Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Biomedical
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent: Potential for working a variety of shift patterns, including evenings and weekends.
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Morning, evenings and weekends)
Job ref
249-6111559
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
GWH
Town
Swindon
Salary
£22,816 - £24,336 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level

Band 3

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

This post is responsible for working with the Specimen Reception Team Leader to supervise the day to day processes within Blood Sciences Specimen Reception.    This is involved with specimen preparation ensuring an efficient receipt, initial preparation and data processing service is given to the laboratory. This post operates in the Blood Sciences Specimen Reception, in conjunction with Team Leader, the Deputy Laboratory Manager, Lead Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical Support Workers, to form an integral part of the laboratory team to provide a cost effective and quality driven service. It covers core hours and Out of Hours as part of the 24 hour service provided by the laboratory.

Main duties of the job

  • To participate in training and supervision of BSW staff
  • To participate in the departmental audit schedule and investigation of incidents
  • To be able to make decisions regarding the quality of specimens, including mislabelled specimens
  • To follow laboratory procedures and policies
  • To plan and organise the allocated workload effectively,  including that of support workers
  • To carry out daily work file analysis to monitor workflow
  • To carry out daily BSW tasks in Specimen Reception, including specimen receipt and data entry

Working for our organisation

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To oversee the day to day work in the reception area assessing and prioritising the workload accordingly 
  • Act as first point of contact for reception team staff when anomalies arise in relation to inputting of pathology requests, reporting of pathology results or specimen reception and preparation
  • To provide rotas covering all shifts including weekends and bank holidays
  • Assist in new staff induction together with the identification and support of their training in the reception area
  • To ensure the maintenance, cleaning and disinfection of all work areas are carried out in line with pathology protocols

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • English & Maths GCSE or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Qualification in Clinical Laboratory Support or IT/Keyboard skills (NVQ 3 level) or equivalent
  • Evidence of training in Health & Safety and Quality
  • Qualification in a scientific subject

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in high throughput environment
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment
  • Experience training other staff members
  • Experience performing audits

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • PC and word processing experience
Desirable criteria
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kirk Allott
Job title
Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01793 607242
Additional information

Mr Andie Warren

Senior Biomedical Support Worker/Reception Supervisor 

Pathology 

 T:  01793 604287 

E: andie.warren@nhs.net 

 

 

Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies