Higher Biomedical Support Worker

NHS; Rhyl; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Health Wales is seeking a Higher Biomedical Support Worker to join the North Wales Microbiology labs at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, on a full-time basis. The role covers data input, specimen handling and processing across sections, plus use of automation and stock management.

We welcome applicants with Welsh or English language skills and emphasize safety, accuracy and team collaboration in a busy diagnostic environment. Interviews are face-to-face.

Qualifications

• GCSE education including English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.
• NVQ 2 clinical support work, IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or equivalent. Science related subject, or equivalent qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Data input, specimen reception, labelling and processing of patient samples on different sections in the laboratory.
• Operation of laboratory sterilisers, automation, stock control and receipt of deliveries.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Hand/eye coordination

Communication skills

Health and Safety awareness

Basic keyboard skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths

IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1

Science-related subject

Job description

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Main area Microbiology Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Hours include 24/7 working, weekdays/weekends and bank holidays.) Job ref 028-ACS037-1026

Site Glan Clwyd Hospital Town Rhyl Salary £26,813 - £27,890 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 23:59

Welcome to Public Health Wales, the national public health organisation for Wales

Our vision is Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. To support our all Wales service, we particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Important Note for vacancies offered on a fixed-term or secondment basis.
Individuals who hold permanent (substantive) employment within the NHS may only be appointed via secondment. Approval for a secondment must be obtained from your current line manager prior to submitting an application.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisento join our team ofHigher Biomedical Support Workers.

Public Health Wales Microbiology laboratories, in the North Wales region are situated within the Gwynedd, Glan Clwyd and Wrexham Maelor Hospitals with the Glan Clwyd site being one of the largest Microbiology Laboratories in Wales. Together they provide a wide range of diagnostic services to hospitals, clinics and general practitioners in North Wales and North Powys.

North Wales Microbiology offers a comprehensive routine diagnostic bacteriology service. The laboratory benefits from Kiestra automation, automated urinalysis and a wide range of molecular testing platforms. All of the Clinical Laboratories are ISO 15189 UKAS accredited and we are also an IBMS approved training site.

INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD FACE TO FACE.

Main duties of the job

The duties will be varied, including data input, specimen reception, labelling and processing of patient samples on different sections in the laboratory, operation of laboratory sterilisers, automation, stock control and receipt of deliveries.

The post will suit enthusiastic and well-motivated individuals with good communication and practical skills, an ability to demonstrate initiative, willing to learn new skills and work as part of our team.

North Wales is an area that offers the best of both worlds, benefiting from easy access to some of the best beaches in the UK and stunning hill and mountain ranges. The region also has close proximity to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester with all that city life has to offer - so walkers, climbers, cyclists, sailors, shoppers and nightlife seekers are all catered for. North Wales also has affordable housing and good public transport and road links across Wales to England and further afield - with Ireland also only a short boat trip away.

Working for our organisation

We are Public Health Wales – the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.

Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.

We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE education including English and Maths or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
• NVQ 2 clinical support work, IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or equivalent. Science related subject, or equivalent qualifications.

Experience

• Experience of working in a role with skills compatible with laboratory work
• An interest in hospital laboratory work. Experience of training BSW staff. Microbiology experience.

Skills & knowledge

• Good manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination. Ability to work reliably and efficiently under own initiative. Ability to accurately follow verbal and written instructions and complex protocols and procedures. Ability to communicate scientific/clinical information orally, in writing or electronically to work colleagues or external contacts. Ability to identify problems. Health and Safety Awareness.
• Basic keyboard skills. Understands the importance of IT in the laboratory. Willingness to learn and to undertake new tasks. Understanding of laboratory working practice with some basic knowledge of Microbiology.

Public Health Wales, reserves the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage early applications.

Priority is given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

If you have a disability and have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS: Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job.

Using a generic application or automated AI application services, such as Lazy Apply or AI Apply, does not usually provide enough personal evidence of your skills and experience relevant to the role. This can make it difficult for us to assess your suitability and will reduce your chances of being shortlisted.

To ensure your application is given full consideration, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert, providing clear evidence and examples to demonstrate how you meet each requirement.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

• If you require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa routes, please ensure youself-assess your eligibility for sponsorship for this role before applying.

If you are successful and short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the address with which you registered. Please ensure you check your email account regularly.

We are committed to fair, transparent recruitment and believe in equality of opportunity in our workplace and will not tolerate discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, religion or belief, race or nationality, marriage or civil partnership status, sex, sexual orientation, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs – or on any other grounds. We welcome applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements.

The salary scale shown is for a full-time member of staff, with the amount being adjusted pro rata for those working less than 37.5 hours per week.

In general, anyone joining our Trust who has not previously worked in the NHS will, by default, start on the first point of the advertised pay band. Pay progression will then be determined by annual Performance and Development Reviews in accordance with the NHS Wales Pay Progression Policy . An application for Incremental Credit may be considered, but can only be awarded based on evidenced, reckonable service and/or equivalent, relevant experience.

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