Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant / Biomedical Support Worker

NHS

  • Dorchester, Dorset
  • £24,937-26,598 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 6 days ago
The Histopathology Department at Dorset Country Hospital is looking to recruit a well-motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our friendly team as a Senior Biomedical Support Worker. The post is permanent, full time on pay band 3, reporting to the Biomedical Scientists and Histopathology Laboratory Manager.Dorset County Hospital Foundation NHS Trust is the leading provider of healthcare in West Dorset, and the Histopathology department is fully UKAS accredited to ISO15189 (2022) and is well-equipped to provide a full diagnostic service to the acute hospital, as well as the community services in the West Dorset area.The department has recently implemented a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in collaboration with partner laboratories across Dorset (One Dorset Pathology), along with a lab-wide replacement of equipment through a new managed equipment service contract for the Southern Counties Pathology (South 6) network.You would be joining a friendly, welcoming team of approximately 25 staff who are committed to the provision of a high-quality service, working closely with Medical Secretaries, Consultant Histopathologist's, Biomedical Support Workers, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists whilst communicating regularly with other service users in the hospital.Main duties of the jobApplications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are committed to the provision of a high-quality service, with a background working in a diagnostic laboratory and ideally have knowledge of Histopathology processes. The successful candidate will be keen to learn and develop their skills in a scientific environment.About usAt DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 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. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.DetailsDate posted28 August 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 3Salary£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per AnnumContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number405-25-HS403HISTJob locationsDorset County HospitalWilliams AvenueDorchesterDT1 2JYJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification document for a full account of the job description / main responsibilities.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 assist in the deliverance of a quality diagnostic service.Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification document for a full account of the job description / main responsibilities.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 assist in the deliverance of a quality diagnostic service.Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.Person SpecificationEducation, Qualifications & TrainingEssential
  • Education to GCSE's or A Levels, including science subject. HNC or NVQ in a science subject will also be considered
  • Evidence of recent employment in a pathology lab - preferably histopathology
  • Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure sound relevant knowledge and understanding of Histology techniques
ExperienceEssential
  • Recent experience of working as a support worker in an NHS diagnostic laboratory
  • Able to perform technically challenging and manually dextrous procedures such as embedding / microtomy.
  • Evidence of effective communication with all levels of staff
  • Experience in following and adhering to SOP and local policies
  • Evidence of the ability to work to specific deadlines
  • Application of COSHH and Risk Assessments required in the laboratory environment
Skill, Abilities & KnowledgeEssential
  • Knowledge and understanding of routine histopathology laboratory processes
  • Ability to accurately and legibly transcribe information
  • Evidence of the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with service users and other members of staff and professionals relevant to Laboratory services
  • Evidence of ability to plan and prioritise own work.
  • Evidence of the ability to supervise and train staff to maintain high standards
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to enter data accurately into IT systems
Desirable
  • Evidence of being able to work under pressure in a calm and methodical manner
  • Ability to know ones limitations and when to seek advice from colleagues or service support, to minimise analytical downtime or to resolve technical problems
Person SpecificationEducation, Qualifications & TrainingEssential
  • Education to GCSE's or A Levels, including science subject. HNC or NVQ in a science subject will also be considered
  • Evidence of recent employment in a pathology lab - preferably histopathology
  • Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure sound relevant knowledge and understanding of Histology techniques
ExperienceEssential
  • Recent experience of working as a support worker in an NHS diagnostic laboratory
  • Able to perform technically challenging and manually dextrous procedures such as embedding / microtomy.
  • Evidence of effective communication with all levels of staff
  • Experience in following and adhering to SOP and local policies
  • Evidence of the ability to work to specific deadlines
  • Application of COSHH and Risk Assessments required in the laboratory environment
Skill, Abilities & KnowledgeEssential
  • Knowledge and understanding of routine histopathology laboratory processes
  • Ability to accurately and legibly transcribe information
  • Evidence of the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with service users and other members of staff and professionals relevant to Laboratory services
  • Evidence of ability to plan and prioritise own work.
  • Evidence of the ability to supervise and train staff to maintain high standards
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to enter data accurately into IT systems
Desirable
  • Evidence of being able to work under pressure in a calm and methodical manner
  • Ability to know ones limitations and when to seek advice from colleagues or service support, to minimise analytical downtime or to resolve technical problems

NHS