Assistant Technical Officer

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in all sections of the laboratory to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective service.

The post holder will support the timely processing of patient samples serving all those patients attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula.

We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.

We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on  We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.

Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

• The receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry, presentation for analysis and dispatch to tertiary centres as appropriate.
• To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GPs, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff.
• To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedure.

• The receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry, presentation for analysis and dispatch to tertiary centres as appropriate.
• To make and receive routine telephone calls to/from GPs, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff.
• To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedure.

• Working with colleagues ensure the reception area delivers a timely processing of samples and test requests.
• Following Standard Operating Procedures ensure that all send-away samples are packaged and despatched in compliance with special postal regulations.
• Ensure senior staff, are made aware when stock levels are low.
• Competent in the use of office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers.
• To use the laboratory IT system to input results of tests and to deal with enquiries for results, and to use the Trust PIMS system in order to look up patient details.
• To operate complex laboratory analysers in order to carry out investigations
• Will assist senior staff in the training of new staff.
• Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples derived from clinical trials including those for which the department derives income.
• Remove samples and request forms from their plastic bags whilst checking the data on the sample matches that on the request form.
• To bring to the attention of senior staff all rejected samples due to inadequate patient  incorrect sample type for the test requested, or to contact the necessary persons, in accordance with the SOP for the area, to resolve any non-compliance with policy.

For further details please see attached JD and PS