Associate Practitioner Microbiology

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks an Associate Practitioner to join their Microbiology Department. The role involves performing scientific procedures and ensuring accurate lab results under supervision. Candidates must have relevant laboratory experience and be committed to high-quality patient care. Both full-time and part-time positions are available, emphasizing flexible working options. This is a permanent role with a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years laboratory experience is necessary.
• Science based GCSEs are preferred.
• Ideally working towards HCPC portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Perform scientific procedures on biological samples under supervision.
• Contribute to the monitoring of infectious diseases.
• Participate in quality control and assurance procedures.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Good laboratory practice

Communication skills

Education

3 GCSE passes graded A to C or 1 A level

NVQ Level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our busy and friendly Microbiology Department as an Associate Practitioner. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within diagnostic laboratory services and contribute to high‑quality patient care.

Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week

Part‑time, 22.5 hours per week

Includes Saturday (approx. 1:6) and Sunday (approx. 1:9) and participation in the Bank Holiday rota. (8am‑4pm)

Key Responsibilities

• Perform a range of scientific and technical procedures on biological samples under the supervision of qualified staff
• Contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of infectious diseases and other pathological conditions
• Support the delivery of timely and accurate laboratory results
• Make informed decisions within your scope of practice to ensure high‑quality outcomes
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast‑paced environment

About Us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital‑based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Our workforce is more than 7 000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient‑centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation – this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex‑positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs: If a DBS check is required, the cost will be deducted from salary. Please see link in Supporting Information.

Job Description

As an Associate Practitioner in the Microbiology Department, the post holder will contribute to the provision of the clinical laboratory service, performing work activities in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and under the supervision of qualified staff.

The Associate Practitioner will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other pathological processes.

After suitable training and competence assessment, the post holder will use practical skills to perform tasks associated with the pre‑analytical preparation of specimens; conduct preliminary analyses on a limited range of culture investigations and perform a range of automated analyses using highly complex laboratory equipment.

These tasks are of a more advanced nature than those of a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA).

Specific Microbiology Duties Include

• Follow good laboratory practice in line with professional guidelines and UKAS standards.
• Inoculation of specimens for culture, including urines, swabs, body fluids, respiratory samples and faeces.
• Deal promptly and appropriately with any sample identified as urgent to ensure that timely and accurate results are available to the requester.
• Assist in the analysis of routine and urgent clinical samples using specialist optical, manual, semi‑automated and fully automated laboratory equipment.
• Preparation of samples for microscopy, including swabs, faeces and body fluids.
• Reading and recording results of a limited number of chromogenic cultures.
• ELISA or other automated or semi‑automated instruments.
• Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests (using both manual and automated techniques).
• Processing and recording of IQC, reporting any out‑of‑range results to BMS staff.
• Processing and recording of pre‑acceptance testing of reagents, reporting any out‑of‑range results to BMS staff.
• Participate in the maintenance of the quality system by participating in QC and EQA schemes.
• Take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
• Daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of equipment.
• Carry out first‑line troubleshooting of equipment or methods, keeping a proper record of all actions and communications.
• Assist with the cleaning and decontamination of laboratory equipment and benches.
• Safe discard of waste materials.
• Tracking, storage and retrieval of samples.
• Reagent preparation and stock control.
• General housekeeping duties within the Microbiology lab.
• Report incidents, accidents and defects according to Trust and Directorate guidelines.
• Participate in the regular review and update of the Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures as directed by the Departmental Quality Manager or Deputy.
• Participate in departments extended working day and provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday periods as required.
• Any other appropriate duties as designated by a senior member of staff.
• May be requested to carry out duties performed by Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) to maintain effective operation of the department.

Asset Management Responsibilities (i.e. Stock, Equipment, Buildings)

• Maintain adequate stocks by reporting shortages to Senior Staff.
• Use all equipment safely and responsibly, in accordance with Health & Safety legislation.

Training and Development

• Undertake any internal and external training identified by the Trust.
• Undertake a structured training and development programme to acquire core competencies matched to the National Occupational Standards and maintain required standards of competence.
• Ideally working towards the HCPC portfolio.
• Achieve appropriate levels of competence required by the laboratory Competency Assessment Programme.
• Develop and improve scientific expertise via CPD within an appraisal programme; maintain a portfolio of achievements.
• Undertake duties in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate working procedures and communicate knowledge to others.
• Train less‑experienced staff as part of the training process.
• Answer telephone requests for results, urgent requests and direct calls.
• Behave courteously and considerately with colleagues and service users.

Person Specification

Essential

• 3 GCSE passes graded A to C or 1 A level
• A minimum of 2 years laboratory experience

Desirable

• Science based GCSEs
• A Level in science subject
• NVQ Level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent qualification.
• Foundation degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer details

Employer name: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD

Website: https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/

Reference number: C9365‑25‑1113

Date posted: 06 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27 485 to £30 162 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working