Medical Laboratory Assistant - Central Specimen Reception

NSW Health; Sydney; On-site; AUD 67,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Fringe benefits

Wellbeing programs

Professional development

Job summary

NSW Health Pathology at Westmead ICPMR invites applications for a Medical Laboratory Assistant in Central Specimen Reception. This permanent full-time role offers 38 hours per week and a clear path into a busy, essential service.

You will receive, triage, register patients and process specimens, supporting timely diagnostic testing in a 24/7 roster. Excellent data entry, attention to detail and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Pathology Collections or Pathology Assistant experience in a pathology setting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks in a demanding environment with competing priorities.
• Proficient communication and data accuracy in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Receive, triage and register specimens and enter requests.
• Process specimens and prepare for transport to laboratories for testing.
• Support a 24/7 rotating shift roster and maintain data integrity.

Skills

Pathology reception

Data entry

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Certificate III in Pathology Collections

Pathology Assistant experience

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Central Specimen Reception

Employment Type: PermanentFull Time

Position Classification: Technical Assistant Grade 2

Remuneration: $66,939.37 - $69,503.42 per annum + Superannuation

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ697548

Location: Westmead Hospital

Applications Close: 20 October 2026 - 11:59pm

About the opportunity

Join one of NSW’s busiest and most essential pathology services and play a vital role behind the scenes of patient care. NSW Health Pathology is seeking motivated and detail-oriented Technical Assistants to join our high-performing Central Specimen Reception team at Westmead ICPMR. With full-time, part-time and casual opportunities available, this recruitment will establish an Eligibility List (eList) for future permanent, temporary and casual vacancies, offering an excellent opportunity to launch or advance your career within a leading healthcare organisation.

As the gateway to our diagnostic services, you'll be responsible for the accurate receipt, processing and data entry of pathology specimens that support timely and reliable healthcare outcomes across NSW. Working within a 24/7 rotating shift roster, you'll thrive in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, teamwork and attention to detail are highly valued. If you enjoy meaningful work, take pride in delivering quality results, and want to be part of a team that makes a genuine impact every day, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll be doing

Contribute to a high-quality pathology service. Perform pathology specimen reception duties including receiving and triaging of specimens, patient registration and request entry, specimen processing and preparation for transport or delivery to laboratories for timely accurate diagnostic testing.

What we can offer you

Financial Benefits - Generous salary packaging options and other fringe benefits

Work-life Balance - Up to 12 additional days off per year in addition to Annual Leave (for full-time employees)

Professional Growth - Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning

Health & Wellbeing - Fitness Passport gym discounts and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and families.

• Certificate III in Pathology Collections, or Pathology Assistance and/or previous experience a pathology setting or a demonstrated ability to learn all aspects of the pre analytical environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage tasks in a demanding environment where there are competing priorities and time constraints.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers, internal and external.
• Demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills combined with the ability to investigate and resolve general issues.
• Willingness to operate and maintain pre analytical equipment as required.
• Proficient computer skills including high attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Demonstrated understanding of confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive information in a laboratory setting, following relevant legislation, policies, and requirements.
• Willingness to participate in a 24/7 rotating shift roster, including weekends, public holidays, and night shifts, and the ability to travel to any site or location within the operational area as required.

More principles and policies are being established to support hiring managers identify AI formed responses. We may not progress applications if we don’t feel you have spoken to your own experiences and demonstrated your capabilities without AI assistance.

Information for applicants

NSW Health Pathology is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We value, and welcome all suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

NSW Health Pathology is committed to providing accessibility and reasonable accommodations and ensuring our recruitment process is flexible, inclusive, and free from barriers, promoting equal opportunities for all to succeed. Please reach out if you need adjustments.

NSW Health Pathology is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce in public health. For Aboriginal candidates, support is available through the Stepping Up website

You must have valid working rights in Australia for the duration of the appointment to be eligible to apply.

All workers must meet NSW Health’s vaccination and screening requirements before starting employment. See PD2026_004 for more detail. The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.

An eligibility list may be created for similar vacancies in the future.

We encourage applicants to submit responses that reflect their own experiences and perspectives.

NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.