Associate Practitioner - Microbiology

Wye Valley Nhs Trust; Hereford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Wye Valley NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Biomedical Laboratory Assistant to join the Microbiology department. The role involves routine and support functions under supervision, acting as the primary point of contact to ensure smooth operation of the laboratory and to acquire technical knowledge of complex instruments and test principles.

You will handle specimens, perform quality control, troubleshoot equipment, and manage samples using LIMS, while maintaining stocks and ensuring timely

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs grade C/4 or above (preferably in a science subject).
• Training in biological science to diploma level or IBMS qualification or equivalent.
• Ability to provide and receive complex information relating to Microbiology tests/equipment.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety in Pathology laboratories.
• Experience using IT programmes, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Significant laboratory experience.
• Experience preparing samples for analysis, including pre/post-analytical checks.

Responsibilities

• Receipt, handling and triaging of biological specimens.
• Internal quality control and external quality assurance procedures.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance of systems.
• Sample preparation and processing.
• Manage daily workload and prioritise tests to meet turnaround times.
• Operate automated/semi-automated analyser systems.
• Enter patient data into LIMS and ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Package samples for transport to other laboratories in line with law.

Skills

Laboratory experience

MS Office

Teamwork

Health & Safety

Microbiology knowledge

IT skills

Education

Diploma in Biological Science

GCSEs in science (Grade C/4)

IBMS qualification (achievement/diploma)

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Job summary

The post holder will perform routine and support functions for the Microbiology service, under supervision from the qualified biomedical scientific staff in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder will be the primary point of contact for the department providing consistency and stability to the running of a busy Microbiology Laboratory. The post holder will be expected to acquire technical knowledge including specialised knowledge of complex instruments and test principles to support the lead Biomedical Scientist.

Main duties of the job

• Receipt, handling and triaging of biological specimens. This will involve handling specimens posing a potential risk of infection.
• To undertake internal quality control and external quality assurance procedures to ensure accuracy and reliability of results produced.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Sample preparation
• Use judgment and time management skills to manage daily workload, ensuring appropriate prioritisation of tests to meet the needs and requirement of users and agreed turnaround times.
• To operate automated and semi-automated analyser systems
• To perform technical and clerical tasks.
• Participate in post analytical sample handling, including unloading, sorting, storing and retrieving samples.
• Maintain adequate stocks of reagents and consumables
• Enter patient request data onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Package samples requiring to be sent to other laboratories for analysis in line with legal requirements for the transport of biological substances.
• Enter results from referral laboratories into the LIMS system.

About us

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust - they tell us it's a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time...all the time.

Details

Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 29 October 2026

Essential qualifications and experience

• 4 GCSE's grade C/4 or above (1 preferably in a science subject)
• Training in biological science to diploma level or higher (e.g. HNC, HND) or IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2 or Diploma/HNC/HND or higher in relevant science subject or relevant experience/equivalent level of knowledge
• Ability to provide and receive complex information relating to Microbiology tests and equipment
• Knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety practice in Pathology laboratories
• Experience of using a range of IT programmes, including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Significant experience in a laboratory environment.
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis including pre and post analytical checking

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer contact: Microbiology Laboratory Manager, M J Thomas, [e-mail], 01432355444