University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Medical Laboratory Assistant / Healthcare Science Assistant
Closing date is 13 January 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a fixed‑term, full‑time position as a Medical Laboratory Assistant / Healthcare Science Assistant, as part of the ED Opt Out Project.
You will support the Biomedical Scientists and microbiology team in providing a clinical technical service to achieve efficient and effective patient care. Working as part of a team, you will carry out the receipt, booking‑in, processing and testing of specimens to provide a diagnostic microbiology service. Previous experience in laboratories is essential.
Main duties of the job
* To work in an effective and efficient way following the appropriate Trust and directorate policies, procedures and guidelines including the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* Prepares and processes patient specimens.
* Prepares blood samples for immunoassay testing.
* Prepares urine samples for microscopy.
* Inoculates patient specimen onto culture media for incubation.
* Selects single colonies and inoculates test cards for processing through the VITEK2 identification machine.
* Performs specimen reception tasks including entering accurately patient/specimen details onto the departmental computer system maintaining a valid database.
* Maintains and supports the effective use of available resources (equipment and stock) in an efficient way.
Closing date of applications: 13 January 2026
Interview date: 27 January 2026
If you are considering applying for an internal secondment, please ensure you have discussed this with your line manager and obtained their support prior to submitting your application.
Please be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be released from your substantive post, so you should seek approval before applying as you are applying for a secondment.
About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.
Our fundamental values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:
* Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development.
* On‑going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
* Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes.
Key Facts:
* We see on average 4,810 OP appointments a day.
* We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2,077 per week.
* An average of 1,115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
* Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
* Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
* We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
* We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
* UHDB is a research‑active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship. Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers.
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 2 Clinical Lab Support
Experience
* Knowledge of Health and Safety policies.
* Laboratory experience.
Communication Skills
* Effective communication.
* Involvement in training.
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.
Employer name
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
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