Pathology Specimen Reception Assistant (Band 3)
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
15 September 2026
14 days left
Job description
Are you highly organised, detail-oriented, and looking to make a real difference in patient care? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specimen Re...
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.
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.
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.
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 familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
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
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
1 September 2026
Last checked
1 September 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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