Job summary
The Microbiology Department is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital and is part of the South Four Pathology Partnership Network. The department provide services to the Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT, ICS BOB Primary Care, Oxford Health NHS, South 4 Pathology Partnership, other NHS providers, private care, UKHSA, Oxford University and research trials.
The department undertakes bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, serology, and molecular microbiology. Combining manual and automated methodology, as well as highly specialised tasks that require a high level of concentration, knowledge, experience, and skills.
The laboratory is a 24/7 service and successful applicants will participate in all shifts required to deliver service and patient care pathways. The shifts include working core day, evenings, night, weekend & bank holiday sessions. The post is full time, average working hours over the shift pattern 37.5 hours. The microbiology department is a very busy department and undertakes just under 1 million tests per year.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act as a Band 3 Advanced Laboratory Support Worker working within a busy Microbiology department. You will be enthusiastic and well-motivated, with good communication and attention to detail. You will undertake required duties to support the microbiology team in the service delivery and the pre-analytical processing of samples received. The post holder will be required to enter patient and specimen data accurately on the Laboratory IT system, receive and process samples, both manual and automated processes. You will deal with sample reception queries, stock control, waste management and other housekeeping duties related to the department.
Applicants should ideally have 12 months experience working in an NHS diagnostic laboratory as a Band 2, or experience of practical work in a laboratory environment. The post holder should ideally hold a Level 2 BTEC Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science, or QCF Level 3 in Pathology Support or equivalent science qualification at QCF Level 2 / 3.
Successful candidates must be conscientious, enthusiastic, and able to work well as a team, as well as individually. You will be required to demonstrate competence and able to work as an autonomous practitioner to participation in all shift patterns required.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles
Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.
If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to job description for full details.
Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities
Accepts a full range of clinical samples into the department, working with staff within the hospital and operating the air tube system and specimen hoist. Occasional use of stairs may be required for this purpose.
Assesses samples for urgency and sorts by laboratory section.
Matches samples and request forms and assigns unique laboratory numbers, requiring complete accuracy and attention to detail.
Ensures that samples meet acceptance criteria for testing and dealing with any non-compliance in accordance with departmental protocols. Is aware of appropriate sample type for all tests.
Is responsible for data entry into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy and attention to detail.
Is fully conversant with relevant departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189-2022 standards.
Under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists (BMS) staff ensures the validity of results by the use of appropriate control materials and takes the appropriate action with regard to anomalous results.
Carries out simple maintenance and fault-finding procedures on automated, expensive (in the region of £50,000-£100,000) equipment.
Works in cooperation with BMS staff to ensure workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
Performs telephone duties that include making and receiving calls from and to the laboratory, verbally transmitting confidential results and conveying sensitive information to healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives.
Participates in the preparation of disinfectants and reagents in accordance with SOPs and Health and Safety requirements.
To be capable of occasional heavy lifting (up to 20 kg) e.g. disposable waste or boxes of new supplies.
Analytical and Interpretation Responsibilities
Performs a variety of manual laboratory procedures under the direct supervision of qualified BMS staff. Procedures include the setting up of tests and pre-analytical sample preparation, including centrifugation, aliquoting and plating out.
Under the supervision of qualified BMS staff conducts analysis of specimens, assessing the process and outcomes of investigations in line with quality control criteria and SOPs and reports any findings in the appropriate format to those who need them as laid out in departmental SOPs
Role Responsibilities
Works to achieve competencies across the repertoire of the department as appropriate to grade.
Effective communication of information about specimens and test results with other staff groups both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patient representatives and commercial suppliers.
Receives sensitive information from patients and their representatives where empathic skills are required.
Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases.
Performs a range of administrative tasks in all sections of the laboratory as required. This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and collection of data for audits.
Ensures efficient use of resources and is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates.
Ensures appropriate stock levels are maintained in own area of operation, this may include issuing stock to external departments and ordering stock from external suppliers under supervision.
Maintains a clean and safe working environment through good housekeeping practices including the preparation of laboratory disinfectants. This may include disposal of clinical waste, autoclaving, decontamination of work areas.
Is aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors or breaches to the senior staff.
Despatches biological samples to referral centres. Ensures that sample packaging is compliant with SOP guidelines.
Solves day-to-day problems e.g. mislabelled and lost specimens.
Provides training support and assistance to Support Workers, Trainee BMS and BMS staff. Includes the explanation and demonstration of procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to job description for full details.
Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities
Accepts a full range of clinical samples into the department, working with staff within the hospital and operating the air tube system and specimen hoist. Occasional use of stairs may be required for this purpose.
Assesses samples for urgency and sorts by laboratory section.
Matches samples and request forms and assigns unique laboratory numbers, requiring complete accuracy and attention to detail.
Ensures that samples meet acceptance criteria for testing and dealing with any non-compliance in accordance with departmental protocols. Is aware of appropriate sample type for all tests.
Is responsible for data entry into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy and attention to detail.
Is fully conversant with relevant departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189-2022 standards.
Under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists (BMS) staff ensures the validity of results by the use of appropriate control materials and takes the appropriate action with regard to anomalous results.
Carries out simple maintenance and fault-finding procedures on automated, expensive (in the region of £50,000-£100,000) equipment.
Works in cooperation with BMS staff to ensure workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
Performs telephone duties that include making and receiving calls from and to the laboratory, verbally transmitting confidential results and conveying sensitive information to healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives.
Participates in the preparation of disinfectants and reagents in accordance with SOPs and Health and Safety requirements.
To be capable of occasional heavy lifting (up to 20 kg) e.g. disposable waste or boxes of new supplies.
Analytical and Interpretation Responsibilities
Performs a variety of manual laboratory procedures under the direct supervision of qualified BMS staff. Procedures include the setting up of tests and pre-analytical sample preparation, including centrifugation, aliquoting and plating out.
Under the supervision of qualified BMS staff conducts analysis of specimens, assessing the process and outcomes of investigations in line with quality control criteria and SOPs and reports any findings in the appropriate format to those who need them as laid out in departmental SOPs
Role Responsibilities
Works to achieve competencies across the repertoire of the department as appropriate to grade.
Effective communication of information about specimens and test results with other staff groups both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patient representatives and commercial suppliers.
Receives sensitive information from patients and their representatives where empathic skills are required.
Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases.
Performs a range of administrative tasks in all sections of the laboratory as required. This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and collection of data for audits.
Ensures efficient use of resources and is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates.
Ensures appropriate stock levels are maintained in own area of operation, this may include issuing stock to external departments and ordering stock from external suppliers under supervision.
Maintains a clean and safe working environment through good housekeeping practices including the preparation of laboratory disinfectants. This may include disposal of clinical waste, autoclaving, decontamination of work areas.
Is aware of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety polices, reporting problems, errors or breaches to the senior staff.
Despatches biological samples to referral centres. Ensures that sample packaging is compliant with SOP guidelines.
Solves day-to-day problems e.g. mislabelled and lost specimens.
Provides training support and assistance to Support Workers, Trainee BMS and BMS staff. Includes the explanation and demonstration of procedures.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC Level 2 in Healthcare Science Assistant OR BTEC Level 3 in Applied Science OR T-Level in Healthcare Science OR T-Level in Laboratory Technician GCSE English and Maths or equivalent at Grades 4-9 GCSE or equivalent in science subjects Grade 4-9 (most be listed on application)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrated competences from working in a microbiology laboratory environment or academic laboratory.
- Knowledge of microbiology laboratory Health and Safety
- Demonstrated competence in aseptic techniques and safe handling of specimens.
- Prepared to work with biological materials and a variety of sample types.
Desirable
- Knowledge of laboratory Quality Management System
- Knowledge of and demonstrated competence in using IT software or knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Other requirments
Essential
- Flexible approach to hours of work, including nights, evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC Level 2 in Healthcare Science Assistant OR BTEC Level 3 in Applied Science OR T-Level in Healthcare Science OR T-Level in Laboratory Technician GCSE English and Maths or equivalent at Grades 4-9 GCSE or equivalent in science subjects Grade 4-9 (most be listed on application)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrated competences from working in a microbiology laboratory environment or academic laboratory.
- Knowledge of microbiology laboratory Health and Safety
- Demonstrated competence in aseptic techniques and safe handling of specimens.
- Prepared to work with biological materials and a variety of sample types.
Desirable
- Knowledge of laboratory Quality Management System
- Knowledge of and demonstrated competence in using IT software or knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Other requirments
Essential
- Flexible approach to hours of work, including nights, evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays
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.
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.
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).
