Health Care Support Worker - West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre B3

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

The Diagnostic Clinical Microbiology Service for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is delivered from two sites: Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH). The laboratories provide a full and comprehensive Microbiology service to the population of Greater Glasgow & Clyde, hospital based users e.g. medical, nursing, estates, pharmacy and other department staff e.g. , users in Primary Care and General Practice. The post is based at the Microbiology Laboratory at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, a state-of-the-art facility with extensive Microbiology equipment, including Vitek 2, Vitek MS, Virtuo, WASPLab, and MGiT TB Analysers. The laboratory processes around 400,000 specimens per annum and, in addition to routine microbiology, also provides mycology and Environmental (Air & Water) testing services.

The clinical laboratory holds UKAS accreditation for ISO 15189 standards as a single managed unit together with the Microbiology laboratory at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The Environmental Laboratory holds UKAS accreditation to the ISO 17025 standard. The laboratory holds UKAS accreditation for ISO 15189 standards as a single managed unit together with the Microbiology laboratory at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

As a Clinical Support Worker (Higher Level) within the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, you will play a vital role in supporting diagnostic services that directly contribute to patient care across Glasgow and beyond. Working within a highly skilled laboratory team, you will assist with the processing and preparation of clinical specimens, ensuring the delivery of accurate and timely results. This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist laboratory experience while making a meaningful difference to patients and communities throughout the region.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis following interview and during the pre-employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Please See Below For More Details

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Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Glasgow Royal Infirmary, New Lister Building
• 36 hours over 7 days including evenings, weekends, and public holiday work as part of the laboratory out-of-hours system (contractual requirement)
• Permanent, full-time
  
  

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, sort, register and prepare clinical specimens for laboratory testing
• Support Biomedical Scientists with laboratory procedures, sample processing and diagnostic activities
• Accurately enter patient and specimen information onto laboratory information systems
• Process, store, retrieve and safely dispose of clinical specimens in line with departmental procedures
• Respond professionally to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries from colleagues and service users
• Monitor stock levels, prepare laboratory reagents and assist with equipment maintenance and quality control activities
• Contribute to a safe, efficient and high-quality laboratory service while adhering to all health, safety and infection control requirements
  
  

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• 3 Highers at Grade C or above including Chemistry or Biology and Maths, or SVQ Level 3 in a relevant science subject, or an equivalent accredited qualification
• Experience working effectively as part of a team in a professional environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive working relationships
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities accurately and efficiently
• Good keyboard and IT skills with attention to detail when handling sensitive information
• Awareness of health and safety, infection prevention and quality standards within the workplace
• Ability to follow written procedures, work with precision and demonstrate good manual dexterity
  
  

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
  
  

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact

Operational Manager, Gareth Wilson, gareth.wilson@nhs.scot, 0141 956 0428

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process:

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

This post may require a satisfactory PVG Scheme record check.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
  
  

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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