Band 4 Associate Practitioner (Microbiology)

BHR Hospitals; Romford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

BHR University Hospitals Trust is seeking a Band 4 Associate Practitioner in Microbiology for Romford. The post involves working across two sites with a primary base at King George Hospital, Goodmayes, and occasional work at Queen’s Hospital Romford.

A foundation degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent is required, with formal Trust training and ongoing competency assessments provided. The role demands flexibility, including weekends and bank holidays, to support a seven-day service.

Qualifications

• Foundation degree in laboratory science or equivalent qualification required.
• Experience in a Microbiology diagnostic laboratory beneficial.
• Knowledge of Quality control procedures desirable.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through the various sections of Microbiology under Biomedical Scientist supervision.
• Enter patient demographics, test requests, results and comments on the Pathology computer system with accuracy.
• Perform investigations on patient samples, including manual and automated techniques on analysers.
• Safely handle and dispose of patient samples and hazardous materials as required.

Skills

Complex analysers

Education

Foundation degree in laboratory science

Job description

Band 4 Associate Practitioner (Microbiology)

Band 4

Main area QH Microbiology Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week Job ref 162-8056-CCS

Site QH Microbiology Town Romford Salary £33,262 - £36,027 Per Annum inclusive/ part time pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 01/11/2026 23:59

PEOPLE are at the HEART of everything we do

This video gives a flavour of what it is like to work at our Trust and why some of our staff love working here

We are seeking an enthusiastic, well-motivated and reliable person to join our friendly team in the Microbiology department at BHR University Hospitals Trust. The department is based on two sites; Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes. The King George Hospital site is the current primary work base, however working at the Queen’s Hospital site will be required.
You should have a science-based foundation degree, preferably Biomedical Science, or equivalent qualification. You will be computer literate, have the ability to follow procedures, have good written/verbal communication skills and an enthusiasm for learning. The post holder will receive formal training within the Trust as well as within the Microbiology Department. Performance will be assessed regularly by an appraisal system and laboratory based competence assessment.
The post holder will work in all areas of the laboratory on a rotational basis, including the bacteriology sections based at Queens Hospital.
The position requires staff to work flexible hours during the week as well as at weekends and bank holidays, providing a seven day working week service.
We are a very busy department and require staff to work as a team to allow us to efficiently process the daily work load.

Main duties of the job

Rotate through the various sections of Microbiology, working under the direction of Biomedical Scientists

For Microbiology requests, enter patient demographics, test request information, results and comments, taking responsibility for accuracy of new information entered onto the Pathology computer system database

Perform investigations on patient samples, ranging from specialised manual techniques to automated investigations on expensive and technically sophisticated analysers

To safely handle, use or dispose of patients samples including blood, urine, faeces or other biological material, and hazardous chemicals/materials.

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.

They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission.

We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 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.

We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.

We run a 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. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The majority of our 8,400 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Sarah woods, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 Ext. 4188. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

• Holds or currently working towards Foundation degree in laboratory science, IBMS Certificate of Achievement part II, or non-IBMS accredited science-based degree or diploma which is not eligible for registration with the Health Care Professions Council.

Experience/ Knowledge

• Experience in a Microbiology diagnostic laboratory
• Experience in a NHS laboratory
• Knowledge of Quality control procedures

Skills/ Abilities

• Competent in using complex analysers

Before you apply

Using AI
We recognise that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support their job applications and welcome the responsible use of these technologies.
AI can be a useful tool to help organise your thoughts, improve the structure of your application and support your preparation. However, your application should remain an authentic and accurate reflection of your skills, experience, and knowledge.
We encourage you to review the person specification carefully and provide clear examples that demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Any information submitted as part of your application must be accurate, truthful, and based on your experience.
Throughout our recruitment process, we value honesty, integrity, and authenticity. We want to understand what you can bring to BHRUT, so please ensure that your application reflects your own capabilities and achievements.
AI should not be used to misrepresent your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Flexible working
We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working or job sharing where service needs allow.

Pre-employment checks
Please provide references from your current or most recent employer, including your line manager or supervisor. Successful applicants will also be required to complete pre-employment checks, including identity verification through TrustID and any role-specific clearances.

Certificate of Sponsorship
In line with UKVI guidance, we are unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for Band 2 and Band 3 roles.

Recruitment process
We may close vacancies before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. All communication regarding your application will be sent by email, so please check your inbox and junk folder regularly.

Inclusion
BHRUT is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Applicants who declare a disability under the Equality Act 2010 or identify as a Care Leaver and choose to be considered under our Disability Confident or Care Leaver schemes will be guaranteed an interview where they meet the essential criteria.

Safeguarding
BHRUT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. All employees are expected to share this commitment and follow the Trust's safeguarding policies.

Smoke-free Trust
BHRUT is a smoke-free Trust. All employees are expected to comply with our smoke-free policy.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

We have a wide range of flexible, temporary and part-time opportunities.