University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Band 4 Associate Practitioner - Clinical Microbiology

The closing date is 15 February 2026

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join University Hospitals Birmingham, one of the largest teaching hospitals in England with state-of-the-art facilities and employing over 20,000 colleagues across 4 sites (Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals).

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic candidate with experience in Microbiology to join the department as we embark on the next chapter for the laboratory. The successful candidate will play a key role in assisting the team in the laboratory refresh set for 2026.

This role is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but there may be future requirement to work across all sites that are part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Microbiology is part of the Clinical Pathology department, providing a patient focused quality service that is committed to the trust values.

The Microbiology department provides a dynamic service that actively promotes innovation and service development.

We are committed to staff health and well-being, training and development enabling and equipping staff with the tools to embark on an exciting and fulfilling career.

You will be part of a UKAS accredited service, made up of a specialist and experienced team of 70+ staff, all working towards a common goal.

Main duties of the job

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Date posted

09 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

304-1093392-2

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

*NVQ Level 3 or equivalent plus additional theoretical knowledge or training in specific discipline e.g. biomedical science to diploma equivalent level

Desirable

*IBMS Certificate of Achievement

Experience

Essential

*Significant experience within a relevant laboratory environment.
*Awareness of National Health Service.
* Awareness of Health and Safety issues.
*Awareness and understanding of Microbiology techniques
*Knowledge of Microsoft office, Excel, PowerPoint etc.

Desirable

*Experience of scientific investigations and research projects
*Knowledge or experience in providing supervision / training to less experienced staff.

Additional Criteria

Essential

*Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
* Good verbal and written communication.
*Basic IT and keyboard skills
*Manual dexterity and hand -- eye co- ordination.
*Ensure the correct and safe use of all computer systems and middleware Standard / Advanced Keyboard Skills
*IT and keyboard skills including data input into and interrogation of IT systems and Middleware to allow manipulation and presentation of information using Microsoft packages.
*Efficiently manage any electronic and paper stock control systems
*Expected to participate in all out of hours periods as required by service provision.

Desirable

* Able to demonstrate an understanding of a range of routine and more complex technical procedures
*The ability to work closely with all members of a busy team, undertake changes to work routines and practice at short notice, and to quickly pick up new skills and techniques are all desirable qualities in the candidate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

*NVQ Level 3 or equivalent plus additional theoretical knowledge or training in specific discipline e.g. biomedical science to diploma equivalent level

Desirable

*IBMS Certificate of Achievement

Experience

Essential

*Significant experience within a relevant laboratory environment.
*Awareness of National Health Service.
* Awareness of Health and Safety issues.
*Awareness and understanding of Microbiology techniques
*Knowledge of Microsoft office, Excel, PowerPoint etc.

Desirable

*Experience of scientific investigations and research projects
*Knowledge or experience in providing supervision / training to less experienced staff.

Additional Criteria

Essential

*Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
* Good verbal and written communication.
*Basic IT and keyboard skills
*Manual dexterity and hand -- eye co- ordination.
*Ensure the correct and safe use of all computer systems and middleware Standard / Advanced Keyboard Skills
*IT and keyboard skills including data input into and interrogation of IT systems and Middleware to allow manipulation and presentation of information using Microsoft packages.
*Efficiently manage any electronic and paper stock control systems
*Expected to participate in all out of hours periods as required by service provision.

Desirable

* Able to demonstrate an understanding of a range of routine and more complex technical procedures
*The ability to work closely with all members of a busy team, undertake changes to work routines and practice at short notice, and to quickly pick up new skills and techniques are all desirable qualities in the candidate

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Employer's website

https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Employer's website

https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)