Healthcare Sciences Support Worker - Sample reception | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK health provider is looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to support specimen reception and processing samples from hospitals. Responsibilities include labelling, sorting, and preparing pathology samples while maintaining high levels of accuracy. The role demands precise work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, where training will be provided.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a busy environment.
• Ability to work under time pressures.
• Tolerance for repetitive work.

Responsibilities

• Process samples from hospitals and GPs.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and areas.
• Communicate with staff and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Keyboard skills

Data input experience

Attention to detail

Job description

Based within Blood Sciences, you will be working in specimen reception processing samples received from the Hospitals and General Practitioners. This is an area which can be very busy and requires precise working, under time pressures.

Keyboard skills and experience of data input would be a particular advantage, as would previously working in a Pathology lab, although this is not essential.

Post holder requires to participate in various shifts arranged over 24 hours including core days, weekends, nights, lates and Bank Holidays

Work as part of a team supporting and supervised by a Health and Care Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientists. Booking and preparing patient samples and requests for analysis, and carrying out basic laboratory duties.



· The Blood Sciences Department is a demand led service, processing over 4000 patient samples every weekday.

· The workflow is unpredictable such that there are significant peaks and troughs throughout the day in the number of samples arriving for processing.

· This requires a high level of tolerance to repetitive work. The need to maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail throughout prolonged periods of concentration are required.

· In sample processing, MLA’s must work to deadlines to assist in achieving defined analysis turnaround times to provide an effective clinical service to wards departments and GP surgeries and a fast response service to the emergency departments.

We have a friendly, professional and patient care driven team in Specimen Reception. Your role will be to work alongside other MLA's in a fast paced environment. You will receive on the job training. The laboratory service at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is delivered 24/7 at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital sites.

Sample Preparation

1. Receive and sort pathology samples.

2. Distribute samples to departments.

3. Label samples and prepare them for analysis.

4. Record and inform service users and senior staff of requests received that do not comply with the Specimen Acceptance Criteria



Data Handling

1. Enter data onto the laboratory computer system.



Housekeeping and Maintenance Tasks

1. Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust and departmental policies

2. Clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment in accordance with laboratory protocols and record such actions.

3. Assist with the use and maintenance of some laboratory equipment.

4. Maintain adequate stocks of consumables and ensure any stock is stored in a timely manner.



Communication

1. Communicate with a limited range of Trust staff in person, eg passing of information to colleagues within Pathology

2. Be expected to communicate in a pleasant and caring manner at all times whilst maintaining confidentiality.

3. Attend department meetings as required, to ensure an awareness of developments within the work area.

4. Maintain an effective communication network; verbal, written and electronic, keeping registered practitioners informed.

5. Assist in maintaining, recording and storing information, including patient records, in line with Trust policy.



Training and Development

1. Training is provided and assessed in the department as defined in the Training Manual for Specimen Reception

2. Be trained to have a working knowledge of all health and safety procedures

3. Participate in the appraisal process and, as part of the appraisal, in discussion with the line manager, develop an annual Personal Development Plan to identify training and development needs in line with personal and organisational objectives

4. Develop own skills and knowledge.

5. Attend mandatory training as directed.

6. Assist in the training of new staff when required.



Organisational Responsibilities

1. General clerical and administrative duties including scanning request forms, photocopying, filing and shredding confidential waste.

2. Completing records in Specimen Reception, for example fridge temperatures in compliance with laboratory protocols



Professional Responsibilities

1. Maintain confidentiality at all times, ensuring information is only divulged to authorised sources and by appropriate means.

2. Exercise independent judgement and initiative by taking appropriate action to resolve any problems when they arise.

3. Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.


This advert closes on Friday 1 Aug 2025