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Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Microbiology Higher Medical Laboratory Assistants

The closing date is 11 July 2025

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Job summary

The Microbiology department at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust have some exciting opportunities following a significant investment to allow the service to grow and be able to provide a comprehensive 24/7 Clinical Diagnostic Microbiology Service. We have permanent posts within our Higher Medical Laboratory Assistant team. The role of a Higher Medical Laboratory Assistant is varied and involves supporting the scientific staff (Biomedical Scientists) and as such is a key role in supporting a diagnostic service. The successful applicant will be required to participate in the departments 24/7 working patterns, which will involve working weekends and night shifts as well as early, core and late shifts.

Main duties of the job

In addition to the below summary you need to familiarize yourself with full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.

Work will include:

  • the receipt, sorting, and preparation of patient samples
  • maintaining stocks of consumable items
  • disposal of biological waste
  • operating and maintaining laboratory equipment
  • performing general housekeeping duties
  • clerical tasks including data input of patient demographics and test request information
  • answer telephone enquiries and perform visitor reception duties

Previous experience in an NHS clinical laboratory would be an advantage but is not essential as full training will be provided. As important as laboratory experience is a positive attitude, experience of working effectively in a busy team environment doing work which may have been repetitive in nature but requires good concentration and attention to detail is also experience that we are looking for.

A good level of secondary education is required with English, Maths and Science to GCSE (Grade A-C / 4 to 9) in addition an A Level or BTEC / NVQ equivalent qualifications.

About us

The Clinical Microbiology service is a comprehensive medical microbiology service handling in excess of 900,000 microbiology and virology samples per year. We are a well established Institute of Biomedical Science training centre and provide opportunities across a variety of professional qualifications for individuals that are able to demonstrate the key skills to progress within their microbiology career.

Please note this service is a 24/7 provision and therefore individuals must be flexible and able to work on all shifts including night shift provision.

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

164-7278935

Job locations

QMC campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role please see the attached Job description.

IMPORTANT - you must be able to attend an on site interview and practical assessment within a two week notice period. Please do not apply if you cannot comply with this requirement. Please state at the top of your supporting statement that you have read this statement and can comply to the requirements. Interviews are likely to be held within 3-4 weeks of the advert closing date.

Please note that your supporting statement is an important part of the selection process. We recommend that you use the personal spec titles and indicate how you meet the role.

Please also provide an answer to the following question within your supporting statement:

Why is it important for a hospital to have a microbiology laboratory? Answers should only be a maximum of five lines.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DUE TO HIGH VOLUME APPLICATIONS THIS POST MAY CLOSE EARLY IF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role please see the attached Job description.

IMPORTANT - you must be able to attend an on site interview and practical assessment within a two week notice period. Please do not apply if you cannot comply with this requirement. Please state at the top of your supporting statement that you have read this statement and can comply to the requirements. Interviews are likely to be held within 3-4 weeks of the advert closing date.

Please note that your supporting statement is an important part of the selection process. We recommend that you use the personal spec titles and indicate how you meet the role.

Please also provide an answer to the following question within your supporting statement:

Why is it important for a hospital to have a microbiology laboratory? Answers should only be a maximum of five lines.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT DUE TO HIGH VOLUME APPLICATIONS THIS POST MAY CLOSE EARLY IF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE.

Person Specification

Training & qualifications

Essential

  • Basic Qualifications GCSE Maths and English Science
  • A-Level / BTEC certificate/ diploma Level 3

Desirable

  • oNVQ level 3 in Science subject and/or ECDL or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • oWorking experience with transferable skills

Desirable

  • oPrevious laboratory experience (Working environment)

Communication and relationship

Essential

  • oGood communication skills - written and verbal - application standard.

Analytical

Essential

  • Experience ultising skills that are translatable

Desirable

  • oprevious experience with analysers in microbiology

Other

Essential

  • oAnswered the application question within the supporting statement - evidence of following instructions
  • oAble to show an understanding why they would be good in the role
Person Specification

Training & qualifications

Essential

  • Basic Qualifications GCSE Maths and English Science
  • A-Level / BTEC certificate/ diploma Level 3

Desirable

  • oNVQ level 3 in Science subject and/or ECDL or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • oWorking experience with transferable skills

Desirable

  • oPrevious laboratory experience (Working environment)

Communication and relationship

Essential

  • oGood communication skills - written and verbal - application standard.

Analytical

Essential

  • Experience ultising skills that are translatable

Desirable

  • oprevious experience with analysers in microbiology

Other

Essential

  • oAnswered the application question within the supporting statement - evidence of following instructions
  • oAble to show an understanding why they would be good in the role

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

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

QMC campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

QMC campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Service Manager

Sharon-Anne Foster

sharon-anne.foster@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

164-7278935

Job locations

QMC campus

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Supporting documents

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