Higher Level Biomedical Assistant, Microbiology

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in Coventry is seeking a Higher Level Biomedical Assistant to support the Microbiology team. You will assist with pre-analytical processing, data entry on Trust systems, and basic laboratory duties under supervision.

The role focuses on safety, specimen handling, and timely reporting of results, with opportunities to develop in a world‑class laboratory service for the community of Coventry and Warwickshire.

Qualifications

• Ability to work as part of a team in a busy laboratory environment.
• Accurate data handling and attention to detail are essential.
• Strong communication with staff and supervisors.
• Ability to follow established policies and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Input accurate and timely patient and specimen data into Trust systems.
• Sort, check, and prepare specimens for testing.
• Safely dispose of contaminated materials and confidential waste.
• Provide practical support to Biomedical Scientist staff under supervision.
• Assist with analyser maintenance and dispatch of samples as required.
• Support training and contribute to quality control activities.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Data entry

Communication

Tools

Lab information systems

Job description

Higher Level Biomedical Assistant, Microbiology

A Vacancy at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Biomedical Assistant to join our Microbiology team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and is committed to delivering a world‑class laboratory service for the communities of Coventry and Warwickshire.

You will play a key role in supporting diagnostic services by undertaking pre‑analytical, laboratory support and administrative duties, ensuring specimens are processed safely, accurately and efficiently in line with Trust policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

Please be advised this vacancy is not eligible for sponsorship.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

The role supports the delivery of a safe, efficient, and high‑quality laboratory service through accurate specimen handling, data management, and pre‑analytical laboratory processes. The postholder is responsible for the timely and accurate entry of patient and specimen information onto Trust computerised systems, ensuring confidentiality, traceability, and patient safety.

Core duties include the receipt, sorting, checking, and preparation of specimens for testing, identifying discrepancies and taking appropriate action in line with Standard Operating Procedures. The postholder undertakes sample processing tasks such as measurement and pipetting and provides practical support to Biomedical Scientist staff, including basic supplementary work under supervision.

The role emphasises health and safety, including the correct disposal of sharps, contaminated materials, and confidential waste, and adherence to procedures for incidents, spillages, and injuries. The postholder promotes compliance with Trust health and safety policies at all times.

As a key point of contact, the postholder handles telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries professionally, manages workload priorities, supports analyser maintenance, receives deliveries, dispatches samples, and communicates authorised results. They also contribute to staff training, participate in appraisals, support quality control activities, and help ensure laboratory performance targets and turnaround times are met.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation.

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values

• Responsible for inputting accurate and timely patient and specimen data on to Trust computerised systems.
• Responsible for the safe disposal of contaminated materials, including sharps and confidential waste.
• Undertake first point of contact for all telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries dealing in a professional manner.
• Responsible for the sorting and identifying of specimens received, identifying and taking appropriate action in the event of any discrepancies.
• Undertake preparation of an extended range of samples for testing by laboratory staff and provide support with laboratory tasks as required by BMS staff.
• Potential to work in the containment level 3 facilities to perform primary specimen processing and laboratory housekeeping; working to embedded stringent safety systems.
• Preparation of basic confirmatory/supplementary work to support BMS staff, but will exclude unsupervised interpretive tasks.
• Responsible for the dispatching and posting of samples to authorised persons and outside laboratories ensuring compliance with all statutory regulations.
• Undertake agreed clinical and non‑clinical tasks following training ensuring referral to appropriately trained staff as required.
• Participate in the training and support less experienced members of staff in their orientation to the department and role.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.