Overview
The role is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week) covering a range of shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, as part of the rota. Roles will be based at Heartlands and Queen Elizabeth hospitals, with expectations to work cross-sites and weekends depending on service needs.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to join a professional team and take on a challenging role. Please read the full Job Description and Person Specification.
For further information regarding the vacancy, please contact: Suad Hussain, Specimen Reception Manager, at Suad.Hussain@uhb.nhs.uk
Responsibilities
Specimen Reception operates in a fast-paced, high-output environment across four sites: Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope, and core hours at Solihull. The successful candidate will:
* Perform Team Leader administrative duties including day-to-day line management, sickness monitoring and management, appraisal completion, annual leave approval, ensuring mandatory training compliance, workload allocation and delegation, organising and reallocating work as workload/staffing changes require, reviewing performance, and supporting recruitment panels.
* Plan and organise rotas; manage audits; coordinate and allocate workload to reflect service needs.
* Carry out technical duties: recording specimen details, traceability, updating laboratory information systems, housekeeping, monitoring and recording equipment, disposal of clinical specimens and waste per laboratory protocols, filing and scanning of records, and answering telephone inquiries.
* Sort reports and process samples (e.g., centrifuging) in line with standard operating procedures.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to create an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, can thrive, and feels valued. We aim to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds and provide support for diversity. The Trust is committed to reasonable adjustments for staff with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
Details
Date posted: 10 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 per year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 304-1089707
Job locations: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH
Qualifications
Essential
* Education to GCSE in English and Maths.
Desirable
* GCSE-level qualification in a scientific subject.
Experience
Essential
* Basic scientific knowledge
* Computer knowledge
* Understanding of confidentiality
* Experience of data entry
* Confidence in working with analytical technology
* Previous experience within pathology departments
* Management of a small group of staff
Desirable
* Experience of staffing shifts and e-roster
* Experience with analytical technology and laboratory computer systems
* Experience in staff PDRs and sickness reviews
Additional Criteria
* Excellent telephone manner and ability to communicate results to staff at all levels
* Ability to handle sensitive information and produce accurate, timely work
* Ability to work with staff from various pathology disciplines and across hospital and PCTs
* Supervise a small group of Band 3 MLA staff
* Ability to work with minimal supervision and follow SOPs
* Prioritise workload and plan efficiently; cross-site flexibility
* Computer literacy and keyboard skills; multitasking ability
* Manual handling capability; ability to concentrate for long periods
* Ability to follow written instructions and routine decision making
* Enthusiastic, committed, and able to train Band 3 MLA staff and manage stock
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required to check for previous convictions.
Employer details
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TH
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