Biomedical Support Worker

Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions Ltd; Halifax; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Biomedical Support Worker to join their Microbiology Department. This role involves sorting and processing clinical samples, ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures, and supporting Biomedical Scientists in laboratory tasks. The ideal candidate will possess strong teamwork and communication skills, along with a commitment to compassionate care. This position offers a supportive working environment with opportunities for flexible arrangements, making it perfect for those looking to balance work and personal commitments while contributing to vital healthcare services.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Team-oriented environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Math (grade 9-2) or equivalent required.
• Level 2 qualification in Clinical Laboratory Support or Healthcare preferred.

Responsibilities

• Sort and check clinical samples received from wards and clinics.
• Label samples and input patient information into the lab system.
• Process clinical samples according to Standard Operating Procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer Care

Laboratory Techniques

Health and Safety Awareness

Communication Skills

Education

GCSE in English and Math

Level 2 qualification in Clinical Laboratory Support

Job description

Main area Microbiology Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (up to 37.5 hours per week) Job ref 372-FSS2743

Employer Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Calderdale Royal Hospital Town Halifax Salary £23,615 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/03/2025 23:59 Interview date 04/04/2025

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

Job overview

There is a vacancy for a Biomedical Support Worker (AFC Band 2) in the Microbiology Department at the Calderdale Royal Hospital. This post is part of a team based in the Microbiology Laboratory and provides a support service to Biomedical Scientists.

Main duties of the job

• To take receipt of and sort clinical samples received from wards and clinics, general practitioners. To check the integrity of the sample.
• To unpack the samples, with reference to Health and Safety procedures and check that the requirements of the minimum data set are met for the request form and the sample.
• To label the samples with laboratory numbers and input patient and sample information into the laboratory computer system. This will involve making an assessment of the sample and clinical details before entering the appropriate tests into the computer system.
• To undertake with reference to departmental Standard Operating Procedures, the initial processing of the clinical samples, including swabs, urine, faeces, skin scrapings and blood. Inoculation of the sample onto culture media, preparation of the sample for microscopy, sub-culture of broth media and loading and unloading clinical samples onto and off auto-analysers.

Working for our organisation

We are a hard working yet a friendly department where everyone believes in team work. We recognise and value everyone's contribution and look for solutions and improvement with a can-do, positive approach.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
• Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• English and Math GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent or high level of literacy and numeracy skills demonstrated within application.
• Competence based Level 2 qualification e.g. NVQ or Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Support or Healthcare.
• Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience of working with public or customer care.
• Awareness of the role of a Medical Laboratory.
• Awareness of Health and Safety.
• Understanding and general awareness of confidentiality within the NHS.
• Ability to handle blood and other bodily fluid samples.
• Experience of laboratory techniques.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Aware of own limitations/ level of competence.
• Manual dexterity and hand eye co-ordination.
• Good communication Skills.

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co-create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact [e-mail] for assistance.