Job overview
We are looking for a Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant for the Central Specimen
Reception Department. This is a full-time permanent position.
The department provides a 24/7 service. The successful candidate will be required to
participate in a rotational shift pattern, including early, late, weekend, bank holiday and
night shifts.
The position will be based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich). Cross site working is a
requirement 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:
• Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
• Microbiology and Virology
• 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 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.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent
2. GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent
Desirable criteria
3. A Levels (or equivalent) in science subjects
4. Vocational qualification in a science/healthcare subject (e.g. BTEC, NVQ)
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures
6. Methodical and organised
7. Manual dexterity
Desirable criteria
8. Previous laboratory-based work experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Good literacy and numeracy
Desirable criteria
10. Knowledge or use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Able to undertake VDU work
12. Good keyboard skills
Desirable criteria
13. Previous computing experience or VDU work
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
14. Ability to work on own initiative Polite, helpful and confident manner
Communication
Essential criteria
15. Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
16. Able to undertake ‘housekeeping duties’
17. Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations
18. Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
19. The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
Desirable criteria
20. Previous NHS experience
Visa Sponsorship Information
This role is subject to UK immigration requirements. Where sponsorship is required, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa in accordance with current UK Visas and Immigration rules, including any salary, qualification, and role-specific requirements applicable at the time of appointment. Candidates who require sponsorship will only be considered where the post is eligible and where all sponsorship criteria can be met. Evidence of the right to work in the UK will be required before appointment. 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.