Job Summary
Applications are invited from suitably demonstrable experienced candidates to join our busy team within the Department of Histology based at Derriford Hospital Plymouth. The laboratory is well equipped and handles over 40,000 requests per annum. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, highly adaptable person who is a good team player and communicator and has the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and service users. Derriford is a Cancer Care Centre and the largest teaching hospital within the southwest peninsula and offers excellent onsite facilities including a modern library, teaching, meeting and video‑conferencing facilities. It has strong links with Plymouth University and the Peninsula school of Medicine and Dentistry. The Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology is a provider of Histological and cytological services in the Southwest, serving a population of approximately 450,000. 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
The post holder will work together with the senior staff in Cellular and Anatomical Pathology to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost-effective service. The post holder will assist in the timely processing of tissue and other biological specimens submitted for examination, typically 40,000 per annum.
Job Responsibilities
* Assist the Biomedical Scientists (BMS) in the preparation and processing of tissue specimens submitted for histological and non‑gynaecological cytology examination.
* Manipulate small pieces of tissue and embed them into wax using your knowledge and skill acquired during training, to ensure they are orientated correctly.
* Prioritise and separate urgent and other clinically indicated samples for immediate action.
* Undertake specimen preparation and cut‑up duties.
* Prepare slides and samples in both Histology and Non‑Gynaecological Cytology for microscopic examination. Undertake routine staining procedures.
* Use a microtome, cut sections using the high level skills acquired during training to produce sections that are artefact free and of the necessary quality. Cut levels from blocks of small biopsy material.
* Assist in the maintenance and running of any laboratory equipment as directed, including maintaining cleanliness to the necessary standard, discarding waste chemical solutions, replenishment of fresh solutions, and use of the instruments.
* Become familiar with any laboratory instrumentation used in day‑to‑day activity and resolve first‑line problems.
* Participate in the entry of data into the laboratory computer system during the various stages of tissue processing.
Person Specification
* Knowledge & Experience
o Demonstrable experience and competency of a wide range of histological procedures.
o Familiar with medical terminology utilised during specimen dissection.
* Desirable
o ECDL or equivalent.
* Essential Qualifications
o NVQ level 3, Level 4 Healthcare Apprenticeship or equivalent science‑based qualification or proven knowledge of a wide range of histological procedures/equivalent demonstrable experience.
* Desirable Qualifications
o Biological science degree.
* Aptitude & Attitude
o Good communication skills, staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy.
o Effectively organise and prioritise own work.
* Desirable Aptitude & Attitude
o Good interpersonal skills.
Job Details
* Date posted: 15 January 2026
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 4
* Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 per annum
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time
* Reference number: 216-AM-DB7707775
* Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Cellular Pathology, Level 4, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
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