Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 216-LT-DB8030819
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Assistant Technical Officer
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
We are seeking a motivated & organised individual to support the delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service within the Automated Chemistry Section or Chemistry Special Investigations (CSI). Working with Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Associate Practitioners (AP) and Assistant Technical Officers (ATO), the post holder will contribute to the smooth running of the service.
The role focuses on the coordination and administration of National External Quality Assurance (EQA) schemes, including preparation, distribution, tracking, analysis, and timely reporting of results. The post holder will maintain accurate EQA records, ensure appropriate storage throughout all stages, support troubleshooting, and assist with ordering materials and documentation.
Duties also include supporting laboratory operations, such as use and maintenance of analytical equipment, reagent replenishment, calibration and quality control processes, and assisting in the analysis of patient and EQA samples in line with SOPs.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
To support clerical and technical duties within the Automated Chemistry Section or Chemistry Special Investigations (CSI), working as part of a multidisciplinary team with Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Assistant Technical Officers to ensure the efficient running of the service.
The post holder will assist in the administration of National External Quality Assurance (EQA) schemes, including preparation, distribution, analysis, result collation and timely reporting. They will maintain accurate records of EQA from receipt to reporting and ensure appropriate storage throughout all stages. Responsibilities include supporting troubleshooting of EQA material, assisting with ordering and documentation, and contributing to the set-up of EQA specimens on NPEX.
The role will involve operation and basic maintenance of analytical equipment, including reagent replenishment, management of IQC and calibration materials, and analysis of patient and EQA samples in line with SOPs. The post holder will also assist with raising non-conformances (DATIX), participate in audits, and support the department’s quality management system, including data entry for COSHH, MSDS and asset records.
Additional duties include supporting stock control systems and, where required, assisting with ATO tasks such as automated track operation, aliquoting specimens and general laboratory housekeeping.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- To plan and prioritise own work under supervision of an Associate Practitioner/Biomedical Scientist and be fully aware of service requirements.
- To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
- To work as part of the quality team to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS ISO15189:2022.
- Uses Q Pulse to record Automated Chemistry activities and issues such as NCWs, audits, documentation, as directed.
- To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
- Respond to telephone enquiries within the area of work from staff in both primary and secondary care, (subject to departmental telephone SOPs).
- To participate in the performance of audits as directed by Associate Practitioners/BMS.
- To assist in the administration of departmental National External Quality Assurance schemes (EQA) including the preparation, distribution, result collation and sending reports back to the scheme organisers/departments, as directed and in accordance with procedures (SOP).
- To perform operation of analytical equipment to include maintenance, replenishing of reagents, ordering and loading of IQC and calibration material and perform analysis of patient and EQA specimens within Automated Chemistry.
T
For further information please see attached job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE in English and 2 other subjects, or equivalent.
- NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification (i.e. 2 A levels at least one in a science subject) or Considerable and demonstrable laboratory experience to a level of an NVQ level 3
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstratable experience in a laboratory environment
- Good knowledge of laboratory computer systems – i.e. APEX, DMS, NPEX and AMS
- Demonstrable experience in data input, including creation and use of spreadsheets.
Desirable criteria
- Awareness of reagent and stock control.
- Knowledge of Quality Assurance procedures and EQA schemes
Aptitude and abilities
Essential criteria
- Keyboard skills with a working knowledge of laboratory computer systems
- Organisational skills
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of spreadsheets and databases
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties 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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sally Saphir
- Job title
- Section Lead Clinical Biochemistry
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 430868
List jobs with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors