Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
02/04/2026
Planned Interview
Date
29/04/2026
An
exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team of Higher Level Biomedical
support workers within the Microbiology department based at the Centre for
Laboratory Medicine, St James Hospital.
This
role is a core function in the laboratory with the team supporting scientific
staff by running a wide range of analysers and automated systems, alongside
manual bacteriology culture.
This
is an exciting time to join the department as it has moved to a purpose built
laboratory at the St James, embracing new technology to deliver the best
outcomes for patients. The team has also begun the journey to deliver network
services across the region, with Mid Yorkshire Microbiology services moving
to Leeds in September 2025 and Calderdale planned for late 2026.
We
are seeking enthusiastic, motivated and highly capable individual to take on
this role with the ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
Previous laboratory experience within Pathology is an advantage but full
training will be provided. Strong team work ethic is essential to deliver
this role.
Main duties of the job
The
roles advertised are based across the department covering Bacteriology,
Mycology, Serology and Molecular. On appointment the area of work for the
role will be determined based on existing skills and knowledge. The
department uses a number of technologies to deliver the service including
WASPlab, MS Prime, UF5000, Hologic Panther, Panther Fusion, Siemens Attelica,
Diasorin Liaison XL, ELITe BeGenius & Serosep alongside traditional
culture based Microbiology and manual plate based serology assays.
On
a day to day basis you will work within a team to process a range of samples.
Where automation is in place the successful candidates will be responsible
for maintenance and quality control of analysers. You will be expected to
contribute to the on-going quality improvement programme, and have a role in
quality assurance, health & safety and document control. Adherence to
good laboratory practice is essential as is the ability to manage workload in
a busy laboratory.
Continuing
professional and self-development will be encouraged, and you will be
expected to undergo in house training to attain competence within the
laboratory.
We
provide a full 24/7 laboratory service supported by a shift system covering
weekends, bank holidays & extended days. (agenda for change T&Cs). As
a Higher Level Biomedical Support Worker you will participate in providing
cover for the service after suitable training.
About us
The
department is located within St James University Hospital processing in
excess of two million samples per annum. The successful candidate will be
working in a busy laboratory; delivering services to one of the UKs largest
teaching hospitals leading to a diverse workload.
The
department is also the lead laboratory for Public Health England in the
Yorkshire and Humber region and plays important role in delivering
Microbiology & Virology services to support this function.
At
LTHT we offer:
27
days annual leave plus bank holidays and the option to buy additional days
(after 12 months service)
Optional
defined benefit pension, with generous employer contribution
Opportunity
for paid study leave
Supportive
benefits throughout changing life circumstances, including up to 1-year
parental leave (subject to service) and onsite nurseries.
Access
to health and wellbeing resources and retail discount
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
To
be responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical Support
Workers within the section
To
collect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic
specimens for testing
To undertake routine and more
complex clinical technical investigations, following standard operating
procedures, some of which may be under supervision
To
communicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff
JOB
DIMENSIONS
As
a Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of the
departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a
range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under
the supervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff. You will
gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision
of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply
professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and
sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either
independently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required to
organise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate
information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues,
healthcare staff and other organisations.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In
order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have
successfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or other
equivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further your
knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in
house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous
professional development (CPD). In
addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As
the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
- Carry out a range of basic and more
complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and
effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the
need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
- Participate actively in
departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of
knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels
of quality have not been met.
- Participate in the maintenance of a
safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards
associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable
actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards
include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and
uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information
that is related to patient care.
- Observe the requirements of
departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample
labelling and adverse event reporting.
10. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
- To perform, sometimes under
supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are
consistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.
- To develop your competences in the
department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
- To participate in departmental
research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate
clinical trials involving the laboratory
- To enter, manage and retrieve
patient information using the laboratory computer system.
- To communicate accurately sensitive
and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in
accordance with departmental procedures
- To demonstrate relevant job related
tasks to new or more junior staff
- To actively participate in the
laboratory quality assurance programme
- To contribute to general
departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt
and control of consumables
This
list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to
time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These
will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their
implementation.
The
Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on
several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to
work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the
Laboratory Manager.
In
addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies
and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager
during your period of induction and further information is available from the
Trusts intranet site.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
To
be responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical Support
Workers within the section
To
collect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic
specimens for testing
To undertake routine and more
complex clinical technical investigations, following standard operating
procedures, some of which may be under supervision
To
communicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff
JOB
DIMENSIONS
As
a Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of the
departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a
range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under
the supervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff. You will
gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision
of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply
professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and
sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either
independently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required to
organise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate
information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues,
healthcare staff and other organisations.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In
order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have
successfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or other
equivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further your
knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in
house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous
professional development (CPD). In
addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As
the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
- Carry out a range of basic and more
complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and
effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the
need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
- Participate actively in
departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of
knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels
of quality have not been met.
- Participate in the maintenance of a
safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards
associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable
actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards
include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and
uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
- Maintain patient confidentiality.
You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information
that is related to patient care.
- Observe the requirements of
departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample
labelling and adverse event reporting.
10. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
- To perform, sometimes under
supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are
consistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.
- To develop your competences in the
department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
- To participate in departmental
research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate
clinical trials involving the laboratory
- To enter, manage and retrieve
patient information using the laboratory computer system.
- To communicate accurately sensitive
and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in
accordance with departmental procedures
- To demonstrate relevant job related
tasks to new or more junior staff
- To actively participate in the
laboratory quality assurance programme
- To contribute to general
departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt
and control of consumables
This
list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to
time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These
will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their
implementation.
The
Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on
several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to
work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the
Laboratory Manager.
In
addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies
and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager
during your period of induction and further information is available from the
Trusts intranet site.
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Excellent team work and collaboration skills
- Flexible approach to work
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a laboratory
- Ability to use conventional IT software
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a hospital laboratory
- Previous experience of working in a Microbiology laboratory
Qualifications
Essential
- A level /NVQ Level 3 - state these qualifications and grades obtained
Desirable
- A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects - state these qualifications and grades obtained
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Excellent team work and collaboration skills
- Flexible approach to work
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a laboratory
- Ability to use conventional IT software
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a hospital laboratory
- Previous experience of working in a Microbiology laboratory
Qualifications
Essential
- A level /NVQ Level 3 - state these qualifications and grades obtained
Desirable
- A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects - state these qualifications and grades obtained
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.
