Pathology Reception and Transport Supervisor

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust; Stockton-on-Tees; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Stockton-on-Tees is seeking a Pathology Reception and Transport Supervisor. The role involves supervising the pathology specimen reception team, ensuring compliance with laboratory standards, and providing an efficient service across multiple sites. Candidates should have NVQ Level 3 in a Science subject, lab experience, and leadership skills. The position offers a supportive work environment and opportunities for development.

Benefits

Health and well-being initiatives

Opportunities for personal and professional development

Qualifications

• Demonstrate experience in laboratory processes.
• Participation in audit activities.
• Responsible and mature approach to work and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Healthcare Science Support Workers to ensure high-quality service.
• Cover HCSSW duties during annual leave or sickness.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs for pre-analytical turnaround times.

Skills

Leadership

Good interpersonal & communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Experience in training staff

Education

NVQ Level 3 in a Science subject

GCSE Grade 4 or above in English

GCSE Grade 4 or above in Mathematics

Tools

ECDL or equivalent IT qualification

Job description

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients' experience the best it can possibly be.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Job overview

*Advert will close early once sufficient volume of applications is reached*

We have an exciting opportunity for a Pathology Reception and Transport Supervisor to join the team in Central Specimen Reception across the North Pathology department. The job involves a range of tasks that support the Pathology laboratory in receipting and processing of patient samples so that results can be generated and released to clinicians to aid diagnosis.

The Pathology departments at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are working collaboratively to develop a joint service with services being delivered from all hospital sites. This will require cross site working, with the potential to work at any site as needed.

Main duties of the job

In conjunction with the Pathology Specimen Reception Line Management, supervise Healthcare Science Support Workers (HCSSW) and coordinate activities of the Pathology Specimen Reception team to provide an efficient, high-quality service across all sites. Reverting into the role of HCSSW to cover annual leave and sickness. Ensure compliance with current SOPs and laboratory guidance to ensure pre-analytical turnaround times are met, and deal with inquiries from internal and external service users, taking appropriate action as required

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We recruit for values and "Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool"

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 3 in a Science subject or significant experience in a similar role
• GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics

Desirable criteria

• ECDL or equivalent IT qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrate experience in laboratory processes
• Leadership
• Participation in audit activities

Desirable criteria

• Hospital experience
• Experience of automated and semi-automated analysers

Skills

Essential criteria

• Experience in training staff
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal & communication skills

Personal attributes

Essential criteria

• Understands own limitations
• Able to work effectively as an individual or as part of a team

Desirable criteria

• Responsible and mature approach to work and colleagues

Please be aware: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters - Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The details in the Monitoring Information section of your application will be used for monitoring our recruitment process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. To meet its commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, the Trust's policy is that individuals will be recruited, trained and promoted according to ability and job requirements only. As such we welcome your application irrespective of your gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, and nationality, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a 'Skilled Worker' visa. If you are applying for health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here:Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

Disability

The Trust gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received from disabled people. We are a "Positive about Disabled People" employer, and we hold the 'two ticks' Disability Symbol, which is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability, which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form, please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team on 01642 383200.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• B3 job description (PDF, 687.2KB)
• NTHFT Customer Care Charter Overview (PDF, 155.8KB)
• NTHFT Employment Applicant Guidance (PDF, 594.1KB)
• Staff Network Job Advert Feb 2025 (PDF, 428.4KB)
• Privacy Notice (PDF, 717.8KB)