Advanced Laboratory Support Worker

Oxford University Hospitals; Oxford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in Oxford is seeking a Band Advanced Laboratory Support Worker for its busy Microbiology department. The role involves supporting the microbiology team, processing samples, and maintaining laboratory data accurately. Ideal candidates will have experience in an NHS laboratory and relevant qualifications. This full-time position requires participation in varied shifts including nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience in an NHS diagnostic laboratory preferred.
• Practical laboratory work experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support microbiology team in service delivery.
• Enter patient and specimen data accurately into IT system.
• Receive and process samples (manual and automated).

Skills

Good communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Level BTEC Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science

QCF Level in Pathology Support

Job description

Job overview

The Microbiology Department, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital and part of the South Four Pathology Partnership Network, provides services to Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT, ICS BOB Primary Care, Oxford Health NHS, South Pathology Partnership, other NHS providers, private care, UKHSA, Oxford University, and research trials.

The department undertakes bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, serology, and molecular microbiology, using manual and automated methods, as well as highly specialised tasks requiring concentration, knowledge, experience, and skills.

The laboratory operates as a service, and successful applicants will participate in all shifts necessary to deliver service and patient care, including core day, evening, night, weekend, and bank holiday sessions. The post is full-time, with hours averaged over the shift pattern. The microbiology department is very busy, conducting just under a million tests per year.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will act as a Band Advanced Laboratory Support Worker within a busy Microbiology department. You should be enthusiastic, well-motivated, with good communication and attention to detail. Responsibilities include supporting the microbiology team in service delivery and pre-analytical processing of samples, entering patient and specimen data accurately into the Laboratory IT system, receiving and processing samples (manual and automated), handling sample reception queries, stock control, waste management, and other housekeeping duties.

Applicants should ideally have months of experience working in an NHS diagnostic laboratory as a Band , or practical laboratory work experience. The post holder should ideally hold a Level BTEC Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science, or QCF Level in Pathology Support, or an equivalent science qualification at QCF Level / .

Successful candidates must be conscientious, enthusiastic, capable of working well in a team and independently, demonstrating competence and autonomy to participate in all shift patterns required.