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Job summary

Main area
Microbiology
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
37.5 hours per week (Full time)
Job ref
249-7462861
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Biomedical Support Worker - Microbiology

Band 3

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a Permanent Band 3 Biomedical Support Worker to join our Team.

As a Biomedical Support Worker you will work as an integral part of the laboratory team, assisting Biomedical Scientists within the laboratory, including the processing of clinical specimens for Bacteriological culture, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, undertaking housekeeping tasks within the laboratory and any other tasks required by the Scientific team.

Main duties of the job

To work as an integral part of the laboratory team, assisting Biomedical Scientists within the laboratory, including the processing of clinical specimens for Bacteriological culture, operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, undertaking housekeeping tasks within the laboratory and any other tasks required by the Scientific team.

Working for our organisation

“Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.”

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.            At all times to act in accordance with and adhere to laboratory and Trust procedures and protocols.

 2.           To rotate (after suitable training and competency testing) through all sections of the Microbiology department.

 3.           To use personal protective equipment as required by the laboratory’s health and safety procedures.

 4.           To carry out the pre analytical processing of samples received into the laboratory.

 5.           To process clinical specimens for Bacteriological culture.

 6.           To undertake the referral of specimens to reference laboratories.

 7.           To undertake housekeeping tasks including the disposal of laboratory waste and operation of autoclave sterilisers.

 8.           After suitable training, to carry out basic maintenance and operation of laboratory equipment.

 9.           To participate in rotas covering Extended days Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays as required.

 10.         To participate in mandatory training requirements of the Trust and attend training sessions and educational meetings as appropriate.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Grades 9-4 (A*-C) at GCSE or Equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Qualification in Clinical Laboratory Support or IT/Keyboard skills (NVQ 3 level) or equivalent.
  • Evidence of training in Health & Safety and Quality.
  • Evidence of training in Customer Service.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a busy, high throughput environment.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working in an NHS environment.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Christopher Frearson
Job title
Acting Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01793 604798
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