Job Overview
We are looking for self‑motivated individuals who are both flexible and versatile in their approach to work and join our excellent and friendly Pathology Reception team. You must be able to work well under pressure and in challenging conditions. You will be a strong team player with good interpersonal skills and will possess a positive attitude and be constructive toward change.
The post involves the reception of people and pathology samples, sample sorting and handling, data entry and communication of pathology reports. All post holders are expected to have a good telephone manner and customer skills, excellent communication skills, clear and legible handwriting, be able to perform data entry consistently and have an understanding of medical terminology and biomedical investigation. Post holders will fully participate in the extended weekday, weekend and bank holiday rotas.
We provide full time vacancies with shifts between the hours of 8:00 and 20:00, Monday – Sunday, with some bank holiday working included. You must have excellent keyboard skills, adaptability and a capacity for processing information quickly and accurately. You must also be willing to show a commitment to the ever‑changing demands of the NHS.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Scientific & Analytical
- Receive, sort and process a substantial quantity of clinical samples, identifying and resolving problems such as leaking samples, labelling errors, missing information, etc.
- Perform substantial amounts of accurate data input on computers for prolonged periods of time of patient information and investigations requested by hospital clinical staff and GPs.
- Maintain attention to accuracy at all times during data input and labelling of samples.
- Follow standard operating procedures (SOP) at all times.
- Understand the analytical work that will be undertaken and the urgency of requests; prioritise work accordingly.
- Judge whether samples are suitable for testing and take appropriate action.
- Ensure the system for phoning results is adhered to.
- Answer calls on the Pathology enquiry line on a rota basis, giving results, information and advice within competency.
- Take significant numbers of requests for supplementary tests, find the appropriate sample and order the test(s), contacting the requestor about any issues this may cause.
Supervisory & Management
- Undertake training as appraisee and participate in annual and six‑monthly review.
- May participate in overtime arrangements when assessed as competent to do so.
- Book leave in accordance with departmental policy.
- Report personal absence to a senior member of staff, according to trust policy.
- Be aware of and understand trust policies for grievance, discipline and capability.
- Maintain awareness of changes and developments in the section and other departments within Pathology.
- Act as the first point of contact for all of Pathology, dealing with a wide range of enquiries while maintaining confidentiality; inform appropriate staff that people have arrived.
- Participate in the staff questionnaire and feed comments up through the management system.
- Communicate with patients and staff on appointments, specimen collections, procedures for samples pre‑analysis, etc.
- Ensure that results are not given inappropriately to patients, explaining why when necessary.
- Ensure that external visitors complete visitor logs and issue badges as appropriate.
- Issue results in accordance with departmental SOPs.
- Collate, envelope and dispatch pathology reports.
- Co‑operate with other staff within the Pathology department to maximise the use of resources.
- Attend meetings as directed.
Education & Training
- Support competency training for junior staff in cooperation with the section trainers.
- Be responsible for own personal development.
- Attend all courses as directed.
- Attend all mandatory and statutory training courses as directed.
Information Management & Technology
- Work within SOPs and policies to ensure high‑quality data and maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases, recognising data quality problems and bringing them to the attention of senior staff.
- Attend training on the use of display screen equipment and ensure that working practices comply.
- Report any non‑functional hardware to senior staff.
- Use the laboratory information management system according to authorised protocols.
- Use the quality management system for read‑only access.
- Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
- Use resources efficiently and cost‑effectively.
- Sign for deliveries and inform store staff of large deliveries.
- Report low level of supplies appropriately to ensure continuous supply.
- Ensure that stocks are stored appropriately.
- Use equipment safely, taking into account its complexity, limitations and value.
Clinical Audit and Quality Management
- Assist with data collection for audits as directed.
- Be aware of all types of documentation within the laboratory organisation.
Health & Safety
- Work within all health and safety policies in a safe manner, recognising hazards within the workplace and applying agreed precautionary measures.
- Be mindful of duties towards colleagues, visitors and patients in maintaining a safe environment and safe working practices; report any defects noticed.
- Apply knowledge from training in display screen equipment, personal protective equipment and manual handling to own work practices.
- Apply knowledge from fire safety training to ensure safety for self and others; comply with all fire procedures as directed.
- Understand the implications of COSHH and risk assessment documentation and work within defined control measures at all times.
- Maintain awareness of all emergency and major incident procedures, and act accordingly in the event of an incident.
- Understand and adhere to trust policies for clinical waste disposal.
- Understand the reporting system for clinical incident reporting and use it appropriately.
Other Role‑Specific Duties
- Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor as required by the service.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.
- Good standard of education including English and Mathematics.
- Computer literate, IT and keyboard skills.
- Previous experience in the NHS.
- Understanding or experience of Pathology services.
Qualifications and Experience
- Good standard of education including English and Mathematics.
- Computer literacy, IT and keyboard skills.
- Previous experience in the NHS.
- Understanding or experience of Pathology services.
Skills
- Able to adhere to departmental policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Knowledge of data protection, data quality and patient confidentiality.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at the time of application.
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.
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