North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job overview
Are you organised, detail-focused and looking to start a career within NHS Pathology Services?
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our Blood Sciences Sample Reception team at Southmead Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity to support one of the region's busiest pathology services, helping to ensure that patient samples are received and processed.
This is a full-time developmental post, commencing at Band 2, with progression to Band 3 following a minimum of six months in post and successful completion of the required training programme.
Previous laboratory experience is not essential. Full training will be provided.
The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the Blood Sciences Laboratory. We are looking for individuals who can work accurately under pressure, have strong attention to detail, possess good IT and data entry skills, and can communicate professionally with patients, healthcare professionals and colleagues.
The postholder will be required to participate in a 24-hour rota, working a range of shifts including days, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Please note: This role is primarily focused on data input and sample reception activities, with some handling of pathology specimens. This is not a trainee Biomedical Scientist post and does not support completion of the HCPC Registration Portfolio.
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Main duties initially will include:
- Data input of patient details and test request information
- Sorting, preparation and processing of clinical samples for biological testing
- Assisting with Telephone Helpdesk enquiries
- Communicating test results to appropriate healthcare professionals.
Following progression to Band 3, duties include the following:
- Participating in Sample Referral workflow
- Working within the Blood Transfusion department including transportation of blood products across the Trust.
- Assisting with training new member of staff
- Deputising for Team Leaders as required
The postholder will be required to work a range of shifts between 08:00-08:00 including days, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
Training will take place during dayshift hours.
This advert may close early, if we have received a sufficient amount of applications. Therefore you are highly advised to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.
Working for our organisation
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 the South West has 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a full overview of the Job Description, please refer to the PDF Job Description attached as an additional document to this advert.
The postholder will work under the direction of senior staff to work as part of a team to provide 24/7 support to the Blood Sciences laboratory. The post will primarily operate in Sample Reception, providing data input and pre-analytical support.
The postholder must be able to deal with confidential information appropriately, be able to work accurately and to deadlines and be able to work with minimum supervision.
The Blood Sciences Sample Reception team support the working of the Blood Sciences Automated Laboratory. We have approximately 35 members of staff within our reception team who work across a variety of shifts to provide 24/7 support to the Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology laboratories.
The Blood Sciences Auto lab provides analysis of pathology samples for BFT Trust inpatients and outpatients and provides an analytical service to a large number of GP practices.
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
· 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 to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
· The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
· BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
· To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
· If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
· The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
· By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
· Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
IMPORTANT:
Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.
When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.
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