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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Assistant Technical Officer

The closing date is 15 February 2026

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Job summary

1. The receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry, presentation for analysis and dispatch to tertiary centres as appropriate.

2. To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GP's, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff.

3. To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedure.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

  1. The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in all sections of the laboratory to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective service.

  1. The post holder will support the timely processing of patient samples serving all those patients attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

30 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year £24,465 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-NB-DB7737645

Job locations

Derriford Hosipital

Brest Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests.

2. Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send-away samples are packaged and despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.

3. Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.

4. Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.

5. To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.

6. To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations

7. Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.

8. Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.

9. Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.

10. To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy.

For further details please see attached JD and PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests.

2. Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send-away samples are packaged and despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.

3. Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.

4. Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.

5. To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.

6. To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations

7. Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.

8. Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.

9. Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.

10. To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID or incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy.

For further details please see attached JD and PS

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Understanding of need for patient confidentiality
  • Proven knowledge of Health & Safety issues
  • Use of IT equipment including a keyboard

Desirable

  • Proven knowledge of all tests performed and sent away by the department
  • Proven knowledge of all relevant Health & Safety legislation and its application to the Section
  • Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE to Grade C/Grade 4, or above in Science, Maths & English or equivalent qualification, with demonstratable demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Appropriate NVQ -in laboratory based qualification

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff at all levels of the organisation and patients with tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to effectively organise and prioritise own work
  • Attention to detail
  • Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst under pressure
  • Time management skills
  • Clear handwriting
  • Manual dexterity, including fine manipulation for protracted periods of the day
  • Good telephone manner

Desirable

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Working proven knowledge of Patient Management Systems
  • Working proven knowledge of relevant laboratory information management systems
Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Understanding of need for patient confidentiality
  • Proven knowledge of Health & Safety issues
  • Use of IT equipment including a keyboard

Desirable

  • Proven knowledge of all tests performed and sent away by the department
  • Proven knowledge of all relevant Health & Safety legislation and its application to the Section
  • Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE to Grade C/Grade 4, or above in Science, Maths & English or equivalent qualification, with demonstratable demonstrable experience

Desirable

  • Appropriate NVQ -in laboratory based qualification

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff at all levels of the organisation and patients with tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to effectively organise and prioritise own work
  • Attention to detail
  • Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst under pressure
  • Time management skills
  • Clear handwriting
  • Manual dexterity, including fine manipulation for protracted periods of the day
  • Good telephone manner

Desirable

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Working proven knowledge of Patient Management Systems
  • Working proven knowledge of relevant laboratory information management systems

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hosipital

Brest Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hosipital

Brest Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Practitioner

Syeda Miah

syeda.miah1@nhs.net

01752433245

Details

Date posted

30 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year £24,465 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-NB-DB7737645

Job locations

Derriford Hosipital

Brest Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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