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Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Biomedical Support Worker - EPA - Specimen Reception

The closing date is 14 July 2025

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Job summary

The Department provides a Microbiological diagnostic and clinical support service to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, James Paget Hospital as the Eastern Pathology Alliance other Trusts and GPs, covering all aspects of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, serology and molecular diagnostics.

A Vital Role Behind the Scenes in Patient Care,working as a Biomedical Science Support Worker at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) gives you the chance to be part of something bigger -- supporting life-saving diagnostics and making a real difference to patients every day.This is a hands-on, practical role where your attention to detail and commitment to quality will directly support the detection and diagnosis of infections through microbiology testing.

You'll be part of a friendly, professional team, working in a well-equipped laboratory environment that is essential to the smooth running of hospital services. It's a job that requires focus and reliability -- but it also offers the satisfaction of knowing your work helps improve lives every day. If you're organised, eager to learn, and want to be part of a supportive team making a difference behind the scenes, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a Biomedical Science Support Worker, you will play a vital part in our Microbiology laboratory services, ensuring accurate and timely processing of biological samples for testing. Working under the guidance of Biomedical Scientists, your contribution helps ensure patients receive prompt and effective care. Key responsibilities include:

Receiving, sorting and labelling biological specimens

Preparing samples for microbiological testing

Following strict procedures and protocols to ensure quality and safety

Maintaining laboratory cleanliness and stock

Accurately recording patient and sample data in the Laboratory Information System

You don't need previous lab experience -- full training will be provided -- but a willingness to learn is essential to thrive in this role.

You will be a great fit if you:

Take pride in doing your work to a high standard

Are comfortable working behind the scenes in a clinical environment

Understand the importance of infection control and patient safety

Work well independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

This role requires a strong work ethic and the ability to stay focused and efficient, especially when working under pressure."

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-CS0241

Job locations

NRP Innovation Centre NNUH

Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7GJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Electronic transfer of patient details and requests via bar-code scanning into the PathologyIT system.
  • Manually inputting of patient details and test requests into the laboratory computer system.
  • Scanning requested forms into the laboratory information system database.
  • Labelling and preparing patients blood, urine, and other fluids for analysis utilising aseptictechniques.
  • Sample centrifugation, separation of serum from red cells and pipetting serum aliquots for analysis ensuring that the minimum volume is available for the range of investigations requested.

Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document)

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 3111 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Electronic transfer of patient details and requests via bar-code scanning into the PathologyIT system.
  • Manually inputting of patient details and test requests into the laboratory computer system.
  • Scanning requested forms into the laboratory information system database.
  • Labelling and preparing patients blood, urine, and other fluids for analysis utilising aseptictechniques.
  • Sample centrifugation, separation of serum from red cells and pipetting serum aliquots for analysis ensuring that the minimum volume is available for the range of investigations requested.

Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document)

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 3111 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa. The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Basic English Literacy and Numeracy to GCSE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Previous experience in CPA accredited laboratory.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work with complex analysers and technology
  • Be able to work effectively in a complex-multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

  • Experience of laboratory and other general IT software

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Basic English Literacy and Numeracy to GCSE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Previous experience in CPA accredited laboratory.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work with complex analysers and technology
  • Be able to work effectively in a complex-multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

  • Experience of laboratory and other general IT software

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

NRP Innovation Centre NNUH

Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7GJ


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

NRP Innovation Centre NNUH

Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7GJ


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Reception Manager

Angela Poyser

Angela.Poyser@nnuh.nhs.uk

01603288509

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-CS0241

Job locations

NRP Innovation Centre NNUH

Norwich Research Park

Norwich

NR4 7GJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)