Medical Laboratory Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job description

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Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type: NHS

Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital

Town: Brighton

Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 06/04/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented, and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Cellular Pathology laboratory at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton is looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with good interpersonal skills to join our busy Histopathology Medical Laboratory Assistant team.

UHSx East Cellular pathology receives approximately 34,000 Histology requests and 5,000 Cytology requests per annum, with all the routine technical work being performed at RSCH.

The department provides a service for a wide variety of specialities, which include Renal Medicine, Oncology, Breast Pathology, and Paediatrics as well as to the Brighton & Sussex Medical School.

The successful applicant must be conscientious and enthusiastic and able to work well as part of a team and under pressure. Good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail are essential requirements.

The successful applicant must also have good communication and IT skills and will be expected to participate fully in the accreditation activities of the department.

Relevant experience would be an advantage but full training will be provided.

Candidates looking for a Trainee Biomedical Scientist position or a progression need not apply.

Main duties of the job

The post will involve supporting the department in providing diagnostic Cellular Pathology services and includes specimen data entry, specimen preparation, assisting the medical and scientific team during specimen dissection, matching completed cases for final quality control check, machine operation and maintenance, dealing with telephone enquiries; stock control; and laboratory waste disposal.

This position will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and the post-holder will be held accountable to the HR policies and procedures of UHSx.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Scientific & analytical

• Follows standard operating procedures at all times
• Participates in data entry for cellular pathology samples.
• Understand the urgency of requests; prioritising work according to SOP’s.
• Checks samples before processing for identification, status and suitability for diagnostic investigations, referring to a BMS when necessary.
• Prepare specimens, making decisions from a range of options on the type of process to be used e.g. fixation, wet preparations, referral to another area of Pathology if appropriate.
• Assist the Consultant Pathologist, Registrar or BMS at the specimen dissection bench, recording details and check specimen details.
• Undertake routine maintenance and troubleshooting on complex equipment to ensure correct functioning
• Load slide scanners as and when directed
• Matches completed cases for final quality control check
• Prepare reagents, stock solutions and laboratory disinfectants as directed.
• Cleans and disinfects equipment and work areas as appropriate
• Report anomalies to senior staff according to SOP’s.
• Help maintain the filing system of slides and blocks.
• To be aware of and work within own technical competence
• Suggest changes to protocols/ Policies where appropriate.

Information management & technology

• Works within SOPs and policies to ensure high quality data, thus maintaining the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases. Recognises data quality problems and brings to the attention of senior staff.
• Attends training on the use of display screen equipment and ensures that working practices comply.
• Reports any non-functional hardware to senior staff.
• Uses the laboratory information management system according to authorised protocols. Uses quality management system for read only access
• Complies with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Uses the laboratory information management systems and Open Exeter to access results as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE grade c or above in English and maths
• NVQ in Health Sciences and/or equivalent experience
• Understanding of job content in applicants supporting information
• Understanding of a working laboratory
• Previous pathology laboratory experience
• Previously worked in a NHS healthcare setting with good demonstration of transferable skills.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name: Joanne Martin

Job title: Lead BMS Cellular Pathology

Email address: [e-mail]

Telephone number: 01273 067421

Additional information: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Please contact Joanne Martin ([e-mail]) or Simon Heath ([e-mail]) for further information or to arrange an informal visit.