Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; New Romney; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000

Job description

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

About
At UHSussex, we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, ambition, and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented, and dedicated people work together towards a common goal to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff, which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching, and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career, we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Key details

Location: St Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, PO19 6SE

Contract type & working pattern:
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday with extra Saturday working on rota)

Salary
Salary: £24,071 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: Band 3

Job Overview
The Microbiology Department is looking for Band 3 Senior Medical Laboratory Assistants. The successful candidates will be working alongside other Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistants, as well as Band 4 Associate Practitioners and Band 2 Medical Laboratory Assistants based at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, supporting the Band 6 and 7 Specialist Biomedical Scientists and reporting to the Microbiology Head Biomedical Scientist.

The successful individuals will ideally have worked in a Diagnostic Microbiology laboratory in a Medical Laboratory Assistant or Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant role.

Role Summary
The Band 3 SMLA will need to be able to deal with telephone enquiries (seeking scientific advice where required); to undertake manual & automated laboratory investigations as required; perform routine maintenance on instrumentation and undertake first line troubleshooting of malfunctions; use appropriate EQA & IQC; provide routine & non-routine preparation of specimens; undertake work management to ensure reporting of results is conducted in the timeframes; work to ensure ongoing compliance with UKAS ISO 15189, audits, etc.; ensure compliance with the departmental Quality Policy & Manual; contribute to the preparation of SOPs; under supervision participate in the training of new & less experienced personnel; maintain a portfolio of competencies and CPD; and help evaluate new equipment & methodologies as directed by the Lead Biomedical Scientist. The Band 3 SMLA will be expected to support with preparation of samples, including associated administrative duties.

The Microbiology team is based at St Richard's hospital and provides diagnostic testing for a variety of sample types from patients attending Hospitals, Clinics, and GP surgeries across West Sussex.

In addition, the post-holder will be expected to participate in the Saturday and Bank Holiday rota.

Please See Job Description For Further Details.

Important information for applicants:
Please note, the use of AI-generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the manager's discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected]. For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].

Person specification
Experience, Qualifications & Skills
Essential criteria

• NVQ3 or equivalent award, including IBMS Certificates, etc.
• Good level of Numeracy and English, ideally GCSE Grade C or higher or equivalent.
• Experience working in a discipline-specific NHS laboratory.
• Proven ability to correctly and appropriately use relevant Laboratory equipment and documentation procedures.
• Demonstrable computer keyboard skills to a high standard.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate well both written & oral.
• Proven ability to work to given schedules and rotas and to prioritise urgent and emergency workloads.
• Demonstrable abilities to use IT, including Windows-based software in particular Word and Excel.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• Experience using relevant laboratory instrumentation utilised within the department.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise and train subordinate staff.
• Experience of participating in the testing of equipment.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Paul Randell
Job title: Lead Biomedical Scientist
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 01243 831632
Additional information: Alternative, please contact Senior Biomedical Scientist on ext 33560.