Stores Assistant

Job summary

We are seeking a Stores Assistant based at Heartlands Hospital as part of the Public Health Microbiology, UKHSA Birmingham team.

The Stores Assistant will be responsible for the ordering, receiving and issuing of consumables and for the safe custody of the laboratory stores together with assisting in maintaining Laboratory Services.

It is essential that the Stores Assistant has data entry and computer skills, and strong accuracy and attention to detail.

The Stores Assistant role can be physically demanding and requires you to be on your feet for most of the day.

Experience with manual handling is essentialas you will be required to deliver consumables and media to laboratory areas, including the manual handling of gas cylinders.

Main duties of the job

• To organise the day-to-day stock requirements for the laboratory.
• To ensure stock requests are verified and are accurate before issue.
• To ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the sections whilst minimising cost and wastage.
• To prepare, implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for Stores and to ensure that these are followed.
• To support continued maintenance UKAS Accreditation Standards.
• To comply with UKHSA and Laboratory Safety Policies in the department.

Further duties can be found under Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

• Date posted: 23 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £25,651 to £27,220 a year Per annum, pro-rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
• Reference number: 919-SH-300665-EXT
• Job locations: Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5ST, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Under the local supervision of a registered Biomedical Scientist, Business Support Administrator, or Service Manager:

• Support the initiation of incidents for replacement stores items as required.
• Receive and document all incoming supplies as required (duties which involve moderate lifting).
• Support the maintenance of the laboratory stock control system.
• Ensure Stores is well maintained and stock levels checked.
• Ensure good communication within the team and Managers.
• Distribute supplies throughout the laboratory(duties which involve moderate lifting).
• Clerical duties, including the use of computers, data entry and telephone enquiries
• Deal with deliveries.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels, receipt of deliveries and preparation of orders.
• Porter duties and exchange of gas cylinders(duties which involves moderate lifting).
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining UKAS.
• Monitor and routine maintenance of equipment.
• Occasionally work under remote supervision following defined SOP/protocols and will be expected to refer non routine issues to their supervisor.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

Essential Criteria

• GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or equivalent qualifications or equivalent experience of working in a laboratory
• Good written & spoken English
• Experience working with manual handling tasks
• Basic knowledge of Health & safety
• Previous experience working in an administrative environment
• Previous experience of using computerised data systems

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
• Previous experience of working in a health care environment
• Knowledge of laboratory consumables

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Stage 1: Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 6 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert. You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/Activity history section on the application)
• 750 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the 6 Essential Criteria listed in this advert.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and Supporting Statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please note you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500,but your Supporting Statement must be no more than 750 words.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all Essential Criteria
• Meets some Essential Criteria
• Meets no Essential Criteria

Only those that'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Experience working with manual handling tasks

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5ST.

Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

Behaviours, Strengths and Experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours being tested at interview stage will be:

Working Together - Lead Behaviour Seeing the Big Picture Communication and Influencing Delivering at Pace

Experience will be assessed from questions based on manual handling during the interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

Civil Service: Administrative Officer (AO)

National: £25,651 - £27,220 per annum, pro-rata

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5ST.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.