Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 252-7341194-A
- Employer
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Darent Valley Hospital
- Town
- Dartford
- Salary
- £25,768 per annum inclusive of allowances
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Microbiology Laboratory Porter
NHS AfC: Band 2
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a departmental Porter to join our pathology Team within Microbiology. We are seeking an individual with a careful, conscientious and reliable work ethic. You will receive full induction and training so previous experience within this role is preferable, but not required. You will work in close relation with the laboratory staff within a busy laboratory environment. Duties will include manual handling tasks, working closely with receptionist staff and Biomedical scientists.
This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.
Please note, this post will close earlier than the given closing date once a sufficent number of applications have been recieved.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will alongside laboratory staff within a busy laboratory environment, Working closely with reception staff and Biomedical scientists, duties will include manual handling tasks as well as assisting delivering drivers with collecting or transporting items and receiving goods in and signing goods out The post holder will be an individual with a careful, conscientious and reliable work ethic. A full induction and training will be given so whilst previous experience within this role is preferable, it is not essential.
Working for our organisation
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Assisting delivery drivers with collecting or transporting items. Goods in and out collaboration. Managing daily media delivery, collecting and unpacking. Signing delivery notes. Maintaining cleanliness and stock control within a walk-in cold room. The ability to work within a cold environment for short periods is essential.
Dealing with routine delivery enquiries and orders or complex details relating to delivery or ordering notifications.
Training of new and existing staff by demonstrating activities of the role.
Follow Health and Safety protocols and laboratory Standards of Operational procedures in disinfecting waste material using autoclave systems. You will be responsible for the daily, weekly and Monthly maintenance of the Autoclaves and the transportation and disposal of the laboratory waste material within stringent Health and Safety guidelines. Additional to the role, you will be responsible for any issues arising from the autoclaving area and provide minimal trouble shooting for the equipment. Responsibilities will also include contacting engineers if unable to resolve issues.
You will also be responsible for maintenance of gas cylinders. These will need to be changed when empty and ordered when stocks are running low. These are stored outside the premises within the loading bays. This will involve using tools to tighten and loosen valves, so physical fitness is essential. Managing the cleanliness of this area would also be expected.
Clean equipment carefully for use of others and post holder. Cleaning schedule to be agreed with the Head of Microbiology.
Additional duties will involve supporting the laboratory staff with filing, scanning and transporting of request forms, as well as transporting samples from reception area to the main laboratory with the use of a trolley system.
Escalation of issues and queries, e.g., that fall outside the standard operating procedures.
Please see attached job description for further information.
Person specification
Education and Training
Essential criteria
- GCSE in English and Maths
Desirable criteria
- Scientific background
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Health and Safety procedures and legislation
- Good communication skills both written and verbal
Desirable criteria
- Stock control and ordering systems.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Accurate implementation of work procedures
- Physical skills developed for accuracy and manipulation of fine tools.
Desirable criteria
- Previous Portering or stock control experience
- Familiar with gas cylinders
- Previous employment within a hospital setting
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
- Rachael Jeremiah
- Job title
- Head of Microbiology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01322 428733
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