initiative
18. Polite, helpful and confident manner
Communications
Essential criteria
19. Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
20. Able to undertake ‘housekeeping duties’
21. Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations
22. Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
23. holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
Desirable criteria
24. 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:
25. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
26. 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.
27. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
28. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or higher.
29. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)