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Job summary

Main area
West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, Birmingham Women's Hospital
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
284-25-7472044-DMUT
Employer
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Birmingham Women's Hospital
Town
Birmingham
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Science Assistant

Band 4

Flexible working arrangements may be considered and discussions with the recruiting manager regarding this are encouraged.  

Job overview

The West Midlands Genomics Laboratory in Birmingham is recruiting a number of permanent Healthcare Science Assistant (AfC Band 4) posts, both for current vacancies and pre-emptively for future positions that may become available. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals committed to a career in laboratory diagnostic genomics to join our dynamic team.  Healthcare Science Assistant posts are available across our technical teams and provide valuable technical support within a laboratory setting.

 

We are looking for individuals with appropriate qualifications and experience, with previous practical laboratory experience being desirable. The WMGL has an excellent record as a training laboratory offering training across all levels of the healthcare science career pathway. We are very much committed to continuous development and have active seminar programmes available to all staff. Full competence-based training will be given.

 

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Science Assistant (Band 4) provides technical support to Genetic Technologists and Clinical Scientists by performing a range of routine laboratory tasks independently and accurately with minimal supervision. Appointment will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Applicants must be comfortable using a computer, be enthusiastic, flexible and able to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.  An interest in genetics in a clinical laboratory environment is essential, as is working in a laboratory-based role performing genetic laboratory techniques to deliver patient care.

 

Interview dates:            TBC

 

 

Informal enquiries welcome, please contact Rachel Dunn on 0121 335 8036 or [email protected]

Working for our organisation

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world-leading neo-natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.

Birmingham Children's Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.

Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of two dedicated women's hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0-25 years old.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. 

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable). 

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Two or more A levels in Science subjects, including Biology (grade A-C); or equivalent qualifications
Desirable criteria
  • BSc in a Biological Science or equivalent experience
  • Active participation in CPD

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good attention to detail

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of Health Safety
  • Previous practical laboratory experience at career framework 3-4 or equivalent
  • Understanding of Quality Management System's
Desirable criteria
  • Significant laboratory experience
  • Basic understanding of the principles of human diagnostic genetic testing
  • Experience of genetic laboratory techniques

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Good technical skills
  • Computer literate (Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint & Word)
Desirable criteria
  • Supervisory skills
  • Training/Coaching skills

Personal Skills/Abilities & Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work within a team but also on own with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible approach to work

Other Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Interest in genetics in a clinical environment
  • To include late and early cover, bank holiday and weekend working as required,

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident leaderCare quality commission - GoodStonewall Silver 2022Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Disability confident committedInvesting in VolunteersHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachel Dunn
Job title
Technical Programme Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01213358036
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