East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Pathology Assistant - Specimen Reception - EDGH

The closing date is 26 June 2025

Job summary

Pathology specimen reception are looking for two new team members. We ensure every sample sent to pathology is checked, registered and labelled correctly before going into our laboratories for testing. We receive thousands of samples every day from wards, community sites and GP practices and work to exacting ISO standards for the safety of our patients.

Hospital workflow is steady throughout the day and GP bloods start arriving early afternoon, continuing into the evening. Our shift patterns match this workflow with more of us on in the afternoon and evening ensuring that every sample is processed by the laboratory the day it is taken. There will be bursts of activity as samples arrive from across East Sussex needing to be unpacked, followed by data entry before taking the samples into the labs. Pathology runs 365 days a year and our shifts reflect this.

The skills required for specimen reception are very much administration and not clinical or scientific but we do work very closely with our Biomedical Scientist colleagues in ensuring safe and correct management of patient samples. Attention to detail and computer skills are key. Our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is quite unlike any other Hospital system but these skills can be taught as part of our competency program so no prior clinical knowledge is required.

Main duties of the job

Specimen Reception Pathology Assistants support the work of thelaboratory and Biomedical Scientists (BMS) by carrying outnon-interpretative laboratory procedures. A significant part of this role is data entry using the laboratory computer system, correctly identify patient's details and handling of samples of a potentially hazardous nature.Typical duties are unpacking, sorting and booking in samples,packing specimens to send away to referral laboratories, preparingspecimens for testing, performing simple analytical procedures andsome more general tasks of this nature.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

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Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LC7425-A

Job locations

Eastbourne General Hospital

Kings Drive

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

Ifyou have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

Ifyou have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of and commitment to healthcare
  • Accepts responsibility whilst recognising limits.

Desirable

  • Experience in Pathology laboratory techniques.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to perform delicate work to a high standard
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and non-verbal

Desirable

  • Good knowledge of relevant laboratory techniques as required for staff in this post
  • Good knowledge of relevant health & safety issues
  • Ability to train inexperienced staff

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education to GCSE level including English and Maths
  • NVQ 3 level qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience and knowledge

Desirable

  • Completion of NVQ level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support.
  • Completion of formal one year Laboratory Training and Assessment Programme
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of and commitment to healthcare
  • Accepts responsibility whilst recognising limits.

Desirable

  • Experience in Pathology laboratory techniques.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to perform delicate work to a high standard
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and non-verbal

Desirable

  • Good knowledge of relevant laboratory techniques as required for staff in this post
  • Good knowledge of relevant health & safety issues
  • Ability to train inexperienced staff

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education to GCSE level including English and Maths
  • NVQ 3 level qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience and knowledge

Desirable

  • Completion of NVQ level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support.
  • Completion of formal one year Laboratory Training and Assessment Programme

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Eastbourne General Hospital

Kings Drive

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Eastbourne General Hospital

Kings Drive

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Pathology Specimen Reception Supervisor

Lesley White

Lesley.white6@nhs.net

03001314500

Details

Date posted

19 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LC7425-A

Job locations

Eastbourne General Hospital

Kings Drive

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD


Supporting documents

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