Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 279-7540405-OCT25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 02/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Microbiology Medical Laboratory Assistant
Band 3
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic person to join the Microbiology and Infection service based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital site, Brighton.
We invite applications for the permanent role of Medical Laboratory Assistant. This role is predominantly a data entry role, adding patient details into the laboratory information management system. Other tasks will include stock management and waste management.
Main duties of the job
We require a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our team. The post will involve supporting the department in providing diagnostic services and includes predominantly data entry; dealing with telephone enquiries; equipment maintenance; stock control and laboratory waste disposal. On occasion the post may involve some limit laboratory work.
The successful applicant must be detail focused, conscientious and enthusiastic and able to work well as part of a team and under sustained pressure.
You will need good keyboard skills as this role involves using the Laboratory computer system, therefore an ability to concentrate in a busy environment and accuracy under pressure are essential.
The successful applicant must also have good communication and IT skills.
The laboratory provides a 7 day service, including Bank Holidays, and an extended day. The successful applicant will be required to participate in late night, weekend and bank holiday shifts.
The role is full time (37.5 hrs per week) but applications for part time or flexible working requests will be considered.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
As an MLA you will work as part of the Microbiology team.
Duties include predominantly data entry (barcode labelling and data entry of confidential information into the laboratory computer system (Winpath). The department handles several sample types including: urine, faeces, blood, tissues, swabs and all other body fluids.
Dealing with in-person, telephone and email enquiries;
Storekeeping; stock rotation and control;
Laboratory waste disposal ensuring all waste is handled, stored and discarded safely.
A good general education to GCSE level or equivalent is required and experience in data entry is essential. Attention to detail to transfer key demographic information.
The service is divided into Clinical Bacteriology, Clinical Virology, and the Environmental departments. The work of each department is organised into work sections and then into work areas or (benches) according to the types of specimen and the investigations performed.
The department performs investigations include microscopy and culture for bacteria and fungi; serological assays for HIV, Hepatitis B and other viral and infectious diseases; molecular department including Sars-Cov2 and identification of lice , fleas and other parasites. In addition the department participates in surveillance schemes for MRSA and other healthcare associated infections, infection control, and handles specimens that may be involved in medico-legal proceedings. Environmental work involves testing water and other environmental samples from a broad geographical area covering Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and West Kent.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- English GCSE minimum grade 4
- Maths GCSE minimum grade 4
- Data Entry Experience
Desirable criteria
- Stock management experience
- Waste management experience
- NHS Microbiology lab experience
Skills
Essential criteria
- Able to concentrate for extended periods when interrupted on a frequent basis
- Able to store/utilise various types of stock weighting up yo 25kgs per container on a daily basis (<20 minutes)
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nicola Drew
- Job title
- Senior Biomedical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
Rita Conway, Reception Manager
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