Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Blood Sciences Biomedical Support Worker

The closing date is 27 April 2026

Job summary

We are looking for two willing and enthusiastic, three years Fixed Term Biomedical Support Workers to work across the Clinical Biochemistry and Microbiology departments to assist with the processing of Serology blood specimens. One support worker will be based predominantly at the Bedford site and the other at the Luton & Dunstable site.

The role will involve the booking in and receipting of blood specimens, preparation for analysis, loading and unloading onto the analysers and dealing with specimens for confirmatory testing.

Previous laboratory/hospital experience is desirable, but full training will be given.

Main duties of the job

As a Biomedical Support Worker you will be responsible for assisting the Higher Biomedical Support Workers, Biomedical Scientists and laboratory senior Biomedical Scientists in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive service. You will be expected to work across the Clinical Biochemistry and Microbiology departments to support the Blood Borne Virus Opt out Testing Initiative, which will be undertaken at both the Bedford and Luton & Dunstable Hospital sites.

The post holder will contribute to the day to day operations and limited technical aspects of the service.

The post holder will assist Higher Biomedical Support Workers, BMS and senior laboratory BMS in the delivery of a high quality, efficient and effective service, through the Quality Management System [QMS].

The post holder is expected to follow policies and procedures ensuring that the service complies with current UKAS standards, national and European legislation and discipline specific regulatory bodies.

The post holder may be required to assist in the training of other support staff.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

13 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per anuum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

36 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-DTO4611-KA

Job locations

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Lewsey Road

Luton

LU4 0DZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Objectives, purpose & responsibilities of the post:

2.1 To assist Higher Biomedical Support Workers, BMS and laboratory senior BMS in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive service.

2.2 To follow the quality policy for the department including the agreed quality objectives.

2.3 To follow the UKAS standards for the department using the Pathology Quality Management System as established, to fulfil the quality circles and audit inherent to the ISO 15189 standards of compliance.

2.4 To assist in actions required as determined, to resolve nonconformities that are recorded by internal and/or external audits and/or complaints.

2.5 To follow the Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] for the department utilising the Document Management Module of the Q-Pulse system.

2.6 To comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to role.

2.7 Where requested, to contribute to departmental audits whether vertical, horizontal or examination audits relevant to the service.

2.8 To follow the Risk Management Policy for the department such as the reporting of incidents, accidents and adverse events ensuring that Risk Assessments are followed commensurate with the role.

2.9 To contribute to the department communication in disseminating and receiving information, arising from the management, operational and Health & Safety meetings, to colleagues where necessary.

2.10 Where required to perform a limited range of tests and assays methodically, within the limits of their training.

2.11 To bring to the attention of the department laboratory seniors/manager any problems or difficulties encountered in the performance of their duties.

2.12 To participate in evidence based training and maintain a level of knowledge to fulfil this role through Continual Professional Development [CPD].

2.13 To attend an annual appraisal from your line manager.

2.14 Undertake other duties commensurate with the post as directed.

N.B. This job may involve the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your manager immediately.

1. GENERAL:

To comply at all times with any regulations issued by the Trust, especially those governing Health and Safety at work and to ensure that any defects which may affect safety at work are brought to the attention of the appropriate manager.

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trust's environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.

This job description reflects the present requirements and objectives of the post. As the duties of the post change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and will be subject to amendment, in consultation with the post holder.

You are required to disclose any additional work you undertake or are planning to undertake for another employer.