Go back
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Pathology Specimen Reception Assistant (Band 3)

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

An opportunity exists for bank specimen receptionist (AFC band 3) to join the team of dedicated enthusiastic staff in the Blood Sciences Department at both Luton & Dunstable and Bedford Hospitals. The successful candidates will work as members of a dedicated team in specimen reception. Part time and full time workers will be considered

Every encouragement will be given with participation in Continual Personal Development through onsite training and attendance at suitable external events alongside gaining valuable experience working in a busy Blood Sciences Department.

The successful applicant will be expected to support the current shift patterns with:

L&D covering 08-16:00, 09:00 to 17:30, 12-20:00, 14:00-22:00 and night shift 20:00-08:00

Bedford covering 08:00-16:00, 09:30-17:30, 10:30-18:30 and 12:00-20:00

Applications are welcome from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways through the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to

  • Receive and dispatch samples to appropriate laboratories.
  • Sort and label specimens for blood sciences
  • Undertake accurate and precise data entry on laboratory computer system which requires frequent periods of concentration.
  • Maintain, process and distribute orders of consumables for GP surgeries
  • File and distribute patient reports.
  • Organisation of personal workload
  • Handle telephone enquiries from service users and where required communicate test results which may be of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
  • Participate in mentoring guidance and training of inexperienced/new staff when required.
  • Effectively communicate with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.
  • Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics and other departments within Pathology.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

418-DTO5022-KA

Job locations

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

  • To undertake the reception, identification and processing of pathological samples in the Specimen Reception.
  • Sorting and labelling of specimens
  • Undertake accurate and precise data entry on laboratory computer system which requires frequent periods of concentration
  • Maintenance of stores
  • To ensure that GP consumable orders are completed and distributed to GP surgeries.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

  • To undertake the reception, identification and processing of pathological samples in the Specimen Reception.
  • Sorting and labelling of specimens
  • Undertake accurate and precise data entry on laboratory computer system which requires frequent periods of concentration
  • Maintenance of stores
  • To ensure that GP consumable orders are completed and distributed to GP surgeries.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Proven key board skills
  • Experience of word processing packages, databases and spreadsheets.
  • Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive patient information in a methodical and professional manner
  • Ability to work as part of a team across a range of staff groups.

Desirable

  • Previous experience working within the laboratory setting

Education

Essential

  • Educated to a good GCSE level in English & Mathematics
  • Previous administrative and clerical experience in a healthcare or customer service environment

Desirable

  • Keyboard and IT skills preferably ECDL

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
  • Good interpersonal and telephone skills
  • Able to work to deadlines and prioritise workload

Desirable

  • Willingness to learn
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Proven key board skills
  • Experience of word processing packages, databases and spreadsheets.
  • Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive patient information in a methodical and professional manner
  • Ability to work as part of a team across a range of staff groups.

Desirable

  • Previous experience working within the laboratory setting

Education

Essential

  • Educated to a good GCSE level in English & Mathematics
  • Previous administrative and clerical experience in a healthcare or customer service environment

Desirable

  • Keyboard and IT skills preferably ECDL

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
  • Good interpersonal and telephone skills
  • Able to work to deadlines and prioritise workload

Desirable

  • Willingness to learn

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

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cross site Admin lead

sarah Merrion

Sarah.Merrion@ldh.nhs.uk

015824897995

Details

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

418-DTO5022-KA

Job locations

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)