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Job summary

Main area
Microbiology
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent: The main base is St Richards hospital, Chichester.
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday with extra Saturday working on rota)
Job ref
279-6750584-JAN25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Richards hospital
Town
Chichester
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/02/2025 23:59

Employer heading

279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology

Band 3

 About our Trust

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, the ambition and the 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. 

 

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.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a team in the Microbiology Department, performing a wide range of routine and non-routine clinical, scientific or technical procedures usually under the direction of an appropriately regulated practitioner. 

The individual will be expected to support  the provision of a specialised, diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory service contributing to the clinical care of the patient, to enable diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment given.

They will be expected to be fully competent to undertake routine processing and testing of specimens in the department, performing routine and advanced procedures and investigations as required.

 

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our 
Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 - 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.
 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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 samples 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.

There is also a possibility that the candidate may be needed to work at the BSUH site or PRH as integration between the sites in UHSussex continues.

See attached Job description

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.
  • Experiencing 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).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

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

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