Pathology Support Worker

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust; Frimley; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust seeks a permanent full-time Band 3 Senior Pathology Support Worker for the Microbiology (Bacteriology) Department at Frimley Park Hospital. You will support MLA and AP teams, handle diverse samples, and operate automated laboratory equipment.

The role requires a good scientific background, strong attention to detail, teamwork and effective communication with clinicians, staff and suppliers; late shift 2pm-10pm with weekend rotation.

Qualifications

• Good scientific background and ability to work in a clinical lab environment.
• Excellent communication with clinicians, patients and staff.
• Strong attention to detail and accurate data handling.
• Willingness to learn and work within a shift-based pathology service.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services in Bacteriology.
• Communicate with hospital clinicians, GPs, other professionals, patients and suppliers.
• Operate automated lab equipment and perform manual techniques under supervision.
• Work with BMS staff to ensure timely and efficient workload processing.
• Carry out administrative tasks: archiving, data handling, and audit trails.
• Perform a range of manual laboratory procedures under indirect supervision.
• Participate in the Trust Personal Development Programme and development needs.
• Accept a wide range of clinical samples from hospital/clinic staff and transport services.
• Verify sample details against request forms and assign unique identifiers with accuracy.
• Ensure samples meet acceptance criteria and handle non-compliance per protocols.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment and handle disposal of clinical waste.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external staff, patients and suppliers.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Keyboard skills

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

You will be expected to work according to our working time compliant shift system as specified above and on rare occasions may be required to work at the Wexham Park Hospital site to maintain quality, training and service requirements.

• To participate in the provision of a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services across a range of work areas within Bacteriology.
• The postholder is required to communicate with hospital clinicians, general practitioners, other healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives and commercial suppliers.
• The postholder will operate sophisticated, automated laboratory equipment and perform manual techniques under supervision.

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available. Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too. We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users. Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo

• Works in cooperation with BMS staff to ensure workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Performs a range of administrative tasks in all sections of the laboratory as required. This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and audit trails.
• Performs a variety of manual laboratory procedures, which are under indirect supervision from Registered BMS staff. Procedures include the setting up of tests and pre-analytical sample preparation.
• Participates in the Trust Personal Development Programme and works towards identified development needs.
• Accepts a wide range of clinical samples into the department from hospital staff, clinic staff and transport services.
• Ensures sample detail matches request form detail and assigns unique laboratory number to sample and form, requiring complete accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ensures that samples meet acceptance criteria, dealing with any non-compliance in accordance with departmental protocols.
• Maintains a clean and safe working environment through good laboratory practice.
• This may include disposal of clinical waste, autoclaving, decontamination processes.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups both internal and external, including healthcare professionals, transport and portering staff, patients and their representatives and commercial suppliers.

For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to this vacancy.

We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and well-motivated individual with good scientific background to complement our late shift MLA and AP team. Late shift working hours 2pm - 10pm Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are on a rotation every 4 weeks. Essential qualities expected are efficiency, being well organized, having good communication skills and attention to detail. Good keyboard skills are desirable. In addition, you should be a reliable individual who is able to demonstrate good practical skills and work as part of a team. You must be keen to embrace new ways of working and develop your knowledge and skills and able to participate in the shift system as specified.

Are you looking for a permanent full-time Band 3 Senior Pathology Support Worker position with a desire to work as part of the largest NHS led Pathology Services in the UK. Successful candidate will be based at Frimley Park Hospital - Microbiology (Bacteriology) Department.