Biomedical Support Worker

The role involves receiving blood sample requests, entering requests onto the hospital computer system, pre-analytics (preparing the samples for processing), loading and unloading analysers, preparing a variety of sample types for certain tests e.g. PCR Covid-19 testing.
+ The Blood Sciences Department at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently have a vacancy for a Biomedical Support Worker.
+ The role will include rotation into the laboratory departments/ sections as required.
+ For this Blood Sciences support worker role it is essential that you have the ability to work flexibly, including covering Early (08:00 - 16:00), Mini Late (10:30 - 19:00), Late (14:00 to 22:00) and Night Shifts (when required - 22:00-08:00), Monday to Sunday. This will be alongside core working days of 09.00 - 17.30., + Sample reception duties including receiving requests and booking requests into the IT system.
+ Preparing samples for analysis i.e. centrifuging samples.
+ Loading and unloading samples onto the laboratory automation and analysers.
+ Answering phone enquiries and giving out validated test results.
+ Providing 24/7 cover by participating in early, day, evening, night and weekend shifts when required.
+ Performing sample analysis e.g. Covid-19 and HbA1c testing.
+ Storeroom and stock control duties.
+ Manual handling is required as part of these duties.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
+ The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
+ Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
+ Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000. This includes 357,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.

Band 2
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit., Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £23 (standard) or £43 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.
The cost of the DBS application is £23 (standard) or £43 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Overseas Candidates
The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.