Job overview
**Internal Applicants Only**
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.
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.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - 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 & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Administrative Support:
Acts as the first point of contact for the pathology department. This will
include providing a front facing reception service, whilst answering calls on
the pathology enquiry line. The post holder will be expected to manage
conflicting priorities with diplomacy and be able to answer a range of ad
hoc questions, providing information where necessary and escalating issues
where appropriate.
Provides test results by telephone and in writing, ensuring that results are
provided to staff within standard operating time frames and framework.
These may sometimes be sensitive or distressing therefore the post holder
must be able to act with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy at all times.
Manages patient appointments, liaising with both patients and staff as
appropriate.
Co-ordinates and manages specimen collections liaising with courier
companies, 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 as
appropriate.
Inputs patient information, test results, sample data and investigation
information into the pathology databases.
Undertakes other routine administrative duties as required, such as,
collating and dispatching pathology reports, maintaining departmental
stock supplies, running errands and assisting lab staff as directed.
Laboratory Support:
Undertakes basic routine maintenance on analysers to ensure correct
functioning 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 samples
to 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 locating
samples, asking questions of the sample as appropriate and providing
further information as required.
Reports and escalates sample anomalies as appropriate. This will include
flagging mislabelled or mislaid specimens with pathology support services
manager/lab staff as appropriate and reporting all test recalls, process
failures and other sample/equipment anomalies.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. NVQ 3 or equivalent.
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Blood Sciences laboratory experience
Scientific knowledge
Essential criteria
3. Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology and biomedical investigations.
Communication skills
Essential criteria
4. Evidence of effective communication Skills
Desirable criteria
5. Evidence of working with an NHS laboratory team
Planning/ organisational
Essential criteria
6. Good time management skills
7. Good organisational skills
IT
Essential criteria
8. Basic IT skills for data entry for demographic, request & result entry on to Pathology LIMS.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
9. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
10. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications