Job overview
The post holder is expected to work as part of a team, in Virology’s specimen reception, to undertake routine laboratory work. This will include entry of patient details and other data into laboratory information systems, responding to telephone enquiries, pre analytical preparation of samples for testing and general housekeeping duties. Full in-house training and written standard operating procedures will be provided.
The post holder will be expected to participate in a late and weekend shift rota.
The role offered does not include participating in specimen testing nor will be working with testing analyser. This role is not a career entry position for people aiming to become a Biomedical Scientist or to complete an IBMS generic portfolio.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the role are to receive sort and number incoming samples and request forms, to enter details from each specimen and request form into laboratory information systems, to checkand verify patient demographics and some Pre-analytical preparation of specimens. This includes sorting, labelling, centrifugation, separating and aliquoting serum/plasma.
The role also includes to maintain a clean and tidy workstation, fridges, freezers, and storerooms/areas. to ensure safe collection and disposal of waste within allocated working area. to attend to visitors to the department in a professional manner, such as patients, staff, couriers, and other visitors, to deal with telephone calls and queries as directed. The Trust WeCare values shape everything that we do, every single day.
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 2021-2024 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 £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.
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
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.
*PLEASE NOTE – WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE*
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**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**
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. GCSE passes in English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable criteria
2. GCSE standard attained in other science subjects or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Able to undertake VDU work
Desirable criteria
4. Previous computing experience or VDU work
5. Previous experience in answering and dealing with telephone enquiries.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. Good literacy and numeracy, basic computer literacy.
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Able to follow and learn instructions and standard operating procedures.
8. Methodical and organised.
9. Manual dexterity
10. Ability to work on own initiative.
11. Polite, helpful, and confident manner
12. Able to work, reliably and consistently in a busy environment.
13. Good attention to detail. Able to work safely and efficiently in a pressurised environment.
Desirable criteria
14. Good keyboard skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
15. Able to work efficiently with people from different working and cultural backgrounds.
Communications
Essential criteria
16. Able to communicate politely, efficiently and accurately with all service users and staff.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
17. Able to undertake ‘housekeeping duties.
18. Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations.
19. Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with health & safety policies.
20. The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations.
21. Willing to embrace the Trust Values