Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology (Part Time

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; Ilford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a part-time staff member for the Microbiology Department. The role requires A-Level or NVQ Level 3 in a science-related field and entails processing clinical specimens, working across different laboratory sections, and contributing to a high-volume workload. The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic, reliable, and possess strong communication skills. This position offers formal training and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Formal training and ongoing performance appraisals

Qualifications

• You must have A-Level or NVQ Level 3 qualifications in a science-related subject or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Be flexible and collaborative in a busy department.

Responsibilities

• Process clinical specimens for testing according to standard operating procedures.
• Work across sections of the laboratory on a rotational basis.
• Be involved in manual methods and maintenance of analyzers.

Skills

Enthusiastic

Reliable

Strong written communication

Strong verbal communication

Computer literate

Education

A-Level or NVQ Level 3 in a science-related subject

Job description

We are looking for part-time ( Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 22.5 hours/week) staff member who is enthusiastic, well-motivated, and reliable individual to join our friendly team in the Microbiology Department at BHR University Hospitals Trust. The department operates across two sites: Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes. While the primary base will be Queens Hospital, the successful candidate will also be required to work at King George Hospital as needed.

Applicants should possess A-Level or NVQ Level 3 qualifications ideally in a science-related subject or have equivalent experience in a similar role. You must be computer literate, able to follow standard operating procedures, and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a keen willingness to learn.

The successful candidate will receive formal training both within the Trust and the Microbiology Department. Ongoing performance will be monitored through regular appraisals and laboratory-based competency assessments.

The role involves working across sections of the laboratory on a rotational basis and weekend duties, however initially for training purposes you will be working 3 weekdays before you start the weekend duties.

As a busy department, we require team members who are flexible and collaborative to help us manage and process a high daily workload efficiently. The post also involves working flexible hours during the week, as well as weekends and bank holidays. The post holder will receive, prepare and process clinical specimens for testing, within standard operating procedures. She / he / they will work in all areas of the laboratory on a rotational basis, including cross-site working between Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital. Specimen processing will include manual methods and basic maintenance, loading and trouble‑shooting of analysers within the boundary of the role. The post holder will be expected to undertake regular competence assessment to assure delivery of a high quality service and facilitate personal development.

Working for our organisation

We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with. We’re no longer in special measures; we’ve opened two new theatres at our Elective Surgical Hub in King George Hospital (KGH); and Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, has been named the top CEO by the Health Service Journal.

We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 330,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care.

Our patients are benefitting from our Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch.

These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and are providing an extra 88,000 scans a year.

The majority of our 8,000 staff – who come from 146 different countries – live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

We’re looking forward to introducing an electronic patient record that will be transformative for our staff and beneficial for our patients. Ensuring people settle in and feel part of our Trust straight away is one of our top priorities. We hold two corporate welcome events each month and, if successful, you will start on one of these days so we can provide you with a seamless and welcoming introduction to our Trust.

We believe that providing the highest quality of care is about having the best people, inspired and supported by the best leaders, and backed by the best training and career development opportunities. Our vision is to provide outstanding healthcare to our community, delivered with pride. It is driven by our PRIDE values and behaviours which were developed together with our staff.

Safeguarding

Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust is committed to Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults is central to the care provided by our Trust and the post holder must be aware of their responsibilities and work in line with our Trust’s Safeguarding Adult and Children Procedures.

Salary & Benefits

All salaries are inclusive of standard allowances e.g. High Cost Area for staff on Agenda for Change contracts.

Diversity and Inclusion

To create an inclusive and diverse workplace, we will work with you to get the best experience, so that you can provide outstanding care for our local community. We are happy to have an open discussion on part‑time hours and flexible working and will consider your requirements if our service is able to accommodate. Please have discussion with the recruiting manager about your flexibility requirements.

Application Process

All correspondence regarding this application will be by e‑mail, please check as some emails may fall into your junk folder.

Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. Please ensure business/organisation email addresses are provided for all referees.

Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) uses TrustID identification technology to verify essential documents, such as passports and driving licenses. All new employees will be expected to have their original documents verified through TrustID.

In line with UKVI guidelines BHRUT is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for Band 2 or Band 3 positions.

We may close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received and to support with streamlining the recruitment process.

Unfortunately due to the large number of applications that the Trust receives for some posts, it is not possible to reply to every unsuccessful application.

If you have not received a response within 3 weeks of the closing date of an advert, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Health & Safety

Trust buildings and grounds became fully Smoke Free on National No Smoking Day 11th March 2015. The Trust expects all staff to promote healthy living and to set good examples in their own behaviour. Those not ready to quit smoking must remain smoke free during working hours, and will not be able to smoke in Trust uniform, in Trust grounds including car parks, while driving on Trust business or take smoking breaks. Second hand smoke causes heart and lung disease, and is harmful to young children. However, disposable or rechargeable e‑cigarettes ("vaping") may be used outside hospital buildings.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community and welcomes applications from people wishing to job‑share, either with or without a partner. Applicants who consider themselves to have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria. We also operate strict screening procedures for posts with access to vulnerable adults and children.