# Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Automated Chemistry > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/assistant-technical-officer-ato-automated-chemistry/453722a7-04fb-453a-b63e-0b8a92bffd14 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/assistant-technical-officer-ato-automated-chemistry/453722a7-04fb-453a-b63e-0b8a92bffd14.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust - **Town:** Plymouth - **Region:** South West - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Administrative and IT - **Grade:** Band 2 - **Salary:** £25,272 Per Annum - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week (9-1730 and to participate in rotational late shifts 1-9pm, possibility of weekend shifts) - **Closing date:** 2026-06-24T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-06-10T11:10:45.017Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Devon/Plymouth/University_Hospitals_Plymouth_NHS_Trust/Assistant_Technical_Officer_ATO_Automated_Chemistry/Assistant_Technical_Officer_ATO_Automated_Chemistry-v8042213 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8042213?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview 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 services. 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. Going forward as UHP Pathology department works to deliver its vision then there will be an expectation of interdepartmental working across various Pathology departments. ***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.*** ### Main duties of the job - To assist with the operation of the Automated Track and HbA1c analysers in the Biochemistry section. Including maintenance, troubleshooting and patient sample analysis. - To partake in Automated Chemistry stock checks and reagent management. - To replenish consumables in the Automated Chemistry Section - To follow Standard Operating Procedures relating to each section/area. - To be available for the 24/7 rota and EWD/Weekend rota in Reception/Automation. - To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedures. - To assist Reception as and when required with the receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry and to make and receive telephone calls from other healthcare staff. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities - Receive, check, and process samples ensuring correct patient identification, appropriate sample type, and volume. - Prepare samples for analysis (e.g. centrifugation, aliquoting, barcoding). - Identify and escalate non-compliant samples in line with SOPs. - Record and communicate rejected samples appropriately. - Prioritise urgent and routine samples effectively. - Ensure samples are stored appropriately and safely. - Load/unload samples and manage workflow on analysers. - Operate analysers and assist in performing diagnostic tests. - Maintain analyser performance and workflow efficiency. - Perform basic maintenance and equipment checks. For further information please see attached job description ## Job Details 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 services. 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. Going forward as UHP Pathology department works to deliver its vision then there will be an expectation of interdepartmental working across various Pathology departments. ***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.*** ## Job Description To assist with the operation of the Automated Track and HbA1c analysers in the Biochemistry section. Including maintenance, troubleshooting and patient sample analysis. To partake in Automated Chemistry stock checks and reagent management. To replenish consumables in the Automated Chemistry Section To follow Standard Operating Procedures relating to each section/area. To be available for the 24/7 rota and EWD/Weekend rota in Reception/Automation. To prepare biological material collected from patients, including blood samples for analysis and analyse these following a Standard Operating Procedures. To assist Reception as and when required with the receipt of samples, sample preparation, request data entry and to make and receive telephone calls from other healthcare staff. ## Responsibilities Receive, check, and process samples ensuring correct patient identification, appropriate sample type, and volume. Prepare samples for analysis (e.g. centrifugation, aliquoting, barcoding). Identify and escalate non-compliant samples in line with SOPs. Record and communicate rejected samples appropriately. Prioritise urgent and routine samples effectively. Ensure samples are stored appropriately and safely. Load/unload samples and manage workflow on analysers. Operate analysers and assist in performing diagnostic tests. Maintain analyser performance and workflow efficiency. Perform basic maintenance and equipment checks. For further information please see attached job description ## Person Specification ### Qualifications **Essential** - - GCSE’s grades A-C/4-9 or above in Science, Maths & English or equivalent level of qualification/ equivalent demonstrable experience in a laboratory or regulatory environment **Desirable** - - Science Healthcare qualification. - Science qualification (A-Level or equivalent ### Apitude and Abilities **Essential** - Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff at all levels of the organisation and patients with tact and diplomacy - Proven ability to effectively organise and prioritise own work ### Knowledge & Experience **Essential** - - Understanding of SOP-driven environments. - - Awareness of sample handling principles. **Desirable** - NHS Pathology demonstrable experience - Demonstrable experience working in a healthcare or laboratory environment. the Section ## Documents - [assistant technical officer (docx, 448.7kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10363145) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.