Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 3 Medical Laboratory Assistant - Microbiology (Part Time)

The closing date is 14 October 2025

Job summary

We are looking for part-time ( Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 22.5 hours/week) staff member who is enthusiastic, well-motivated, and reliable individual to join our friendly team in the Microbiology Department at BHR University Hospitals Trust. The department operates across two sites: Queen's Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes. While the primary base will be Queens Hospital, the successful candidate will also be required to work at King George Hospital as needed.

Applicants should possess A-Level or NVQ Level 3 qualifications ideally in a science-related subject or have equivalent experience in a similar role. You must be computer literate, able to follow standard operating procedures, and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, along with a keen willingness to learn.

The successful candidate will receive formal training both within the Trust and the Microbiology Department. Ongoing performance will be monitored through regular appraisals and laboratory-based competency assessments.

The role involves working across sections of the laboratory on a rotational basis and weekend duties, however intially for trianing purposes you will be working 3 weekdays before you start the weekend duties.

As a busy department, we require team members who are flexible and collaborative to help us manage and process a high daily workload efficiently. The post also involves working flexible hours during the week, as well as weekends and bank holidays.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will receive, prepare and process clinical specimens for testing, within standard operating procedures. She / he / they will work in all areas of the laboratory on a rotational basis, including cross-site working between Queen's Hospital and King George Hospital. Specimen processing will include manual methods and basic maintenance, loading and trouble-shooting of analysers within the boundary of the role. The post holder will be expected to undertake regular competence assessment to assure delivery of a high quality service and facilitate personal development.

About us

We're an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we're proud of and our patients are happy with. We're no longer in special measures; we've opened two new theatres at our Elective Surgical Hub in King George Hospital (KGH); and Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, has been named the top CEO by the Health Service Journal.

We operate from two main sites - KGH in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 330,000 people visiting them last year. We're campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen's and get rid of corridor care.

Our patients are benefitting from our Women's Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch.

These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and are providing an extra 88,000 scans a year.

The majority of our 8,000 staff - who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We're proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

We're looking forward to introducing an electronic patient record that will be transformative for our staff and beneficial for our patients.

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£17,790 to £18,787 a year Per Annum Inclusive (22.5hrs per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

162-7024-AV-A

Job locations

Across Site

Romford/Ilford

RM7 0AG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Person Specification

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • A Level/ NVQ3 level of knowledge or equivalent level of experience in a similar role

Desirable

  • Progress to a degree entry qualification

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years' experience working in a Microbiology laboratory

Desirable

  • Experience working in a NHS laboratory

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Effective time-management and ability to prioritise urgent requests

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a molecular laboratory
Person Specification

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • A Level/ NVQ3 level of knowledge or equivalent level of experience in a similar role

Desirable

  • Progress to a degree entry qualification

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years' experience working in a Microbiology laboratory

Desirable

  • Experience working in a NHS laboratory

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Effective time-management and ability to prioritise urgent requests

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a molecular laboratory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across Site

Romford/Ilford

RM7 0AG


Employer's website

https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across Site

Romford/Ilford

RM7 0AG


Employer's website

https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head BMS

Feny Johny William

feny.johnywilliam@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£17,790 to £18,787 a year Per Annum Inclusive (22.5hrs per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

162-7024-AV-A

Job locations

Across Site

Romford/Ilford

RM7 0AG


Supporting documents

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