Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekend, Bank holidays, core and late shifts Monday to Sunday)
- Job ref
- 252-7430419
- Employer
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Darent Valley Hospital
- Town
- Dartford
- Salary
- £26,240 - £27,928 per annum inclusive of allowances
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Healthcare Science Support Worker - Microbiology
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
We are looking for a hard working enthusiastic person to join our Pathology team working in the Microbiology department. This is a role where you will learn a broad range of skills whilst processing specimens from patients.
You must be a careful, conscientious and reliable worker. Following induction and training you will be able to work without close supervision in a busy environment, have a good telephone manner and be at ease using the computer system and laboratory instrumentation.
As a team-player and excellent communicator, you will need to demonstrate attention to detail whilst processing patients’ specimens and entering data into the computer systems. There are also a wide range of other tasks that form part of this varied and interesting job.
Hours of work include early shifts 8:00am to 16:30pm and late shifts 12:30pm to 21:00pm. These shifts are part of a rolling program that includes weekend working. When contracted hours are worked at weekends, rest days are provided during the week.
Experience of working in the NHS would be desirable and you do not need to have a scientific or medical qualification.
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, that this post may close earlier than the given closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be expected to perform a range of routine and non routine tasks within Microbiology, for example, performing standard tests on clinical samples, entering patient results into the Laboratory system, labeling clinical samples, communicating with patient and Trust Users by supporting with queries and advising on appropriate samples and containers for specific clinical tests , working with a selection of Microbiology analysers as well as supervising and / or training less experienced staff in their own area.
The department welcomes individuals who are keen to learn and develop their skills. Working with a vibrant team and supporting environment with a passion dedicated to patient care , quality and safety.
The Microbiology department provides training and support to staff and demonstrates great work ethics and encourages advancement. We are a culture of continuous improvement and achievements. Great support network within the department and throughout the Trust.
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 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 of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our 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
Technical responsibilities:
Adhering to Trust and departmental policies, guidelines and quality standards.
Supporting the work of BMS staff working within the laboratory.
Working at all times according to departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
Preparing and processing a range of clinical samples for testing, running automated tests on laboratory analysers as well as processing manual tests.
Entering test results on to the Laboratory information system.
Performing daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on all analytical equipment within the laboratory.
Analysing daily and weekly quality control tests and only accepting values within defined criteria.
Informing BMS staff of any issues, inconsistencies or inaccuracies with QC analysed
Preparing and processing External Quality Assessment samples.
Maintaining and checking the daily stocks of reagents, kits and consumables required for and loading reagents on to analysers.
Monitoring stock levels within the Department and advising BMS staff if supplies fall below minimum stock levels.
Assisting with the maintenance of UKAS accreditation
Assisting in the maintenance of departmental procedures, policies and documentation
Liaising with service users, laboratory personnel and other Trust personnel.
Dealing effectively, professionally and politely with telephone enquiries.
Dealing with unsuitable samples and / or requests.
Maintaining test turnaround times by dealing with samples in a timely manner.
Undertaking appropriate tasks, new techniques or other developmental activities as required by the line manager.
Performing any other duties appropriate to the post and grade, as required directed by the line manager.
Ensuring that the department is kept clean, tidy and safe at all times.
Please see attached job description for further information.
Person specification
Education and Training
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification.
- Basic skills to include literacy and numeracy
- GCSE maths and English
Desirable criteria
- Extensive training in a laboratory in any Pathology discipline
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Basic knowledge of Health and Safety within laboratory environment
- Able to operate and maintain laboratory analysers
- Able to process biological specimens
- Computer literate
- Good keyboard skills
- Good communication / interpersonal skills
- Ability to multitask
- Well-developed concentration skills
- Ability to work accurately under pressure
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of clinical sample types within Microbiology
- Knowledge of Laboratory computer system
- Computer literate with specified LIMs system
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in working within a team
- Experience of working within a fast paced setting.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in working as Laboratory assistant or within a laboratory setting
- Data analysis experience or previous working in specimen reception environment
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
- 01322428733
- Additional information
Rachael Jeremiah, telephone 01322 428733, email [email protected]
List jobs with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors