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Job Overview
BGL is part of the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SW GLH) which delivers genomic testing for patients with cancer and rare disease throughout the South West region. We are a large, well equipped, and friendly lab that values the experience new team members can bring to the role.
The laboratory is looking to recruit assistants to work in our busy Specimen Reception operation, as part of our welcoming technical team. Applicants should possess a good standard of general education (e.g., GCSE or equivalent, ideally to include Science), good keyboard/data entry skills and a calm, meticulous approach to work. Full support and training will be provided.
Our laboratory is actively building a diverse teams and welcome applications from everyone, of all ages and backgrounds, interested in a position in our growing organisation.
The laboratory is open between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm, including bank holidays and weekends and we offer flexible working options to support the diverse requirements of our staff. Offers of part-time hours, weekend working, and compressed hours will all be considered.
The work we perform helps provide answers to some of the most difficult questions facing patients and families across the UK and beyond. If you would like to join our team, knowing your work will go towards something truly valuable then please apply.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work as part of our Preparation Teams - the first step in the sample journey through Bristol Genetics Laboratory. The role involves unpacking deliveries to the laboratory, sorting biological samples and referral information, and entering patient and testing data onto our laboratory computer system. Accurate, meticulous work and good keyboard skills are key to this role.
Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust is one of the largest healthcare trusts in the South West of England. We provide hospital and community healthcare to people living in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
NBT
CARE
S. It’s a very simple statement; one which epitomises how everybody across our organisation goes the extra mile to ensure our patients get the best possible care.
Caring – because it underpins everything we do for our patients and the way we care for one another.
Ambitious – because it signals that we always want to improve what we do on behalf of our patients and one another
Respectful – because every individual has an important role to play
Supportive – because we’re a team and deliver together
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Staff benefits include access to on-site, tax-free childcare through the Childcare Salary Sacrifice Scheme, an excellent package of pension benefits through the NHS Pension Scheme and teams dedicated to providing our staff with physical, psychological and financial support. For our complete list of staff benefits please visit our website.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Staff
- To assist in the technical training of trainee staff as directed by training officers.
- To participate in staff appraisal according to Trust policies and procedures.
Laboratory
- To receive and process samples submitted to the Department in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
- To personally organise allocated work.
- To maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all duties
- To ensure the efficient and safe use of consumables and equipment within own working area.
- To participate in specimen reception/booking in and sample send away duties, including assisting with associated administrative and clerical duties in the laboratory.
- To be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment with which they are working.
- To participate in internal and external quality control procedures.
- To participate in quality assurance procedures, as appropriate.
- To participate in audit as required, relating to numbers and failure rates of tests.
- To work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures developed for use in the Department, and assist in the review of these as required.
- To abide by all Codes of Practice, Safety Regulations, statutory requirements and operational policies of the department and the service.
Communication
- To answer telephone enquiries, liaising with senior staff as appropriate
- To communicate with other members of the technical team to provide effective cover for work.
IM&T
- To be competent in using the department computer system.
- Professional
- To attend in-house training sessions as appropriate, and to maintain personal training records as required.
Person specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent in English, Maths and Science
Work Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of using computer systems and data input
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working as a support grade worker in a Pathology Laboratory
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- IT and keyboard skills
- Ability to undertake own work and exercise initiative under the supervision of qualified staff
- Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads
- Ability to deal with confidential information appropriately
- Ability to work within established health and safety guidelines
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of sample types and requirements
If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.
Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.
If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.
North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.
At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.
Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.
