Biomedical Support Worker Apprenticeship

+ Supporting the Specimen Reception team with day-to-day tasks.
+ Learning and applying office administrative skills, such as data entry and record management.
+ Demonstrating strong IT skills and a professional telephone manner.
+ Ensuring accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks undertaken., As a member of the Microbiology Service team at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, your primary duties will include:
1. Administrative and Clerical Support:
o Undertaking routine administrative tasks to ensure the efficient operation of the Microbiology department.
o Assisting in managing documentation, records, and correspondence within the department.
2. Collaboration and Teamwork:
o Working closely with team members across the Reception, Bacteriology, and Virology sections to support daily activities.
o Attending regular meetings with your supervisor and assessor to monitor progress and address any challenges.
3. Training and Development:
o Participating and logging laboratory training
o Completing coursework and assignments as part of the apprenticeship programme.
4. Achieving a Recognised Qualification:
o Working towards a Healthcare Science Level 2 Qualification, which will be fully supported throughout your training period.
This role is ideal for someone looking to gain practical experience in a healthcare setting while developing both professional and technical skills., "Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."
The Microbiology Department at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust plays a vital role within the Pathology service, delivering high-quality diagnostic Microbiology services to both the Trust and the local community.
Located in a modern hospital, opened in 2001, the department is situated on the outskirts of Swindon, a vibrant town on the edge of the picturesque Cotswolds. Swindon offers convenient access to the M4 corridor and boasts excellent transport links, connecting the hospital to the surrounding countryside and beyond.
Facilities and Amenities
The hospital provides a range of on-site facilities designed for comfort and convenience, including:
+ A restaurant offering varied dining options.
+ Crèche facilities to support staff with childcare needs.
+ A selection of coffee and tea outlets for quick refreshment.
Additionally, the Microbiology Department benefits from its own dedicated rest area, conveniently located just a short walk from the main laboratory., + Accurate inputting of test request information into the Laboratory Information Management System.
+ Safe receipt and handling of laboratory specimens.
+ Verification of appropriate sample types and matching of samples with request forms.
+ Bar coding and distribution of samples to appropriate laboratory staff.
+ To operate a laboratory centrifuge for pre-testing sample preparation.
+ General enquires service by telephone and Lab administrative duties where necessary.
+ Collecting specimens from pathology specimen reception.
+ Use of printer and scanner.
+ Using various documents to maintain presentations, records & spread sheets.
+ Use of email.
+ Using Microsoft office to produce correspondence and documents.
+ Use of the quality management system.
+ Working in line with data protection and patient confidentiality.
Additional Information:
We welcome informal enquiries or requests for visits to the department. For more information, please contact:
Christopher Frearson

[email protected]
Thank you for expressing interest in this role. For further employer guidance, please review the attached supplementary applicant information.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to eligibility of the role for a skilled worker visa and salary requirements. Not all roles in the Trust are eligible for sponsorship.
Eligibility for this role requires:
+ Current right to work in the UK, subject to verification.
+ Qualification of the eligibility sponsorship criteria
From 4 April 2024, UK immigration policy changes has increased minimum salary levels for skilled workers. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
Current employees should be aware that this position is advertised as a Great Western Hospitals position and appointment ends any TUPE protection.
Candidates are responsible for covering the cost of their own DBS check if required: £18 for a Standard DBS check, recoverable from the first pay, or £38 for an Enhanced DBS check, divided and recoverable over the initial two pay periods. Payment for DBS checks for bank posts must be settled prior to commencement. Apprentices are exempt from DBS payment.
We are committed to supporting our staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance through flexible work arrangements. Upon joining the Trust, you have the right to request flexible working, with an unlimited number of requests allowed.
Upon acceptance of a job offer, your information will be transferred to the national NHS Electronic Staff Records System. All communication regarding your application will be conducted via email; please ensure to check your junk/spam folders as emails may occasionally be filtered there.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our established team in Microbiology. This role offers the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on work experience and develop technical skills in a dynamic environment., + A mature and flexible approach to work.
+ The ability to thrive in a busy team environment.
+ Confidence to work independently and use your initiative after completing training.
+ Commitment to achieving a Healthcare Science Level 2 Apprenticeship, fully supported by us over an 18-month period.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital.
Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.
We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.
The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.
If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.