Job vacancy: Assistant Technical Officer - Derriford Combined Lab, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth

Job summary

Main area: Assistant Technical Officer - Derriford Combined Lab
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract: Permanent: Hours of the post are 1 week of 0900-1730 and 1 week of 1200-2000
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Evenings, Weekends and Bank Holidays)
Job ref: 216-AH-C7162389

Employer: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Town: Plymouth
Salary: £24,169 Per Annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 19/06/2025 23:59

Assistant Technical Officer - Derriford Combined Lab

NHS AfC: Band 2

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests.
Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send-away samples are packaged and despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.
Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.
To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.
To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations
Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.
Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.
Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.
To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy.
Informing patients of the venepuncture procedure to be carried out in a caring reassuring manner that is aimed at their level of understanding.
To undertake work for which they have been trained which may take up to 2 months shadowing a trained member of staff.
To have sufficient knowledge and competence to rotate through sections of the laboratory as required.
Following SOPs record and inform requestors of rejected samples.
Prepare samples for analysis using techniques applicable to the areas of work – this may include attaching bar code labels, centrifugation, separation and prepare aliquots as required.
Book test requests into the laboratory computer system
To assist in the safe disposal of used specimens and waste products and the daily cleaning of laboratory work surfaces.
Assist in performing print runs of reports and their sorting for distribution as necessary. Assist in the maintenance of both hard copy and computer held reports.
To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non-clinical meetings.
To participate it the collection, receipt and safe storage of reagents and other supplies.
To maintain an adequate supply of clean glassware, make up solutions and collect chemicals from the various stores as required.
Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of diagnostic material.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

Proven understanding of need for patient confidentiality
Proven knowledge of Health & Safety issues
Use of IT equipment including a keyboard

Desirable criteria

Proven knowledge of tests performed and sent away by the department
Proven knowledge of all relevant Health and Safety legislation and its application to the section
Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory

Qualifications

Essential criteria

GCSE’s 9-4 (A-C) in Maths & English and NVQ level 2 in either business administration or related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential criteria

Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff at all levels of the organisation and patients with tact and diplomacy
Ability to effectively organise and prioritise own work
Attention to detail
Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst working within a busy environment
Time Management skills
Manual dexterity, including manipulation for protracted periods of the day
Good telephone manner
Multi-tasking skills
Transcription skills
Numeracy skills
Meet key targets following training once the necessary level of experience has been achieved

Desirable criteria

Good interpersonal skills
Working proven knowledge of PIMS
Working proven knowledge of relevant laboratory information management systems

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

For Doctors Roles:

Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.

We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.

In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.

We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.

Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.

In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.