Job summary Your role will be ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) work and the policies and procedures of the department. You will work with other Support Staff to carry out the receipt, numbering, data entry, processing and preparation of specimens (urine, swabs, faeces, sputa and other body fluids and tissues) to aid the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease working within the main Microbiology and patient testing laboratories. The microbiology department comprises of four disciplines or sections: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology and Molecular and handles approx. 366,000 specimens per year, of which 146,000 are covid samples. Service delivery is 24/7. Main duties of the job Ensuring that all procedures are undertaken according to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) work and the policies and procedures of the department. To support the scientific and technical work of qualified staff in the Microbiology main and near patient testing laboratories Also responsible for setting up and processing of specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment and for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under supervision of BMS. About us The microbiology department comprises of four disciplines or sections: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology and Molecular and handles approx. 366,000 specimens per year, of which 146,000 are covid samples. Service delivery is 24/7. Why work with us - Torbay Hospital provides acute care for the local community and has several community hospitals, and is a hot-spot for those who are considering living by the sea or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park and an hour to Exmoor National Park. Meanwhile, Plymouth and Exeter are also both within a short drive to enjoy the culture, maritime history and shopping experiences. Date posted 17 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum (pro rata for part time) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 388-6755324-HS Job locations Microbiology Torbay Hospital Lawes Bridge Torquay TQ2 7AA Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification. Service Delivery To work under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist within departmentally agreed policies relating to data entry and specimen handling and preparation, ensuring that sufficient attention is paid to detail for the work being undertaken Assist in training of new or less experienced support staff and to act as their mentor To rotate through assigned sections of the department as required Expected to plan and prioritise own workload Must adhere to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) After training perform test procedures as required To undertake data entry of patient and diagnostic information using the Trust and laboratory IT systems To attend laboratory meetings when appropriate To help to promote a favourable departmental image by dealing courteously and effectively with members of the public and with all other staff Bench housekeeping and monitoring of certain equipment (e.g. fridges, freezers, incubators) Respond to telephone enquiries from staff in both primary and secondary care Clerical duties as directed (filing, photocopying, labels etc.) To take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision and action To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that may be specific to individual departments Technical Sort specimens on arrival in the laboratory Primary technical processing of samples including inoculating culture plates, setting up smears for microscopy, staining of smears etc To use laboratory equipment under supervision and ensure it is maintained correctly To operate certain analysers within the department under supervision of Biomedical Scientist staff (value up to £75K) Responsible for setting up and processing of specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment Responsible for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under supervision of BMS Governance & Quality To comply with quality standards determined by UKAS including provision of support for audit programmes as identified To work within Quality Management System, departmentally agreed policies and SOPs To report any deficiencies in Quality promptly to the Quality Lead and/or Quality Manager To verify that full patient details are provided and that they correlate between sample and request To verify that correct samples are received for the tests requested Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care To ensure that laboratory equipment used is maintained properly Conducts basic audits as directed by senior staff, e.g. recording origins of all unlabelled or inadequately labelled samples or leaking specimens Expected to comment on and suggest changes to working practices in their area which would improve service and benefit the team Responsible for completing documents in accordance with ISO 15189 requirements Responsible for maintaining competency in all laboratory sections Responsible for reading and acknowledging SOPs appropriate to job role Responsible for attending and taking part in section team meetings Must participate in annual review (appraisal) and keep mandatory training up to date Stock, Equipment and Other Resources To ensure sufficient stocks are available to maintain service delivery Deal with deliveries as appropriate, including unpacking and storing in appropriate areas, e.g. fridge, freezer, room temp. Disposing of delivery wrapping appropriately Responsible for good stock rotation Record batch numbers of each delivery of goods for quality and audit purposes Assist with replenishment of in-use consumables for use of all staff on a daily basis Responsible for informing the associate practitioner when stock required. Responsible for stock-taking media supplies When required place orders for reagents and consumables using Trust and Manage Service provider systems H&S / Risk Responsible ensuring a safe working environment, according to Laboratory Health and Safety Manual To undergo all mandatory training as required by the Trust To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that may be specific to individual departments Responsible for safe disposal of certain items of infectious waste, e.g. old samples, waste bins Responsible for safe packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories, in accordance with legal requirements for transport of biohazardous samples Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification. Service Delivery To work under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist within departmentally agreed policies relating to data entry and specimen handling and preparation, ensuring that sufficient attention is paid to detail for the work being undertaken Assist in training of new or less experienced support staff and to act as their mentor To rotate through assigned sections of the department as required Expected to plan and prioritise own workload Must adhere to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) After training perform test procedures as required To undertake data entry of patient and diagnostic information using the Trust and laboratory IT systems To attend laboratory meetings when appropriate To help to promote a favourable departmental image by dealing courteously and effectively with members of the public and with all other staff Bench housekeeping and monitoring of certain equipment (e.g. fridges, freezers, incubators) Respond to telephone enquiries from staff in both primary and secondary care Clerical duties as directed (filing, photocopying, labels etc.) To take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision and action To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that may be specific to individual departments Technical Sort specimens on arrival in the laboratory Primary technical processing of samples including inoculating culture plates, setting up smears for microscopy, staining of smears etc To use laboratory equipment under supervision and ensure it is maintained correctly To operate certain analysers within the department under supervision of Biomedical Scientist staff (value up to £75K) Responsible for setting up and processing of specified ELISA & Molecular Assays on automated equipment Responsible for setting up antibiotic sensitivity tests under supervision of BMS Governance & Quality To comply with quality standards determined by UKAS including provision of support for audit programmes as identified To work within Quality Management System, departmentally agreed policies and SOPs To report any deficiencies in Quality promptly to the Quality Lead and/or Quality Manager To verify that full patient details are provided and that they correlate between sample and request To verify that correct samples are received for the tests requested Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care To ensure that laboratory equipment used is maintained properly Conducts basic audits as directed by senior staff, e.g. recording origins of all unlabelled or inadequately labelled samples or leaking specimens Expected to comment on and suggest changes to working practices in their area which would improve service and benefit the team Responsible for completing documents in accordance with ISO 15189 requirements Responsible for maintaining competency in all laboratory sections Responsible for reading and acknowledging SOPs appropriate to job role Responsible for attending and taking part in section team meetings Must participate in annual review (appraisal) and keep mandatory training up to date Stock, Equipment and Other Resources To ensure sufficient stocks are available to maintain service delivery Deal with deliveries as appropriate, including unpacking and storing in appropriate areas, e.g. fridge, freezer, room temp. Disposing of delivery wrapping appropriately Responsible for good stock rotation Record batch numbers of each delivery of goods for quality and audit purposes Assist with replenishment of in-use consumables for use of all staff on a daily basis Responsible for informing the associate practitioner when stock required. Responsible for stock-taking media supplies When required place orders for reagents and consumables using Trust and Manage Service provider systems H&S / Risk Responsible ensuring a safe working environment, according to Laboratory Health and Safety Manual To undergo all mandatory training as required by the Trust To undergo all training as required for the above duties and any others that may be specific to individual departments Responsible for safe disposal of certain items of infectious waste, e.g. old samples, waste bins Responsible for safe packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories, in accordance with legal requirements for transport of biohazardous samples Person Specification Knowledge and experience Essential Understanding of the Data Protection Act Understanding of Health & Safety in the workplace Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures Desirable Science Background Use of the Winpath LIMS (laboratory information management system) Experience of Excel spreadsheets Experience working in a Microbiology Lab Qualifications and training Essential Strong interest in science (at least 1 GCSE in a science subject) OR previous laboratory experience GCSE English GCSE Maths Desirable A level in a science subject Knowledge across range of laboratory procedures acquired through training to NVQ3 level or equivalent Person Specification Knowledge and experience Essential Understanding of the Data Protection Act Understanding of Health & Safety in the workplace Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures Desirable Science Background Use of the Winpath LIMS (laboratory information management system) Experience of Excel spreadsheets Experience working in a Microbiology Lab Qualifications and training Essential Strong interest in science (at least 1 GCSE in a science subject) OR previous laboratory experience GCSE English GCSE Maths Desirable A level in a science subject Knowledge across range of laboratory procedures acquired through training to NVQ3 level or equivalent 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 Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Address Microbiology Torbay Hospital Lawes Bridge Torquay TQ2 7AA Employer's website https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)