Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekly shift pattern covering 7days a week)
- Job ref
- 418-DTO7930-SJ
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bedford Hospital
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- £22,816 - £24,336 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/07/2024 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/07/2024
Employer heading
Specimen Reception Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
An opportunity exists for a Specimen Reception Assistant to join the Specimen Reception team of dedicated enthusiastic staff in the Pathology Department at Bedford Hospital site. The successful candidate will assist the department in receiving, sorting and distributing Trust and community samples to the appropriate departments.
The department is UKAS accredited.
Every encouragement will be given with participation in Continual Personal Development through onsite training and attendance at suitable external events alongside gaining valuable experience working in a busy routine Pathology Department.
The successful applicants will be required to work 37.5 hrs per week (averaged over a 12 week period) on a 7 day rota, after training and acquiring competency in the required tasks.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be expected to
- Receive and dispatch samples to appropriate laboratories.
- Sort and label specimens
- Undertake accurate and precise data entry on laboratory computer system which requires frequent periods of concentration.
- Maintain, process and distribute orders of consumables for GP surgeries
- File and distribute patient reports.
- Organisation of personal workload
- Handle telephone enquiries from service users and where required communicate test results which may be of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
- Participate in mentoring guidance and training of inexperienced/new staff when required.
- Effectively communicate with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.
- Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics and other departments within Pathology.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a reception service within the Department of Pathology. This role will provide an efficient service to the hospital users and General Practitioners.
The Primary function of Specimen Reception is to support the laboratory services. in the receipt and checking of specimens, entry of patient and sample details into the laboratory information system and answering general telephone enquiries.
The staff working within the department will be expected to participate in the department’s extended working day and weekend working arrangements.
To undertake the reception, identification and processing of pathological samples in the Specimen Reception.
Sorting and labelling of specimens.
Undertake accurate and precise data entry on laboratory computer system which requires frequent periods of concentration.
Maintenance of stores.
To ensure that GP consumable orders are completed and distributed to GP surgeries.
Receive and dispatch samples to referral laboratories for the Sendaway teams.
Liaison with the courier drivers.
To report any problems or difficulties encountered in the performance of his/her duties immediately.
To bring to the attention of the CSR Manager any problems or complaint.
To comply at all times with any regulation issued by the Trust, especially those governing Health & Safety at Work, and to ensure that any defects which may affect safety at work are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager.
Ensure laboratory record keeping is accurate and in compliance with accreditation standards.
Participate in mentoring, guidance and knowledge transfer amongst inexperienced BMS and MLA staff as and when required.
Effectively communicate with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.
Handle telephone enquiries from Service Users.
Where appropriate, effectively communicate laboratory results which may be of a complex and/or sensitive nature to service users as per departmental protocol.
Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics and other departments within Pathology.
Use the laboratory information system according to protocols.
Use information systems, specialist and general software, in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services.
Maintain integrity and accuracy of laboratory database where appropriate.
To participate in the current shift pattern.
Please read the full Job description, PS and Functional Aspect of the role before applying for this job.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to good GCSE level in English and Mathematics
- Previous administrative and clerical experience in a healthcare or customer service environment
Desirable criteria
- Keyboard and IT skills, preferably ECDL
Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven keyboard skills.
- Experience of word processing packages, databases and spreadsheets.
- Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive patient information in a methodical and professional manner.
- Ability to work as part of a team across a range of staff groups.
Desirable criteria
- Previous NHS experience.
- Previous experience working within the laboratory setting
Skills/Knowledge/abilities
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
- Good interpersonal and telephone skills and written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to work to deadlines and prioritise workload
- Ability to adapt to change within working situation
Desirable criteria
- Willingness to learn
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Merrion
- Job title
- Path Office Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01582 497995
- Additional information
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