Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 432-HR1315-25
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Colchester Hospital
- Town
- Colchester
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/03/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 31/03/2026
Employer heading
Associate Practitioner - Microbiology
NHS AfC: Band 4
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job overview
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are professional, reliable, innovative and flexible to join our friendly team in our Microbiology Laboratory at Colchester Hospital.
Our vision is to deliver innovations and high-performing pathology services that are focused on our customers whilst delivering high quality and fully compliant services. We are clinically led and designed to achieve the benefits of scale that can be achieved by working together, while remaining close enough to our customers to meet their needs and support the excellent clinical care provided by our hospitals.
Training will be provided however extensive knowledge of pathology would be advantageous. If you do not meet the full specifications for the Band 4 post, you will be offered a Band 3 developmental post whilst you undergo training and competencies.
These posts will involve shift and weekend working and we are happy to consider full and part time.
We are looking for a healthcare professional who can understand the changing services of pathology and represent the new service going forward.
Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document)
Main duties of the job
The nature of this role requires extensive team working, self-management and an advanced knowledge of Specimen Reception. Training and developing others, leadership and processing referral work are key components of the role.
You will undertake cross training to extend your skillset and will need to be flexible to respond to the needs of the service. You will work as part of a team and need the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. The role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Along with good communication skills you will need integrity and personal credibility, putting the patient first in everything that is undertaken.
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties
- Demonstrable practical experience of working in a laboratory
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
- Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Education
Essential criteria
- Appropriate NVQ 3/diploma or equivalent
- Additional theoretical or applied training to diploma equivalent level
Desirable criteria
- Working towards Foundation degree or equivalent
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Katie Burns
- Job title
- Microbiology Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01206 747374
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Colchester General Hospital
- Telephone
- 07789651269
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