Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- 3
- Contract
- Permanent: hours to be worked across a 7 day week with 2 weekend shifts per month and approx 2 bank holidays per year (dependent on staffing numbers)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 359-7049731-T3
- Employer
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- maidstone hospital
- Town
- Maidstone
- Salary
- £24,071 - £25,674 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/03/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Medical Laboratory Assistant
3
Job overview
The Microbiology Department at Maidstone Hospital are looking for someone with an interest in Biology/infectious diseases who enjoys practical science, to join our growing team of laboratory assistants and Biomedical Scientists as we process specimens to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. This post will not automatically lead to a BMS one but would be a good opportunity to gain practical skills for progression or an interesting and enjoyable career in its own right.
Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) support Biomedical Scientists in the provision of diagnostic and therapeutic services within the Microbiology department. Working under supervision and autonomously, responsibilities include:
Processing specimens in the bacteriology, serology, enteric and molecular sections of the department. Band 3 will also be required to assist in specimen reception, data entry, stock control, waste disposal areas. Specimens include: swabs, urine, faeces and blood
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role include rotation through all areas of the laboratory on a monthly basis to include:
Specimen reception, data entry, stock control, waste disposal, processing specimens, use of automated analysers and manual work with agar in petri dishes, also training of other staff and participation in the quality management system - setting up repeat specimens, quality controls etc
See attached job description for full details. Responsible for working to prescribed Standard operating procedures and required timelines once competencies completed in all areas of the department. This will involve being able to multi task.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 5 GCSE including maths and english
- A levels
Desirable criteria
- NVQ level 3 in laboratory support
skills
Essential criteria
- typing speed >30wpm
- Basic computer skills
- Command of written and spoken English
- Numeracy
- Organisational skills
Experience
Essential criteria
- previous laboratory practical experience (may be eductional)
- interest in science (examples - reading, STEM amassador)
- Working as a member of a team
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Katherine Sparks
- Job title
- Pre analytic supervisor
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01622 224040
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