Medical Laboratory Assistant (Specimen Reception)

2 x 37.5 hours per week. 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, in the first instance covering mainly Tuesdays - Saturdays inclusive. 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 our laboratory information system. It also includes the pre-analytical preparation required for analysis and ready to be processed on the analysers., We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised, methodical and highly motivated individual.
The responsibilities of this job are to 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.
Working independently although under the technical supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist, to undertake pre-analytical preparation of specimens received and to act as the first point of reference for enquiries into the department.
This will involve working closely with Consultant and junior medical staff, General Practitioners, Laboratory and other hospital/professional staff both in this organisation and outside agencies and assisting patients with general enquiries both on the telephone and face to face.
You will be required to participate in the bank holiday, evening and weekend work rotas as required.
Please note, previous candidates need not apply.
This vacancy may close early if enough applications are received., Technical
+ Duties may vary slightly from site to site so may or may not be applicable on all sites.
+ Receive and barcode all samples and request forms as appropriate
+ Enter Patient and Sample details into Laboratory Information System. Data entry of all patient identifiable information, clinical details and request details for all disciplines with the exception of Blood Transfusion into the Pathology (Telepath) system (accuracy is vitally important).
+ Sort and deliver bar-coded samples/requests to appropriate department in a timely manner
+ Receive requests into Telepath via the order communications systems
+ Process samples through pre-analytical stages such as centrifugation, aliquoting into additional tubes, removal of clots and loading onto the analytical track to be analysed.
+ Numbering, Telepath entry and loading of Blood Cultures onto the analyser in Microbiology
+ Take and communicate as required all telephone enquires
+ Prioritise urgent samples for fast tracking
+ Process add-on Requests
+ To use the Patient Administration System and other systems to check patient details.
+ To carry out LIMS housekeeping - manual patient merges in Haematology, Biochemistry and Microbiology once patient information has been checked in the above systems and to notify Blood Transfusion of any mismatches.
+ Pneumatic Air Tube- Pathology Reception is responsible for receiving fault calls regarding the air tube that must be dealt with immediately 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 with correct use of telephone and the giving out authorised results from Telepath as required.
+ Use of fax, photocopier, according to the manufacturer's instructions, as required.
+ Understand and follow storage and stock rotation requirements of relevant stock in various storerooms.
+ Distribution of GP orders (including blood forms) to surgeries in a timely manner.
+ To ensure that all reports are sorted and distributed to the relevant bodies through internal and external posting systems in a timely and efficient manner.
+ Accurate filing and retrieval of reports. Scanning of request forms.
+ To work closely with all departments within the Pathology Directorate to ensure that a timely accurate service is delivered.
+ To provide cross cover for colleagues as and when required.
+ Night rota staff will work in Microbiology including processing Blood Cultures to the point of loading and starting the analyser.
+ Any other duties deemed necessary to ensure the smooth running of the department commensurate with the grade.
Workflow Management
+ Timely data entry of requests to facilitate maximum efficiency of turnaround times of results.
+ Collect samples from wards/departments/Phlebotomists to meet required turnaround times when required by supervisor/manager.
+ To maintain good working relations with all members of staff and to promote effective teamwork.
+ To promote an efficient, courteous telephone manner to our service users.
+ To actively participate in departmental meetings.
+ Ensure risks to service such as faulty equipment or unexpected staff shortages are reported to the supervisors or manager as soon as possible.
+ Replenish stock of blood bottles as required and prepare and despatch orders to community locations.
+ Receive visitors to the laboratory as necessary
+ Flexibility in helping to cover holiday/sickness absence.
+ Participate in departmental meetings as required.
+ To advise the Supervisor or Biomedical Scientists when consumables are approaching minimum stock levels, or take appropriate action
+ Tidy Reception area when appropriate
+ Decontaminate all work areas - following Standard Operating Procedure.
+ Health and Safety
+ Adhere to Trust and departmental Health & Safety protocols and Fire regulations.
+ Identify risks, and to be aware of risk assessments affecting the workplace. Report clinical incidents to the Blood Sciences Service Lead. Report any defects or required maintenance in building /services to the Blood Sciences Service Lead.
+ Adhere to current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation (COSHH). Ensuring the preparation, safe handling, storage, and disposal of reagents is carried out in accordance with departmental policy and COSHH legislation regarding hazardous materials and chemicals.
+ Communication
+ Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section and inform effectively at hand over.
+ Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate.
+ Ensure effective communication is maintained within the department.
+ Maintain good working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork.
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
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).
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unbale to provide sponsorship.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.
An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
+ Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme