Job vacancy: Blood Sciences Support Worker, 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton

Job summary

Main area

Blood Sciences - Haematology

Grade

Band 3

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Other

37.5 hours per week (24/7 shift working essential to role)

Job ref

279-7215650-MAY25

Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 11/06/2025 23:59

Blood Sciences Support Worker

Band 3

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Administrative Support:

Acts as the first point of contact for the pathology department. This will
include providing a front facing reception service, whilst answering calls on
the pathology enquiry line. The post holder will be expected to manage
conflicting priorities with diplomacy and be able to answer a range of ad
hoc questions, providing information where necessary and escalating issues
where appropriate.

Provides test results by telephone and in writing, ensuring that results are
provided to staff within standard operating time frames and framework.
These may sometimes be sensitive or distressing therefore the post holder
must be able to act with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy at all times.

Manages patient appointments, liaising with both patients and staff as
appropriate.

Co-ordinates and manages specimen collections liaising with courier
companies, neighbouring departments and other colleagues as appropriate.

Co-ordinates, manages and prioritising samples awaiting analysis.

Ensures that external visitors complete visitor logs and issues badges as
appropriate.

Inputs patient information, test results, sample data and investigation
information into the pathology databases.

Undertakes other routine administrative duties as required, such as,
collating and dispatching pathology reports, maintaining departmental
stock supplies, running errands and assisting lab staff as directed.

Laboratory Support:

Undertakes basic routine maintenance on analysers to ensure correct
functioning according to SOPs.

Performs routine checks on samples before processing for identification,
status and suitability for diagnostic investigations.

Undertakes basic analytical work such as analysing quality control samples
to ensure accuracy and precision.

Performs external quality assurance analysis.

Assists in the referral of samples to external reference laboratories.

Prepares reagents, stock solutions and laboratory disinfectants.

Collates, processes and manages clinical samples in order of priority,
identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors,
missing information etc. as appropriate.

Undertakes initial screening of routine samples as appropriate.

Orders supplementary tests as appropriate, this will include locating
samples, asking questions of the sample as appropriate and providing
further information as required.

Reports and escalates sample anomalies as appropriate. This will include
flagging mislabelled or mislaid specimens with pathology support services
manager/lab staff as appropriate and reporting all test recalls, process
failures and other sample/equipment anomalies.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

NVQ 3 or equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria

Blood Sciences laboratory experience

Scientific knowledge

Essential criteria

Demonstrates knowledge of medical terminology and biomedical investigations.

Communication skills

Essential criteria

Evidence of effective communication Skills

Planning/ organisational

Essential criteria

Good time management skills

IT

Essential criteria

Basic IT skills for data entry for demographic, request & result entry on to Pathology LIMS.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].