Biomedical Support Worker – University Hospital Southampton

The Microbiology and Virology department is a regional and national specialist service provider, processing over 1,000,000 specimens per annum. Our department has over 100 permanent staff.

We provide a comprehensive 7 day service covering bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology, serology and parasitology, and have a well-equipped molecular facility.

You will be required to work shifts on a rota system. These include early, day, and late shifts, and also weekend and bank holiday working. We are advertising for full-time positions only.

The Laboratory is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189.  There is a wide range of equipment throughout the department including MALDI-TOF, Sedimax, BD BacTec FX, Serosep Enteric-bio, GeneXpert, BioFire, Hologic Panther, Diasorin Liaison, Qiagen extraction and post elution PCR platforms, ABI7500 real time PCR platforms, Kingfisher PCR extraction and Thermo Quantstudio PCR.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

• You will be expected to work throughout all of sections of the department
• You will be responsible for the reception/data entry and processing of clinical specimens, these include a range of swabs, body fluids, and blood samples
• You will be involved in setting up a range of routine automated and manual laboratory tests
• You must be able to plan and use your own time economically and effectively
• You would ideally have a working knowledge of laboratory areas, but this is not essential as full training is provided