Job overview
Previous applicants need not apply.
We are looking for part-time ( Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 22.5 hours/week) staff member who is enthusiastic, well-motivated, and reliable individual to join our friendly team in the Microbiology Department at BHR University Hospitals Trust. The department operates across two sites: Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes. While the primary base will be Queens Hospital, the successful candidate will also be required to work at King George Hospital as needed.
Applicants should possess A-Level or NVQ Level 3 qualifications ideally in a science-related subject or have equivalent experience in a similar role. You must be computer literate, able to follow standard operating procedures, and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a keen willingness to learn.
The successful candidate will receive formal training both within the Trust and the Microbiology Department. Ongoing performance will be monitored through regular appraisals and laboratory-based competency assessments.
The role involves working across sections of the laboratory on a rotational basis and weekend duties, however intially for trianing purposes you will be working 3 weekdays before you start the weekend duties.
As a busy department, we require team members who are flexible and collaborative to help us manage and process a high daily workload efficiently. The post also involves working flexible hours during the week, as well as weekends and bank holidays.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will receive, prepare and process clinical specimens for testing, within standard operating procedures. She / he / they will work in all areas of the laboratory on a rotational basis, including cross-site working between Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital. Specimen processing will include manual methods and basic maintenance, loading and trouble-shooting of analysers within the boundary of the role. The post holder will be expected to undertake regular competence assessment to assure delivery of a high quality service and facilitate personal development.
Working for our organisation
We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with.
They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission.
We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care.
We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.
We run a Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The majority of our 8,400 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
Some of the positive changes we’ve made are captured in this film.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.
Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.
All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. A Level/ NVQ3 level of knowledge or equivalent level of experience in a similar role
Desirable criteria
2. Progress to a degree entry qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
3. Proven experience working in a Microbiology laboratory
Desirable criteria
4. Experience working in a NHS laboratory
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
5. Effective time-management and ability to prioritise urgent requests
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of working within a molecular laboratory
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.