Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Biomedical Support Worker - Specimen Reception

The closing date is 04 September 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Biomedical Support Worker in a busy but friendly Specimen Reception department. Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team where you will receive training for the post.

Pathology laboratories investigate a variety of patient specimens from within the hospital and the wider community. Seventy percent of patients require pathology investigations to help aid diagnosis or monitor their treatment.

Main duties of the job

Staff in specimen reception, are the first line of contact for patients and visitors to the laboratory, they receive patient samples and enter both patient and test information onto the laboratory computer system. They also carry out other general clerical and administrative duties including taking enquiries both in person and via the telephone, sorting and distributing test reports and other incoming and outgoing post and filing request cards. You will demonstrate keyboard skills and basic literacy and numeracy. A good standard of general education is desirable. You must be willing and able to work flexible hours including mornings, evenings, weekends, nights and public holidays as required.

You will be based at The Royal Oldham Hospital but will be required to work at Fairfield General Hospital on rotation. The role will involve working various shift patterns, 08:00 - 16:00, 12:00 - 20:00, 14:00 - 22:00.

Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria required to qualify for sponsorship.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential tomake a differenceand we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values -care,appreciateandinspire- to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-DPG-CS291-25-PS

Job locations

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale Road

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: https://careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/

Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: https://careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Basic IT skills
  • Good communication (written and verbal skills)
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to work unsocial hours/Flexibility to work cross site
  • Ability to follow protocols

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Essential

  • Awareness of confidentiality issues
  • Awareness of health and safety issues
  • Experience of working in a team

Desirable

  • Experience within a healthcare/laboratory environment
  • Willingness to undertake training
  • General laboratory or Specimen Reception experience
  • Customer service experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade D-G)
Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Basic IT skills
  • Good communication (written and verbal skills)
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to work unsocial hours/Flexibility to work cross site
  • Ability to follow protocols

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Essential

  • Awareness of confidentiality issues
  • Awareness of health and safety issues
  • Experience of working in a team

Desirable

  • Experience within a healthcare/laboratory environment
  • Willingness to undertake training
  • General laboratory or Specimen Reception experience
  • Customer service experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy (GCSE English and Maths Grade D-G)

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

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale Road

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale Road

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specimen Reception Supervisor

Allen Slack

Allen.Slack@nca.nhs.uk

01617783447

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-DPG-CS291-25-PS

Job locations

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale Road

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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