Quality Control Laboratory Assistant (Higher Level)

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are recruiting for a Quality Control Laboratory Assistant (higher Level) who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.

The Quality Control Department at Lister hospital is a specialist unit providing pharmaceutical and scientific services to NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers and commercial organisations.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable, and conscientious individual who has a keen eye for detail and a strong work ethic.

Please note that this is a non-clinical role, and you will not be in contact with patients or any patient specimens, but you will work in laboratory environment.

Our laboratory assistant role supports various functions of the Quality Control laboratories. You will need to be organised to meet deadlines and able to prioritise your own workload in a busy environment. Your role will include training, supervision, and co-ordination of the assistant team. Training for this role will be provided and on-going support from senior staff will be available.

At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.

Main duties of the job

You will deal with customers and health professionals on a first line contact/response basis.

The role includes various duties such as answering phone calls, receipt and logging of samples, processing of documentation, samples and products and their dispatch to customers.

You will also undertake physical, chemical, and microbiological testing and microbiology media preparation.

To undertake, supervise and coordinate all support duties assigned by senior staff in chemistry and microbiology laboratories as well as in the sample reception strictly in accordance with the approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and in line with the requirements of Good Manufacturing and Good Laboratory Practice.

To actively participate in all training activities related to the post and keep own training records up to date.

To communicate effectively with colleagues, other Trust staff and clients in both spoken and written language.

To be aware of the patient needs and customer care aspects and carry out all tasks in line with Trust values.

About us

At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general & specialist services we provide & our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible & innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.

We run the following hospitals:

  • The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
  • New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
  • Hertford County, Hertford
  • Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood

We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation; our staff & patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.

We understand that finding and starting a new job is an important life decision. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, or a life event, such as menopause - so that we can consider your application fairly & to get the best out of you during the selection process, please let us know.

We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. Employees are entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns & we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made & considered formally, & will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.

Date posted

26 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

Depending on experience per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

361-6966940

Job locations

Lister Hospital

Coreys Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

Essential

  • Relevant NVQ 3 or equivalent in science based subject or equivalent experience.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Previous relevant experience

Skills

Essential

  • Laboratory skills and willingness to undertake training
  • Good IT skills
  • Ability to work accurately and concentrate on repetitive tasks being undertaken for long periods of time.
  • Ability to use own initiative and work without supervision and be task oriented and well organized.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Data bases
  • Understanding of confidentiality issues
  • Understanding of Health & Safety at Work and COSHH Regulations
  • An appreciation of quality of service issues

Other requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel easily between trust sites
  • To wear PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) including a laboratory coat, goggles and gloves for prolonged periods of time.
  • To be able to carry and manipulate moderately heavy equipment and occasionally work at heights. (Occasional work in confined spaces may also be required).
  • Must be able to work standing continuously or sitting continuously for prolonged periods of time.
  • To be flexible and willing to work out of hours when required , this may include traveling and transporting equipment to customer sites
  • Regularly required to work in an environment where there will be the possibility of exposure to laboratory chemicals, microbiological contamination, unpleasant odours
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Role model our Trust values every day
Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

Essential

  • Relevant NVQ 3 or equivalent in science based subject or equivalent experience.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Previous relevant experience

Skills

Essential

  • Laboratory skills and willingness to undertake training
  • Good IT skills
  • Ability to work accurately and concentrate on repetitive tasks being undertaken for long periods of time.
  • Ability to use own initiative and work without supervision and be task oriented and well organized.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Data bases
  • Understanding of confidentiality issues
  • Understanding of Health & Safety at Work and COSHH Regulations
  • An appreciation of quality of service issues

Other requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel easily between trust sites
  • To wear PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) including a laboratory coat, goggles and gloves for prolonged periods of time.
  • To be able to carry and manipulate moderately heavy equipment and occasionally work at heights. (Occasional work in confined spaces may also be required).
  • Must be able to work standing continuously or sitting continuously for prolonged periods of time.
  • To be flexible and willing to work out of hours when required , this may include traveling and transporting equipment to customer sites
  • Regularly required to work in an environment where there will be the possibility of exposure to laboratory chemicals, microbiological contamination, unpleasant odours
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Role model our Trust values every day

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

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Address

Lister Hospital

Coreys Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB


Employer's website

https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East and North Herts NHS Trust

Address

Lister Hospital

Coreys Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB


Employer's website

https://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

QC Scientist

Hiba Alhamidi

h.alhamidi@nhs.net

Date posted

26 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

Depending on experience per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

361-6966940

Job locations

Lister Hospital

Coreys Mill Lane

Stevenage

SG1 4AB


Supporting documents

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