Job vacancy: NVQ Apprentice - Healthcare science, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth

Job summary

Main area: Microbiology
Grade: 17,125
Contract: 18 months (Fixed term contract for 18 months)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 216-PL-C7413728

Employer: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Microbiology Department (Level 5)
Town: Plymouth
Salary: £14,722 - £17,125 Final 6 months will be at minimum wage for candidates age
Salary period: Hourly
Closing: 18/09/2025 23:59

NVQ Apprentice - Healthcare science

17,125

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To follow laboratory Standard Operating Procedure for the sorting of specimens when assisting in the laboratory’s specimen reception area.
To deal in a pleasant and helpful manner, with personal callers to the laboratory’s reception area. To include porters, nursing staff, medical staff and members of the public.
When trained to do so, to enter swiftly and accurately confidential patient and specimen details into computer system(s).
When trained to do so, to check patient details are correct using Trust’s PIMS system, correlating the requesting department from here as necessary.
Scanning of forms to computer system. Clearing errors and re-scanning as required.
Scanning of Reference Laboratory results.
To report all complaints/anomalies to a senior member of staff.
To pass all returned reports to a senior member of staff for logging.
Photocopying, faxing, filing and any other general office duties.
To cover the duties of other clerical staff in their absence where possible.
To prepare samples and complete the necessary documentation for special tests dispatched to other reference laboratories, complying with all the relevant postal and packaging regulations. To log these requests on an Access Database, monitoring receipt of the report and scanning this to iLab. To review long outstanding reports with the Serology Senior BMS, ‘chasing up’ if deemed appropriate.
To receive specimens/request forms in reception following the Specimen Reception SOP and checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form/electronic request.
To bring to the attention of senior BMS all rejected samples due to inadequate patient ID/requester information or incorrect sample type for the test requested.
Ensure that samples received match work lists, the patient ID is correct before testing and there is sufficient sample to perform the assay.
To plan and prioritise own work under supervision and be fully aware of service requirements
Participate in the rotas for ATO and support staff
To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
Assist in the general running of specific analysers, equipment or tests.
Perform basic maintenance checks as directed.
Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
To attend meetings and training courses as necessary.
To complete Statutory and Essential Update Training annually.
To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory.
To attend departmental briefings and/or acquaint yourself with the team brief posted on the departmental notice boards.
To carry out other duties commensurate with the post.
To be aware of and support the goal of providing a quality driven patient centred service, participating in the laboratory’s quality management procedures.
To rectify and or bring to the attention of more senior staff/Laboratory Management any issues compromising this goal.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Good all round education including GCSE (or equivalent) in English, Maths and 2 other subjects.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria

Demonstrable previous Scientific experience
Proven knowledge of the role of Pathology labs
Willingness to learn and complete the NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship in Helathcare science

Desirable criteria

Proven ability to work with biological samples from patients.

Aptitude and Ability

Essential criteria

Understanding of patient confidentiality within an NHS setting

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

For Doctors Roles:

Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.

We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.

In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.

We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.

Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.

In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.