Medical Laboratory Assistant (Specimen Reception)

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Sefton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a motivated individual for a role in laboratory processing. Responsibilities include specimen handling, collaboration with medical staff, and participation in shift rotations including nights and weekends. Ideal candidates are organised and possess strong data entry skills. The position offers a dynamic environment as the department evolves towards 24/7 operations.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Equal Opportunities employer

Disability Confident employer

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic, organised, methodical, and highly motivated individual.
• Willingness to rotate shifts, including potential night shifts.
• Ability to work independently under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Receive and log specimens into the department.
• Collaborate with medical staff and assist patients.
• Participate in bank holiday, evening, and weekend work rotas.

Skills

Strong data entry accuracy

Customer-service orientation

Good teamwork

Communication skills

Tools

Laboratory Information System

Telepath

LIMS

Job description

Overview

1 x 15 hours per week available. Current operating hours at Southport and Ormskirk sites are Sunday – Saturday 8.00am – midnight, including bank holidays. There is a concurrent on-call rota covering the Ormskirk site from midnight – 7.30am, Sunday – Saturday. The post holder will be expected to rotate across these shifts, initially covering mainly Monday – Friday. The department is moving towards becoming operational 24/7 which will include night shift work. The primary role of the post is to receive samples for laboratory testing to check that all details of the request forms and samples match and to enter and receive them into the laboratory information system. It also includes the pre-analytical preparation required for analysis and ready to be processed on the analysers. This role is primarily based at Southport Hospital. The JD & PS are currently AfC reviewed and subject to change. We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised, methodical and highly motivated individual.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic clerical and reception duties within the laboratory, receive and log specimens into the department and record tests requested on the laboratory computer system.
• Work independently, under the technical supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist, to undertake pre-analytical preparation of specimens received and act as the first point of reference for enquiries into the department.
• Collaborate with Consultant and junior medical staff, General Practitioners, Laboratory and other hospital/professional staff, and assist patients with general enquiries both on the telephone and face to face.
• Participate in the bank holiday, evening and weekend work rotas as required.
• Receive and barcode all samples and request forms as appropriate; enter patient and sample details into the Laboratory Information System; data entry of all patient identifiable information and request details for all disciplines (excluding Blood Transfusion) into the Telepath system where applicable; ensure accuracy of data entry.
• Sort and deliver bar-coded samples/requests to the appropriate department in a timely manner; process requests into Telepath via order communications systems; perform pre-analytical stages such as centrifugation, aliquoting, clot removal and loading onto analytical tracks.
• Numbering, Telepath entry and loading of Blood Cultures onto the analyser in Microbiology; handle telephone enquiries; prioritise urgent samples for fast tracking; process add-on requests.
• Use the Patient Administration System and other systems to check patient details; carry out LIMS housekeeping (manual patient merges in Haematology, Biochemistry and Microbiology) after verification; notify Blood Transfusion of any mismatches.
• Handle Pneumatic Air Tube: respond to fault calls as per policy, purge air tube system and clear simple faults as required, report ongoing faults to Facilities Maintenance.
• Respond to telephone enquiries from service users, patients, relatives and departmental colleagues; use fax and photocopier per manufacturer instructions; follow storage and stock rotation requirements of relevant stock in storerooms.
• Distribute GP orders (including blood forms) to surgeries in a timely manner; ensure reports are sorted and distributed to relevant bodies through internal and external posting systems; accurate filing and retrieval of reports; scanning of request forms; work closely with all departments to ensure timely accurate service.
• Provide cross-cover for colleagues as required; night rota staff will work in Microbiology including processing Blood Cultures up to loading and starting the analyser; undertake any other duties deemed necessary to ensure smooth running of the department.
• Workflow Management: ensure timely data entry of requests for maximum turnaround times; collect samples to meet turnaround times; maintain good working relations and promote teamwork; ensure courteous telephone handling; participate in departmental meetings; report risks (faulty equipment or staff shortages) to supervisors/managers; replenish stock and despatch orders; receive visitors; cover holidays/sickness; advise on consumables stock levels; tidy reception area; decontaminate work areas as per SOP.
• Health and Safety: adhere to Trust and departmental H&S protocols and Fire regulations; identify risks and be aware of risk assessments; report clinical incidents to the Blood Sciences Service Lead; report defects or maintenance needs.
• COSHH adherence: safe handling, storage and disposal of reagents in line with policy.
• Communication: relay information to laboratory colleagues, participate in meetings and handovers, maintain effective teamwork and relationships.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Enthusiastic, organised, methodical and highly motivated individual.
• Willingness to rotate shifts, including potential night shifts, and participate in bank holiday, evening and weekend rotas as required.
• Ability to work independently under supervision; strong data entry accuracy; customer-service orientation for internal and external contacts.
• Experience with data systems (Laboratory Information System, Telepath, LIMS) and ability to manage patient details and requests accurately.
• Good teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to work across multiple departments and external agencies.

Additional Information

• Pre-application notes: this vacancy may close early if enough applications are received.
• Flexibility: duties may vary slightly between sites.
• On-call and night shift work as part of the department’s evolving 24/7 operation.
• Equal Opportunities, Disability Confident, Armed Forces Veterans schemes and visa sponsorship information are described in the full ad.
• Flexible working: MWL supports flexible working; rights to request flexible working from day one; discuss options at interview.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. The Trust may contact you for feedback during recruitment. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion statements are included in the ad. If you require disability adjustments or have difficulty applying online, contact the provided email.