Pathology Assistant - Specimen Reception - EDGH (Evenings)

Job description

Pathology Assistant - Specimen Reception - EDGH (Evenings)Specimen reception is looking for two new team members to support evening working. These posts are 16:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday.

We ensure every sample sent to pathology is checked, registered and labelled correctly before going into our laboratories for testing. We receive thousands of samples every day from wards, community sites and GP practices and work to exacting ISO standards for the safety of our patients.

Hospital workflow is steady throughout the day and GP bloods start arriving early afternoon, continuing into the evening. Our shift patterns match this workflow with more of us on in the afternoon and evening ensuring that every sample is processed by the laboratory the day it is taken. There will be bursts of activity as samples arrive from across East Sussex needing to be unpacked, followed by data entry before taking the samples into the labs. Pathology runs 365 days a year and our shifts reflect this.

This is not a laboratory trainee post.

The skills required for specimen reception are very much administration and not clinical or scientific but we do work very closely with our Biomedical Scientist colleagues in ensuring safe and correct management of patient samples. Attention to detail and computer skills are key. Our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is quite unlike any other Hospital system but these skills can be taught as part of our competency program so no prior clinical knowledge is required.

Main duties of the jobSpecimen Reception Pathology Assistants support the work of the laboratory and Biomedical Scientists (BMS) by carrying out non-interpretative laboratory procedures. A significant part of this role is data entry using the laboratory computer system, correctly identify patient's details and handling of samples of a potentially hazardous nature.

Typical duties are unpacking, sorting and booking in samples, packing specimens to send away to referral laboratories, preparing specimens for testing, performing simple analytical procedures and some more general tasks of this nature.

About usA wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. Staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

Person SpecificationExperience

Knowledge of and commitment to healthcare

Accepts responsibility whilst recognising limits.

Experience in Pathology laboratory techniques.

Skills

Ability to perform delicate work to a high standard

Good communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and non-verbal

Good Computer Skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Capable of working with minimal supervision

Capable of working under pressure and in difficult working environments

Ability to concentrate

Ability to prioritise work own work load

Good knowledge of relevant laboratory techniques as required for staff in this post

Good knowledge of relevant health & safety issues

Ability to train inexperienced staff

Qualifications

Good general education to GCSE level including English and Maths

NVQ 3 level qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience and knowledge

Completion of NVQ level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support.

Completion of formal one year Laboratory Training and Assessment Programme

Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Eastbourne

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

21-05-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English