Healthcare Science Support Worker (Higher) - Microbiology

We are looking for Healthcare Science Support Workers Higher Level with experience of working in an NHS pathology laboratory (or equivalent) to join our Microbiology Department at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford.
Successful applicants will be expected to participate in an ongoing quality programme to maintain compliance with the United Kingdom Accreditation Standards (UKAS) and with the UKAS accreditation.
The Department covers a 7 day working shift system to support future service delivery. The successful applicant will be expected to fully participate in the shift system in accordance with Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions.
Applicants should have NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience of laboratory practices and should be able to communicate well (see person specification for further details).
The Microbiology Department is committed to providing high quality services to support the patients and surrounding communities we serve, ensuring patient centered care as our focus. We emphasise staff engagement and working together to achieve high standards, investing in staff training and development.
The Microbiology department comprises Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular services, Mycology and Parasitology and uses a wide range of equipment, many of which you will have the opportunity to be trained on and use., Assisting in the provision of a high quality and efficient diagnostic service. Performing a range of routine tasks within Microbiology under supervision, for example accepting and unpacking deliveries; numbering and processing of clinical samples (such as blood , faeces, urines and swabs); entry of patient details and test requests onto the Laboratory Information System (LIS); operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and analysers, waste management, including operation of the laboratory autoclave; operating and maintaining centrifuges; supporting Biomedical Scientists, answering telephone enquiries and communicating results to senior staff.

We are looking for a hard working enthusiastic person to join our Pathology team working in the Microbiology department. This is a role where you will learn a broad range of skills processing specimens from patients.
You must be a careful, conscientious and a reliable worker. Following induction and training you will be able to work without close supervision in a busy environment, have a good telephone manner and be at ease using the computer system and laboratory instrumentation.
As a team-player and excellent communicator, you will need to demonstrate attention to detail whilst processing patients' specimens and entering data onto the computer systems. There are also a wide range of other tasks that form part of this varied and interesting job as well as supporting the Biomedical Scientists.
Hours of work include core shifts 8:00am to 4:30pm and late shifts 12:30pm to 9:00pm. These shifts are part of a rolling program that includes weekend working. When contracted hours are worked at weekends, rest days are allocated during the week.
The Microbiology team comprises a team of Senior Biomedical scientists that support the specialist Biomedical Scientists, trainee Biomedical Scientists and support staff. The Microbiology team as a whole is managed and supported by the Head of Microbiology. There is close collaboration with our Microbiology Consultants and Infection Control team.

Our staff are our most valuable asset. We are committed to making staff feel appreciated, supported and included in the Trust's successes. Our mission is to be an outstanding place to work providing the very best care for our patients and excellent career opportunities for our staff. Everything we do is guided by our core values and behaviours, identified by our staff and embedded throughout the organisation.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement
We have the highest CQC rating of all Acute NHS Trusts in Kent and Medway (Good). The CQC highlighted that managers promoted a positive culture that supported, valued staff and created a sense of common purpose based upon shared values.
The Trust is a great place to work, stay, develop a career and enjoy a healthy work life balance. We have made and are delivering on a wide range of commitments to staff; health and wellbeing; equality; diversity and inclusion; access to education and career development. During 2020 we sett up quality councils, driven by our staff to create a culture of shared governance and quality improvement.
We have a strong focus on innovation and improvement. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' (GSTT) 'Healthcare Alliance' we are introducing new models of care to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Our association with GSTT also gives staff wishing to develop their skills excellent opportunities to work across numerous specialities.
As our local population increases, our services and skills are expanding and adapting to meet demand. We are continuously looking at best practice models to enhance and improve the services we offer.
The Trust provides services at Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, for a local population of over 500,000 people.
If you would like to be part of our innovative and forward thinking team putting patients at the centre of all we do, we invite you to #joinourfamily.
The NHS are striving towards "we work flexibly" as a workforce, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and importantly for you. We offer many flexible working opportunities, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement for you and if it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated to aid efficient processing of applications. To ensure your application will be considered please submit it at your earliest convenience. If you have not heard from us within 21 days of the closing date please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
Please note, that due to the limited number of car parking spaces, car parking permits will be allocated subject to compliance with the Trusts eligibility criteria and availability of spaces. Permit holders are not guaranteed a car parking space.
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is a smoke free organisation. To improve public health smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the hospital site.