Medical Laboratory Assistant

Candino CA; Colchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Colchester is seeking Medical Laboratory Assistants for their Blood Sciences Pathology Department. The role involves processing pathology samples and supporting technical staff. Flexible shifts are required, and training will be provided. Join a dedicated team focused on patient care and professional development.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave (pro rata)

Access to NHS discounts

Staff Health and Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of healthcare science duties equivalent to NVQ level 3.
• Practical experience in a Biomedical Science laboratory is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for receipt and pre-analytics processing of pathology samples.
• Identify and report mislabelled or unsuitable specimens.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent

Tools

Pathology IT systems

Quality Management Systems

Job description

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

About

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS organisations in the region, employing over 12,000 staff and serving a population of almost 800,000 residents. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, six community hospitals and in patients' own homes.

We are an ambitious trust with a simple vision, to provide the communities we serve with excellent healthcare and build a better future for the people of East Suffolk and North Essex. To help us do this, we will work closely with our local partners to deliver more of the joined-up services and care our residents need.

For our staff and our patients we have the same philosophy: time matters. We concentrate on removing or improving the things we do that don't work for our patients. For our staff, this means more time to care for patients and greater opportunities to develop skills and experience. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring whats widely regarded as the worlds best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

To be the best, we need to attract and keep the best staff. Our size puts us in a strong position to grow, providing more of the latest services. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training. Support from technology and logistics help us see patients at the right time.

If you are passionate about patient care, want to develop your skills and knowledge and if your ambition matches ours, its time to work together.

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Key details

Location

SiteColchester HospitalAddressTurner RoadTownColchesterPostcodeCO4 5JLMajor / Minor RegionEssex

Contract type & working pattern

ContractPermanent / Fixed term until 31st March 2026HoursFlexible shift working including evenings, weekends and nights

• Full time
• Part time
  
  

Salary

Salary£24,625 - £25,674 per annum pro rataSalary periodYearlyGrade(NHS AfC: Band 3)

Specialty

Main areaBlood Sciences - Pathology

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFTs core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

Job Overview

We are looking for Medical Laboratory Assistants to join our specimen reception team in the Blood Sciences Pathology Department at Colchester Hospital. We have a permanent post and a fixed term post until March 2026.

This role is based in our pathology labs and you will work with the team and be responsible for receipt and pre-analytics processing of pathology samples which are then passes on to our other specialities.

You will be required to work a variety of shifts over a 24 hour period to help support the technical staff to maintain a safe and effective service. Flexible shift working including evenings, weekends and nights is essential for this role.

We are looking for a Healthcare professional who can understand the changing services of pathology and represent the new service going forward.

Training will be provided however knowledge of pathology would be advantageous.

For the fixed term post, internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only. This will need to be discussed with your line manager.

About Our Pathology Service

Advert

Our vision is to deliver innovations and high-performing pathology services that are focussed on our customers whilst delivering high quality and fully compliant services. We are clinically led and designed to achieve the benefits of scale that can be achieved by working together, while remaining close enough to our customers to meet their needs and support the excellent clinical care provided by our hospitals.

Responsible for sample receipt, numbering and data entry on to the computer system.

Identify, action and report mislabelled or mislaid specimens, unsuitable sample or process failure.

Participate in the day to day management of stock control and usage.

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring whats widely regarded as the worlds best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.

Please make sure that you read the Job Description and Person Specification attached and that your statement in support reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria.

Secondment - if you are interested in undertaking a role on a secondment basis, please ensure that you have discussed this with your current line manager prior to submitting your application. Please note if you are already an employee of ESNEFT fixed term roles will only be offered on a secondment basis.

When providing reference details please provide email addresses so references can be sought promptly to cover the last 3 years of employment.

Successful candidates may be charged for their DBS check. Please ensure you read the information found in the attached DBS Information document

The Trust is committed to its staff and their development and to equal opportunities and diversity. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.

Whilst we welcome applications from all and your application will be considered on individual merit, if you are offered a position and require a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship we may not be able to process your application to the final stage due Home Office eligibility.

In submitting an application form, you authorise East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; we look forward to receiving your application for employment.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent
  
  

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
  
  

Skills and Aptitude

Essential criteria

• Good communication skills
• Willingness to undertake cross training to extend skill set to deliver role
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team.
• Ability to supervise less experienced staff, e.g. can demonstrate own work.
  
  

Documents

• Job Description and Person Specification (, 304.6)PDFKB
• DBS Information (, 315.0)PDFKB
• ESNEFT Values and Behaviours (, 74.8)PDFKB
• Value of joining NHS Pension (, 125.2)PDFKB
• Apprenticeship Handbook (, 373.9)PDFKB
• Staff Networks (, 230.1)PDFKB
  
  

Further details / informal visits contact

NameDhanaraj KrishnamurthyJob titleBiochemistry ManagerEmail address [email protected]Telephone number01206 742244

If you have problems applying, contact

AddressColchester General HospitalTelephone07789651269