About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated individual to join the Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics based at Southmead Hospital. The department is housed within a modern, purpose-built laboratory, and you will become part of a busy, supportive, and friendly team.
The Immunology Department at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust provides a comprehensive diagnostic service for the local community, serving a population of approximately 500,000, as well as a specialist referral service across the South West.
We are looking for a team player with excellent administrative, communication, computer, and practical skills to support our Specimen Reception team within Immunology.
Please note this role operates on a monthly rota covering shifts of: 7am-3pm, 9am-5pm and 12pm-8pm.Working hours and shift patterns may be subject to change to meet the operational needs of the laboratory.
This isnot an HCPC trainee position. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Early application is therefore encouraged. Unfortunately we are not able to offer visa sponsorship on this role. For more information about working in pathology, see our video here: https://youtu.be/cJiNgR-TwUY?si=H6kkwCD5FvSv6UpW
Main duties of the job
Working under the direction of senior staff, you will support the day-to-day operation of the Immunology Laboratory. This is primarily a data entry role, with additional responsibilities relating to specimen processing and general laboratory support.
Key responsibilities include:
Data input and administration of patient samples and test requests. Receiving, booking, and preparing clinical specimens for testing. Handling a range of clinical samples, including blood, urine, and faecal specimens. Prioritising and processing Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT). Carrying out pre-analytical sample processing, including faecal sample extraction. Supporting laboratory housekeeping activities, including cleaning and decontamination of equipment and work areas. Undertaking clerical tasks such as scanning, filing, and photocopying documentation. Supporting the Immunogenetics and Immunophenotyping teams with pre-analytical sample processing when required. Providing assistance across all areas of the laboratory as needed. The successful candidate will be based primarily within the Immunochemistry section of the department, supporting faecal testing services.
About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol City Centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the job description attached for a full list of role responsibilities.
Interpersonal and communication skills To work in a polite and professional manner maintain a good working relationship with colleagues Communicate effectively both verbally and written Work effectively as part of a team Deal with telephone calls in line with departmental policy in a polite and professional manner Notify senior staff of any issues and queries as appropriate Assist with training of more junior or new MLAs as required
Professional knowledge and expertise Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent Previous experience of working in a pathology laboratory desirable Completion of laboratory competences Working knowledge of appropriate protocols and safe laboratory practice Work within health and safety guidelines
Problem-solving and decision-making Deal with queries and problems and refer as appropriate Ability to work and exercise initiative under the supervision of senior staff
Planning and coordination Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
Practical and technical skills Ability to follow standard operating procedures accurately Ability to work accurately and to deadlines according to laboratory safety guidelines Have good hand and eye coordination for processing samples and using equipment accurately
Information and data management Ability to work with all types of bodily fluids and samples, particularly faecal samples
Physical demands and work environment The post is laboratory based Involves movement between geographically separate areas of the laboratory Frequent transport of samples, equipment and consumables Exposure to blood and other bodily fluids and faecal matter Long periods of sitting/standing in fixed positions at laboratory benches Occasional exposure to, hazardous chemicals, UV, and laser light Frequent performance of repetitive tasks Frequent prolonged periods of VDU usage The post holder may be required to work alone / outside of routine hours. Exposure to low temperatures when storing/retrieving samples and reagents Frequent manual handling including lifting boxes and waste bags daily. Requirement to wear personal protective equipment e.g., gloves, goggles, etc. Occasional use of equipment with potential risk of exposure to sharps injury
Cognitive demands Requirement to concentrate for long periods at technically demanding procedures.
Emotional resilience Occasional identification, and communication of sensitive and distressing results
Person Specification
Education Essential
Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent
Work experience Essential
Previous experience of data entry
Desirable
Previous experience of working in a pathology laboratory
Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential
Good communication skills both verbal and written Good IT and keyboard skills
Desirable
Knowledge of good general laboratory practice
Personal qualities Essential
Good interpersonal skills Ability to handle pathology samples
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 Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address Southmead Hospital
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Blood Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-On-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5NB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)