Higher Clinical Support Worker – Microbiology Full Time

Are you looking for a Higher Clinical Support Worker position with a desire to work as part of the largest NHS led Pathology Services in the UK? You will be based at Wexham Park Hospital.

We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and well-motivated individual with good scientific background to complement our existing MLA team.

The role requires participation in a shift system and weekend rota to meet service needs. Typical shifts are from 7:00 AM to 3:15 PM, 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM, and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

You must be keen to embrace new ways of working and develop your knowledge and skills and able to participate in the shift system.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services within Bacteriology. Responsibilities include:

• Operating sophisticated automated laboratory equipment and performing manual techniques under supervision.
• Communicating effectively with hospital clinicians, general practitioners, other healthcare professionals, patients, representatives, and commercial suppliers.
• Ensuring efficiency and accuracy in laboratory processes, maintaining high standards of organization, and demonstrating strong attention to detail.
• Utilizing good keyboard skills for data entry and documentation.
• Working as part of a team while demonstrating reliability and strong practical skills.

Working for our organisation

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme.

We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

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Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The Laboratory Administrative and Technical Assistant is responsible for performing a range of administrative and technical tasks across various sections of the laboratory. The role involves supporting laboratory operations through specimen handling, data management, and ensuring adherence to laboratory protocols. The post holder will work under the indirect supervision of registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS) while ensuring accuracy and efficiency in laboratory processes.

• Archive and retrieve specimens and associated data in line with laboratory protocols
• Maintain archived materials and ensure compliance with audit trail requirements.
• Ensure accuracy in documentation and data entry to maintain the integrity of laboratory records.
• Assist in maintaining and updating laboratory inventory systems.
• Monitor stock levels, ensuring appropriate storage conditions for reagents and/or blood products.
• Ensure batch numbers and expiry dates are recorded accurately to maintain reagent viability.
• Support stock rotation processes to minimize waste and optimize resource use.
• Report any discrepancies in stock levels to the appropriate supervisor.
• Monitor stock levels, ensuring appropriate storage conditions for reagents and/or blood products.
• Ensure batch numbers and expiry dates are recorded accurately to maintain reagent viability.
• Support stock rotation processes to minimize waste and optimize resource use.
• Report any discrepancies in stock levels to the appropriate supervisor
• Adhere to laboratory safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.
• Participate in laboratory audits and quality assurance processes as required.

For further details, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good basic education to include GCSE O Levels / A Levels or NVQ level 3 or IBMS Certificate of Achievement (Part 1)
• Willing to undergo relevant training.

Desirable criteria

• ECDL
• Basic educational qualification in mathematics and Science

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Possess basic IT skills
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Observant of detail, ability to make basic judgement decisions
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to undertake a support role.
• Ability to liaise effectively with clinical and clerical staff.
• Able to follow written instructions
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Able to move between laboratories and sites as required.
• Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ability to follow H&S practice.
• Understands need to work to deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to plan and prioritise
• Understanding of need for service quality.
• Understanding that work relates directly to patient care.

Experience

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a relevant routine laboratory

Special Requirements

Essential criteria

• Must be available to work the extended day / shifts operated in BSPS

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first.

We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities. This includes the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand-new £100m state-of-the-art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services.

We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and future-proofed, featuring on-site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Through our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to helps us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations.

Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care.

Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together.

Apply online now