Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology Support Service
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 15 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7280467SRH-SEP25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Richard's Hospital
- Town
- Chichester
- Salary
- £24,465 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading
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.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:
https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
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 St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.
Working as part of a large and diverse team of support staff 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.
This post is a Permanent Position, 15 Hours Per Week
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 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.
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 (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & 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, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & 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 & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
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.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison Jones or Jordan Reed
- Job title
- Pathology Support Service Managers
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07979701429
- Additional information
For more information or for an informal discussion about this vacancy please contact the senior management team using the email address below, or telephone one of the following individuals directly;
Alison Jones, Patient & Specimen Reception Team Leader - Ext 33600.
Jordan Reed, Head of Pathology Support Services - 07979701429
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