Senior Pathology Support Worker, HPV Screening Laboratory
The closing date is 08 May 2026
Work in the HPV testing laboratory at St. Peter's Hospital. Responsibilities include operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, maintaining accurate records, training new staff, and ensuring compliance with laboratory guidelines, COSHH, and the BSPS Health & Safety Policy.
Responsibilities
* liaise with the HPV SR team regarding errors in patient and specimen identification
* collect, unpack, check and store bulk deliveries of laboratory consumables
* complete laboratory records accurately and in a timely manner
* safely process samples with low potential risk of infection using Hologic Tomcat, Panther and T5000 machines
* handle potentially hazardous laboratory chemicals appropriately and safely in accordance with laboratory procedures, COSHH and the BSPS Health & Safety Policy
* perform a variety of manual laboratory procedures under indirect supervision from Registered Biomedical Scientist staff
* participate in the analysis of gynaecological specimens using sophisticated automated High‑risk HPV testing equipment as part of the national delivery of HPV primary screening by the NHS Cervical Screening Programme
* prepare and stain gynaecological specimens for microscopic examination, including blood removal using Espostis solution
* follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), suggest improvements and pilot revisions
* maintain and clean specimen preparation laboratories, including the correct use of disinfectants and detergents according to COSHH regulations and laboratory protocols
* assist in routine laboratory tasks such as slide filing and archived material retrieval
* answer telephone enquiries in accordance with laboratory protocol to provide an effective, user‑friendly service
* perform any other work appropriate to this post as required by BMS staff
* assist in the supervision of work‑experience students, volunteers and Medical Laboratory Assistants in accordance with departmental protocols
Person Specification
* Good education to NVQ level 3, alternatively A level standard preferably including a science subject
* Experience working in an HPV screening laboratory
* Knowledge and experience of relevant laboratory procedures
* Good team worker
* Competent using BSPS LIMS (e.g. Winpath Enterprise)
* Experience and knowledge of working in a Cytology department or equivalent pathology service
* Experience and knowledge required to assist in the training and supervision of less experienced staff
* Experience of HPV primary screening laboratory processes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Peter's Hospital, Cytology Department
£27,106 to £28,850 a year (incl. HCAS)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full‑time
Reference number
323-ACS5448-ED
Job locations
St Peter's Hospital, Cytology Department
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