Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Pathology Support Worker - Cervical screening

The closing date is 26 March 2026

Job summary

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust are one of eight centres in England providing Primary HPV Cervical Screening covering the whole of the North East and Yorkshire area. An opportunity has arisen for a number of Biomedical Support Worker positions to support the NEY Cervical Screening Department. The successful candidates will have good interpersonal and organisational skills and work well under pressure in a team environment in order to assist in achieving Trust and Departmental objectives. The posts will be based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.

The job will include sample preparation, and inputting data into the laboratory computer system. Although experience is desirable it is not essential, as appropriate training will be given.

The post holder will follow an in-service certificated competency training programme and under the supervision of qualified staff will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other pathological processes.

Main duties of the job

The post will be on Gateshead Health NHS Trust terms and conditions of employment. Full participation in the relevant Department's extended working day and the out of hours service is a mandatory requirement of all posts.

After suitable training and competence assessment the post holder will use practical skills to perform tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens; analysis preparing and using a range of processes using a range of complex laboratory equipment to conduct routine Departmental procedures/tests.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-7738607

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sherrif Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Job description

Job responsibilities

We aim to attract and retain a talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

See attached job description

Job description

Job responsibilities

We aim to attract and retain a talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

See attached job description

Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

  • 5 GCSE Grades A-C to include Mathematics and English or equivalent qualifications
  • Basic scientific knowledge to GSCE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory experience
  • GCSE/O levels in Biology and Chemistry NVQ2 in Clinical Laboratory Support IBMS Certificate of Achievement Level 1

Experience

Essential

  • Qualifications

Desirable

  • Previous Cytology experience
  • Previous/ laboratory experience.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy

Desirable

  • Computer keyboard skills

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic scientific knowledge to GSCE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • IT knowledge
  • Healthcare experience

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Composed disposition
  • Team-member
  • Support peoples equality, diversity and human rights.
  • Ability to adapt quickly and efficiently

Desirable

  • Demonstrated personal development

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility in working pattern, including late and night shifts in line with changing service requirements
  • Prepared to work with biological materials
  • Prepared to work within other Pathology disciplines if/when required
  • Non-colour impaired vision

Desirable

  • European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Person Specification

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

  • 5 GCSE Grades A-C to include Mathematics and English or equivalent qualifications
  • Basic scientific knowledge to GSCE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Previous laboratory experience
  • GCSE/O levels in Biology and Chemistry NVQ2 in Clinical Laboratory Support IBMS Certificate of Achievement Level 1

Experience

Essential

  • Qualifications

Desirable

  • Previous Cytology experience
  • Previous/ laboratory experience.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Hand eye co-ordination and accuracy

Desirable

  • Computer keyboard skills

Knowledge

Essential

  • Basic scientific knowledge to GSCE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • IT knowledge
  • Healthcare experience

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Composed disposition
  • Team-member
  • Support peoples equality, diversity and human rights.
  • Ability to adapt quickly and efficiently

Desirable

  • Demonstrated personal development

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Flexibility in working pattern, including late and night shifts in line with changing service requirements
  • Prepared to work with biological materials
  • Prepared to work within other Pathology disciplines if/when required
  • Non-colour impaired vision

Desirable

  • European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sherrif Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sherrif Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

NEY Cervical Screening Departmental Manager

Trudy Johnson

trudyjohnson1@nhs.net

01914456560

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-7738607

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sherrif Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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