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Job summary

Main area
Pathology Support Service
Grade
Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week
Job ref
279-7208328-JUN25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Worthing Hospital
Town
Worthing
Salary
£24,169 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Specimen Reception

Band 2

 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. 

 

Job overview

The Pathology Support Service at University Hospitals Sussex is looking to recruit a focused and methodical Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join the Specimen Reception team at Worthing Hospital.

This post is a 30 hour Permanent Position

The successful applicant will be expected to work flexibly between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Sunday; however our core operational hours are currently 11:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday. In addition there is also the requirement to work public holidays on a rota basis.

Main duties of the job

The role includes pre-analytical sample sorting, preparation, data entry, receipt and maintenance of stock, attending to telephone queries from service users and adhering to health & safety responsibilities. You will also be expected to provide support in our Pathology Office which involves interacting with patients, booking appointments and liaising with clinical staff.

You should have good attention to detail, manual dexterity and the ability to follow defined protocols whilst working quickly but effective under pressure.  Experience of manually entering patient information quickly and accurately onto various laboratory computer systems, including ICE and Winpath, would be advantageous.

Working as part of a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s) in
Specimen Reception to provide an efficient and effective pre and post
analytical service to the Blood Science laboratory, in accordance with
the training and operational requirements of the department.
To assist in the receipt, verification and preparation of patient samples,
the data entry of patient and specimen details onto the Pathology IT
system as well as processing stock and consumable requests from
service users. 

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 - 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

Working as part of a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s) in Specimen Reception to provide an efficient and effective pre and post analytical service to the Blood Science laboratory, in accordance with the training and operational requirements of the department.

To assist in the receipt, verification and preparation of patient samples, the data entry of patient and specimen details onto the Pathology IT system as well as processing stock and consumable requests from service users.    

Person specification

Administrative

Essential criteria
  • GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C / Level 5 or above.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience in the NHS.

Information Resources / IT

Essential criteria
  • Proficient and accurate computer skills including data entry and word processing.
  • Knowledge of data protection, data quality and patient confidentiality.

Planning and Organisation

Essential criteria
  • Effective time management skills and able to deal with conflicting or changing priorities.

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken English.

Scientific

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience in Pathology or equivalent laboratory environment.
  • Knowledge of ICE and WinPath Laboratory systems.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Paul Glover
Job title
Deputy Support Services Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01903205111
Additional information

Any questions please contact Paul Glover via email, or on extension 84561

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