Medical Laboratory Assistant, Specimen Reception

NHS; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider is hiring a full-time team member to collect and handle gynaecological specimens at St. Peter's Hospital in Chertsey. Responsibilities include specimen data entry using LIMS, assisting in sorting and checking request forms, maintaining high standards of work, and adhering to health and safety procedures. Ideal candidates should possess GCSEs in Maths and English, be willing to undergo training, and have strong communication skills. This position offers a salary of £25,768 per annum based on a full-time schedule.

Qualifications

• Comfortable working in an administrative role as part of a team.
• Willingness to undergo training for knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Collect and label gynaecological specimens.
• Perform data entry tasks using LIMS.
• Assist in sorting request forms in the HPV sorting room.

Skills

Team player

Good computer skills

Multi-tasking and prioritising skills

Good communication

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English or NVQ to Level 2

Job description

Job Summary

Collect incoming deliveries from pathology reception and unpack, check and label gynaecological specimens. Perform specimen data entry tasks using the Enterprise Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Work to clearly defined hourly productivity targets applicable to the job role.

Responsibilities

Assist in the HPV sorting room by checking and sorting request forms according to their recalls, pulling out histories, matching request forms and slides, and scanning documents into the DART database.

Perform other tasks such as locating request forms for investigations and doing data entry for the rejects team.

To receive and check samples and request forms reaching the laboratory from service users; to number samples and forms with a unique identifier; to place specimen containers in processing racks.

Separate samples received in error for different departments when necessary and enter patient details into LIMS, looking up and printing previous patient history on the CSMS system.

Liaise with users regarding errors in patient and specimen identification, return samples to the sender when appropriate, and record errors.

Maintain a high standard of work, checking specimen and request details, and bring any non‑conformity to the attention of a senior member of staff.

Comply with the Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) health and safety procedures and laboratory codes of practice, and adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

Follow laboratory procedures as detailed in departmental standard operating procedures (SOP). Assist in the training of new starters and carry out duties within the Cytology Department as required by the Laboratory Manager.

About Us

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people in North‑West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond. Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff provide services across two hospital sites: Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.

We run many specialist clinics in the community and local hospitals, and are committed to continuous professional development, staff benefits and flexibility to shape our workforce around patient care.

Details

Date posted: 31 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £25,768 a year per annum inc. HCAS (pro rata – 37.5 hrs per week)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 323‑ACS2936‑ED

Job location: St. Peter's Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ

Person Specification

Ability (Essential)

• GCSEs to include Maths & English or NVQ to Level 2

Desirable

• Willing to undergo training to ensure the relevant level of knowledge & skills for the role.
• Multi‑tasking and prioritising skills.
• Ability to work to targets & be well organised / flexible.
• Good computer skills, coordination & dexterity.
• Team player, good communicator & motivated.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships with all members of staff.

Experience (Essential)

• Comfortable working as part of a team in an administrative job role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required to check for previous criminal convictions.

Employer Details

Employer name: Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: St. Peter's Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ

Employer’s website: https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/