Bank Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job OverviewWe are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and dynamic individual to join our dedicated team within the Pathology Specimen Reception Department at Frimley Park Hospital.This is a Bank position with flexible working opportunities, making it ideal for someone seeking adaptable hours in a fast-paced and supportive healthcare environment.What We’re Looking ForWhile no formal qualifications or prior experience are required, we are seeking someone who can demonstrate:Excellent typing and data entry skills Strong attention to detail A positive, proactive approach to work Excellent interpersonal and communication skills The ability to work efficiently in a busy, team-oriented setting If you’re passionate about contributing to patient care behind the scenes and are eager to gain experience in a vital NHS support role, we’d love to hear from you.Join us and help make a difference.Please note: this role is not suitable for recent graduates looking for progression into the Biomedical Scientist role.Main duties of the jobAs a Bank Medical Laboratory Assistant, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the smooth running of the Pathology department. Your duties will include receiving, sorting, and preparing blood, bodily fluid, and other specimens, accurately labelling samples, and entering patient data into the Pathology computer system. You’ll also assist with general laboratory and clerical tasks within Blood Sciences, ensuring timely specimen turnaround to support diagnostic services.You should be organised, flexible, and able to work independently as well as part of a team. Excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and confidence in handling data and patient information are essential. A friendly and professional approach is key when working with both staff and patients.Purpose of the role: To support the delivery of an efficient Pathology service through accurate sample handling and data entry, contributing to high-quality patient care.About us: The Pathology Laboratory at Frimley Park Hospital is part of Berkshire Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) – a collaborative network between Ashford & St Peter’s, Frimley Health, Royal Berkshire, and Royal Surrey County Hospitals NHS Trusts. BSPS performs around 20 million tests annually, serving over 2 million people, with services running 7 days a week across NHS and private healthcare sectors.Working for our organisationFrimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.Frimley Health Trust benefits on VimeoDetailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities To work as part of a team to provide a high-quality service to all users of the Pathology Department. Applicant must be able to work night shifts when and if required to meet service needs. Maintain good communication with the Specimen Reception Team Leader to minimise errors, set priorities, and ensure all work is completed within the working day. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with senior laboratory staff. Receive, sort, and accurately label patient samples including blood, bodily fluids, and other materials for laboratory processing. Assist in the electronic production and distribution of pathology reports via post or fax. Accurately input patient and sample data into the Pathology computer system in line with departmental procedures. Handle incoming telephone enquiries directed to Specimen Reception, including:Providing pathology results for Haematology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology where appropriate. Redirecting calls to the relevant laboratory or clinical area when necessary. Liaise with external laboratories for investigations or tests not performed in-house. Notify relevant Consultants, Doctors, or Nursing staff—either over the phone or face-to-face—if an incorrect sample or incomplete information has been received. Advise staff on appropriate specimen collection procedures in line with the Pathology Handbook. Provide patients with information regarding 24-hour urine collection procedures over the phone and in person. Direct patients requesting results to the appropriate requesting clinician. Receive and assist all visitors to the laboratory in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner. Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately in line with Trust policies. Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.Person specificationAbilityEssential criteriaAbility to work to tight deadlinesAbility to pay attention to detailFlexibility with working hoursDesirable criteriaBasic Knowledge of Medical TerminologyExperienceEssential criteriaGood keyboard skillsExperience of working in a busy environmentGood team playerDesirable criteriaA can do attitude to workAbility to work on ownExperience of working in a specimen reception department in pathologyExperience working with Laboratory applications Winpath, Enterprise etc.FlexibilityEssential criteriaAble to work night shifts if/when requiredFrimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first.We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities. This includes the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand-new £100m state-of-the-art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services.We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and future-proofed, featuring on-site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Through our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to helps us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations.Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care.Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together.Apply online now