Go back Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Healthcare Scientist Support Worker - Band 3 Histology
The closing date is 08 December 2025
We are looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our team. You will be working with us to provide a service to cancer patients to ensure that they receive their results in a timely manner. You will be handling tissue samples and preparing chemicals and reagents.
Will include Saturday working.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be involved in a range of tasks including receiving specimens and booking them into the laboratory information system.
You will be carrying out tissue and slide preparation techniques and supporting the scientists and medical staff in all areas of the laboratory.
You will need to be able to understand and convey detailed information in a professional helpful manner. You will be working within a team and have an ability to prioritise workload and work well under pressure.
About us
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a staff of around 9000 and is dedicated to providing the Best Care for Everyone.
The Histology Department is based within the Pathology Department at Cheltenham General Hospital and is one of the biggest within the South West.
We have a team of medical staff, scientists and support staff working in a busy environment and are focused on providing a high quality efficient service.
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will, amongst other duties, be required to:
Check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances.
Recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times.
To ensure that tissue taken is secured and safe for processing many samples are unrepeatable.
To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto laboratory computer system in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request.
To carry out embedding of paraffin wax processed tissue blocks under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
To carry out paraffin block tissue sectioning using a microtome under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
To perform regular maintenance of equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records.
To act as the first point of contact for the Histology Department dealing with diverse and complex telephone enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given. (This may range from requests for histology tests, requests for results, to being the first point of contact for complaints).
Person Specification
Qualifications / Experience
* GCSEs in English and Science, A level Science or equivalent
* Previous Laboratory experience
* Good team worker
* Able to maintain levels of concentration for prolonged periods
* Ability to prioritise workload and cope under pressure
* Previous experience of training staff
* Use Microsoft Office and other software packages
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year(pa pro rata if part-time)
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