• Job Description

  Req#: C9418-25-0590?language=en&page=131&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  An opportunity exists for a Specimen Receptionist (AfC Band 3) to join the team of dedicated enthusiastic staff in the Blood Sciences Department at Luton & Dunstable Hospital. The successful candidate will work as a member of a dedicated team in specimen reception.

  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.

  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.

  We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

  Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

  All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

  Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

  Details

  Date posted

  19 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 3

  Salary

  £24,625 to £25,674 a year Per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Part-time

  Reference number

  418-DTO7043-KA-A

  Job locations

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital Site

  Lewsey Road

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  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 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 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

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital Site

  Lewsey Road

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  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

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital Site

  Lewsey Road

  Luton

  LU4 0DZ

  
  

  Employer's website

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

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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