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Medical Laboratory Assistant (Specimen Reception)
NHS: AfC: Band 2
Main area Blood Sciences Grade NHS: AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 13.75 hours per week (5 week rolling rota) Job ref 409-7602540
Site Whiston Hospital Town Prescot Salary £24,465 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 14/12/2025 23:59
Job overview
This post is based at Whiston Hospital Pathology Department
13.75 hours per week which will include working evenings on a 5 week rolling rota, weekends and bank holidays. Shift times include working 5pm - Midnight, occasional cover working night shifts may also required. This will also include an out of hours on-call service covering Ormskirk District General Hospital.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised, methodical and highly motivated individual.
The responsibilities of this job are to perform basic clerical and reception duties within the laboratory, receive and log specimens into the department and record tests requested on the laboratory computer system.
Working independently although under the technical supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist, to undertake pre-analytical preparation of specimens received and to act as the first point of reference for enquiries into the department.
Main duties of the job
To contribute to the timely delivery of 24hr pathology services to our users. Key duties will involve sample handling and checking, aliquoting, data entry into the Pathology Administration System, sample loading and clerical duties. Ensuring the air tube is working and reporting faults without delay. It also includes dealing with visitors and telephone queries and Pathology Stores.
This post will involve working closely with Consultants and junior medical staff, General Practitioners, Laboratory and other hospital/professional staff both in this organisation and outside agencies and assisting patients with general enquiries both on the telephone and face to face.
You will be expected to participate in the bank holiday and weekend work rotas as required.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Technical
* Receive and barcode all samples and request forms as appropriate
* Enter Patient and Sample details into Laboratory Information System. Data entry of all patient identifiable information, clinical details and request details for all disciplines with the exception of Blood Transfusion into the Pathology (Telepath) system (accuracy is vitally important).
* Sort and deliver bar-coded samples/requests to appropriate department in a timely manner
* Receive requests into Telepath via the order communications systems
* Process samples through pre-analytical stages such as centrifugation, aliquoting into additional tubes, removal of clots and loading onto the analytical track to be analysed.
* Numbering, Telepath entry and loading of Blood Cultures onto the analyser in Microbiology
* Take and communicate as required all telephone enquires
* Prioritise urgent samples for fast tracking
* Process add-on Requests
* To use the Patient Administration System and other systems to check patient details.
* Carry out LIMS housekeeping – manual patient merges in Haematology, Biochemistry and Microbiology once patient information has been checked in the above systems and to notify Blood Transfusion of any mismatches.
* Pneumatic Air Tube- Pathology Reception is responsible for receiving fault calls regarding the air tube that must be dealt with immediately as per policy.
* Purge air tube system and clear simple faults as required
* Report ongoing faults to Facilities Maintenance
* Respond to telephone enquiries from service users, patients, relatives, and departmental colleagues with correct use of telephone and the giving out authorised results from Telepath as required.
* Use of fax, photocopier, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as required.
* Understand and follow storage and stock rotation requirements of relevant stock in various storerooms.
* Distribution of GP orders (including blood forms) to surgeries in a timely manner.
* Ensure that all reports are sorted and distributed to the relevant bodies through internal and external posting systems in a timely and efficient manner.
* Accurate filing and retrieval of reports. Scanning of request forms.
* Work closely with all departments within the Pathology Directorate to ensure that a timely accurate service is delivered.
* Provide cross cover for colleagues as and when required.
* Night rota staff will work in Microbiology including processing Blood Cultures to the point of loading and starting the analyser.
* Any other duties deemed necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department commensurate with the grade.
Workflow Management
* Timely data entry of requests to facilitate maximum efficiency of turnaround times of results.
* Collect samples from wards/departments/Phlebotomists to meet required turnaround times when required by supervisor/manager.
* Maintain good working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork.
* Promote an efficient, courteous telephone manner to our service users.
* Actively participate in departmental meetings.
* Report risks to service such as faulty equipment or unexpected staff shortages to the supervisors or manager as soon as possible.
* Replenish stock of blood bottles as required and prepare and despatch orders to community locations.
* Receive visitors to the laboratory as necessary.
* Flexibility in helping to cover holiday/sickness absence.
* Participate in departmental meetings as required.
* Advise the Supervisor or Biomedical Scientists when consumables are approaching minimum stock levels, or take appropriate action.
* Tidy Reception area when appropriate.
* Decontaminate all work areas – following Standard Operating Procedure.
* Health and Safety – Adhere to Trust and departmental Health & Safety protocols and Fire regulations. Identify risks, and to be aware of risk assessments affecting the workplace. Report clinical incidents to the Blood Sciences Service Lead. Report any defects or required maintenance in building /services to the Blood Sciences Service Lead. Adhere to current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation (COSHH).
* Communication – Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section and inform effectively at hand over. Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate. Ensure effective communication is maintained within the department. Maintain good working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Educated to GCSE level in English and Maths or equivalent qualification/experience
Knowledge and Experience
* Attention to detail and accuracy
* Ability to work with indirect supervision
* Understands the requirement for patient confidentiality
* Ability to work in a team working environment
* Working in a laboratory environment
* Follow standard operating procedures
* Able to prioritise urgent samples, previous samples and sort for distribution in a timely manner
* Previous NHS experience
* Willing and able to learn new skills
Skills
* Flexibility – willingness to alter hours to suit workload needs
* Completion of tasks to point of handover
* Good interpersonal skills
* Remain calm and co-operative under pressure
* Able to handle plasma/serum and other bodily fluids as per protocol
Our Values
* We are Kind
* We are Open
* We are Inclusive
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
We are pleased to announce that our Trust will not accept AI generated applications and will check all applications against AI detection software.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.
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