Job overview

We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Pathology Admin and Clerical Secretary (Band 4) to join our team on a Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover) at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. This role provides essential PA and administrative support to Pathology Consultants and technical staff, ensuring the smooth running of services across multiple departments. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of communication, organisation, and service delivery, while also mentoring junior staff and contributing to service development.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong interpersonal skills, a keen eye for detail, and a flexible approach to work. You’ll be part of a supportive team that values fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety, and teamwork.

Main duties of the job

Provide PA support to Pathology Consultants and senior staff, including diary management and meeting coordination.

Audio and copy type Pathology reports, post-mortem reports, and correspondence using systems such as WinPath, MModal, and e-Care.

Liaise effectively with internal departments, external clinicians, HM Coroner’s office, and the Pathology Partnership (ESNEFT).

Supervise and mentor Band 3 A&C staff, delegating tasks and supporting training needs.

Contribute to audits and ongoing monitoring of the Pathology service using Excel and Access databases.

Support administrative functions for clinics, including updating patient records and preparing correspondence.

Assist in reviewing and implementing SOPs and policies within the Pathology A&C team.

Ensure mandatory training is up to date and attend team meetings to support service development.

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.