Job summary
A vacancy has arisen in the Microbiology Department for a Senior Lab Assistant.

Supporting the Biomedical Scientists in providing a diagnostic Microbiology Service. Duties include processing of samples, data entry, waste disposal/ autoclave use, unpacking/processing of reagent deliveries, use of automated sampling equipment Manual handling is an essential requirement of the role. Previous laboratory experience is required and further training will be given.

Main duties of the job
You will require NVQ level 2 in clinical care or equivalent and be prepared to make a significant contribution to the Microbiology service.

Good computer keyboard skills are essential. Core hours are Monday to Friday between 09.00-17.30, but flexibility is required with regular working across different shifts currently between 08.00 and 20.00 including weekend and bank holiday working.

You will support the work of the Biomedical Scientists in providing a diagnostic Microbiology Service, including processing of samples, preparation of reagents, data entry, waste disposal, reagent management and delivery and general equipment and laboratory maintenance. Manual handling is an essential part of this role.

About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 264-8334597-CSS
Closing date: 22 October 2026

Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: NVQ level 2 in clinical care or equivalent
• Desirable: Typing/word processing qualifications - Equivalent to RSA 2/3

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential: Significant previous laboratory experience
• Desirable: Healthcare work experience
• Desirable: Computer data entry experience
• Desirable: Knowledge of medical and/or laboratory terminology

Skills

• Essential: Manual dexterity to manipulate specimens for processing
• Essential: Able to type specimen information accurately and quickly from a printed or hand-written request form
• Essential: Ability to concentrate to process large blocks of repetitive work
• Essential: Ability to understand and accurately pass on telephone messages
• Essential: Able to operate automated analysers and use initiative to solve problems
• Essential: Able to safely handle hazardous biological and chemical materials routinely, after training
• Essential: Can read computer screen accurately and deal with enquiries
• Essential: Ability to integrate into a team of staff
• Essential: Evidence of good general health/good sickness record
• Essential: Requirement for light physical effort
• Essential: Able to deal with unpredictable work pattern and frequent concentration interruptions
• Desirable: Understanding of confidential nature of patient data
• Desirable: Understanding of H&S requirements in a laboratory
• Desirable: Understanding of Quality Assurance in the laboratory
• Desirable: Flexibility to change hrs at short notice

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Essential: Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details
Employer name: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Kettering, NN16 8UZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Microbiology Manager, Anita Kenyon, anita.kenyon@nhs.net, 01536492678

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