Apprentice Healthcare Science Associate - Medical Microbiology

Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust seeks an Apprentice Healthcare Science Associate to join the Chester & Wirral Microbiology Service laboratory. The role includes providing laboratory support, studying towards a relevant qualification, and working under experienced professionals. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a commitment to learning.

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in Biomedical Science or Full BSc in a Science required.
• Laboratory experience is desirable.
• Must demonstrate effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Commit to study and attend training sessions virtually and in-person.
• Assist in lab tasks under the guidance of senior staff.
• Complete the apprenticeship training program.

Skills

Communication

Time Management

Commitment to Learning

Education

Foundation Degree in Biomedical Science

Full BSc in a Science

Job description

To discover why you should consider applying for a role at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, please watch our video and hear directly from our staff about what it's truly like to work at WUTH and its surrounding areas: https://youtu.be/Z5oMaNXprn8

Job overview

A vacancy has arisen for an Apprentice Healthcare Science Associate (Band 4) to join our team at the Chester & Wirral Microbiology Service laboratory in Bromborough, Wirral.

Core hours of work will be 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday. Weekend working is typically 1 in 4. Night shifts 8pm - 8am towards the existing 24/7 rota are contractual.

Good communication skills and an excellent telephone manner are advantageous. Current laboratory experience essential.

Experience in microbiology or molecular biology would be advantageous but not essential as training will be provided.

This is a full-time post, and the post holder will need to commit to study, attend relevant training sessions virtually and in person; and there is an expectation that the post holder will successfully complete the apprenticeship training programme. The post holder will receive 20% off the job training to fulfil the apprenticeship standard and this includes time needed to attend tutorials and presentations from the education provider. On successful completion of the probationary period and the apprenticeship course the post holder will be offered the permanent post of Healthcare Science Associate (Agenda for change, Band 4).

Main duties of the job

Please see Job overview & attached Job description for further information about the Healthcare Science Associate - Medical Microbiology position available with WUTH.

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job overview & attached Job description for further information about the Healthcare Science Associate - Medical Microbiology position available with WUTH.

Person specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential criteria

• Foundation Degree in Biomedical Science or Full BSc in a Science

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a laboratory environment

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate and relate effectively, clearly, and professionally at all levels.
• Good time management skills
• Commitment to learning. Shows a positive and enthusiastic attitude

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate and relate effectively, clearly and professionally at all levels.
• Comply with Trust Health & Safety Policy and Procedures. Maintain confidentiality in line with Trust's Policies.

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria

Should this vacancy be recruited as an apprenticeship, the following criteria will apply:

UK nationals or other persons with a right of abode have an eligible residency status if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK or the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of the apprenticeship.

You are required to apply for this role via apps.trac.jobs and this is where you will be able to track the progress of your application. This will ensure we deal with your application quickly and efficiently.

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application throughout the process.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust viewing and managing the information contained in the application.

Please note; that if you are offered a position, your personal details will automatically be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system (ESR).

The Trust reserves the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum amount of applications from which to make a shortlist. To prevent this happening please complete and submit your application without delay.

Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing a DBS application is met by the successful applicant/s. DBS costs are recovered via salary deduction following starting in post.

If the post you are applying for requires a DBS - Inline with Trust policy the cost of submitting and processing a DBS for successful applications would be met by the individual themselves. The amount would vary depending on the level required: Standard Disclosure £21.50+£6.50 or Enhanced Disclosure £49.50+£6.50 (please be aware the additional sum is an administration fee and may increase due to inflation). This will be deducted from your salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment.

The Trust would encourage all post holders who require a DBS for their role to registered with the DBS Update Service. You can find out more information and guidance on how to do this at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.

The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link:

New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all unborn babies, children and adults and is signed up to both the Wirral Safeguarding Childrens Partnership and the Wirral Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board associated policies and procedures. All Trust staff must be familiar with, and adhere to these procedures. It is the post holders responsibility to attended the Trusts mandatory training Protecting Vulnerable People training, and to follow the relevant Trusts polices and practice guidance.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 168.7KB)
• OH Risk ID form (PDF, 148.9KB)
• Guidance Notes for Applicants (PDF, 734.3KB)
• Vision Values Behaviours (PDF, 515.6KB)
• WUTH GDPR Privacy Notice for applicants DBS - May 2022 (PDF, 290.4KB)