Overview
The Histopathology Department at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit a Senior Biomedical Support Worker. The post is permanent, full time on pay band 3, reporting to the Biomedical Scientists and Histopathology Laboratory Manager. The department is UKAS accredited to ISO15189 (2022) and provides a full diagnostic service to the acute hospital and community services in West Dorset. A new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has been implemented, along with a managed equipment service contract for the Southern Counties Pathology network. You would join a friendly team of approximately 25 staff and work with Medical Secretaries, Consultant Histopathologists, Biomedical Support Workers, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists while communicating with other service users in the hospital.
Main Duties / Responsibilities
Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated individuals with a background in a diagnostic laboratory and knowledge of Histopathology processes. The successful candidate will be keen to learn and develop their skills in a scientific environment. Once fully trained, the post holder would be expected to work in the laboratory environment, assisting with pathologist and biomedical scientist dissection, machine maintenance, stock control, simple tissue embedding and microtomy, along with other laboratory duties to deliver a quality diagnostic service.
About Us
At Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on patient care and a fair, inclusive environment for staff. Our mission is to provide outstanding care, with a vision to improve the well-being of our communities in collaboration with health and social care partners. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups. We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials, but all submissions must reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process.
Details
Date posted: 28 August 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change | Band 3 | Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 per year
Contract: Permanent | Working pattern: Full-time
Location: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY
Job Description & Person Specification
Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for a full account of duties and requirements. When applying, describe how your experience and skills fit the person specification. If you are unable to view or download the attachment, please contact us.
Essential Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Knowledge
* Education to GCSEs or A Levels, including science subjects; HNC or NVQ in a science subject will be considered
* Evidence of recent employment in a pathology lab—preferably histopathology
* Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure knowledge of Histology techniques
* Recent experience of working as a support worker in an NHS diagnostic laboratory
* Able to perform embedding and microtomy, and other technically challenging, manually dextrous procedures
* Effective communication with all levels of staff
* Experience following SOPs and local policies
* Ability to work to deadlines and apply COSHH and risk assessments in the laboratory
* Knowledge of routine histopathology laboratory processes
* Accurate, legible transcription of information
* Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with service users and staff
* Ability to plan and prioritise own work; to supervise and train staff to maintain high standards
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team; accurate data entry into IT systems
Desirable
* Ability to work under pressure in a calm and methodical manner
* Know when to seek advice to minimise downtime or resolve technical problems
Disclosures
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.
Employer Details
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY
Employer's website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/
Please note: This refined description uses only allowed formatting and removes duplicate content and boilerplate not essential to understanding the role.
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