Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent and Fixed term until 12th Feb 2026
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 432-HR433-25
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ipswich Hospital
- Town
- Ipswich
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology
NHS AfC: Band 3
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 the 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
The Microbiology Laboratory at Ipswich Hospital are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are professional, reliable, innovative and flexible to join our friendly and hardworking team.
Previous laboratory experience is preferred but not essential.
You should have an interest in healthcare science, be self-confident and motivated. You must possess a wide range of skills demonstrating good numeracy and literacy, a high standard of verbal and written English, computer, keyboard skills and possess good attention to detail.
You will be required to work flexibly in reflection of service needs. This may include an extended working day and it will include weekend working.
Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document)
Main duties of the job
- Perform a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science activities under supervision, e.g. performs standard microbiology tests.
- Act as a Medical Laboratory Assistant to provide support to the scientific team providing services to patients and clients as an aid to clinic diagnosis.
- Maintain clinical records in relation to activities carried out.
- Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced employees.
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
Education
Essential criteria
- GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Appropriate NVQ level 3/diploma
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma
Desirable criteria
- Practical experience of working in a laboratory
- Previous work experience
- Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
- Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going training and development
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Emma Whittaker
- Job title
- Microbiology Laboratory Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01473 703750
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Colchester General Hospital
- Telephone
- 07789651269
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