Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level (XR03)

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

The Central Specimen Reception at LTHT is looking to recruit B3 support workers to join our busy teams supporting both Leeds General Infirmary and St James.

As a true central reception, we support Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Immunology and Specialist Lab Medicine.

The service is 24/7 for our inpatient samples and a peak of activity for the community samples between 4pm 9pm.

The postholder will be part of a team who manage the initial receipt of the majority of pathology samples. You will be the first point of contact for a patients pathology diagnosis.

Attention to detail, ability to prioritise and work as a vital member of a team are all essential to us.

Please note: UK Government immigration and sponsorship criteria have changed. This post is not eligible for sponsorship. Please check your eligibility before applying.

This advert may close early if suitable applications are received.

Expected Shortlisting Date

17/11/2025

Planned Interview Date

27/11/2025

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a member of a large team responsible for the initial processing of patient samples. You will be required to communicate effectively with colleagues in CSR, wider pathology and other health care professionals.

Operating the laboratory IT system (Winpath), to enter and retrieve patient demographics.

Responding to telephone queries and occasionally meeting members of the public as they hand deliver samples.

Preparation of chemical reagents.

Processing of samples as per standard operating procedures.

Rejecting samples following defined rules.

To demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff

Disposal of clinical waste and general housekeeping.

Analyser maintenance.

Loading and unloading analysers, initial troubleshooting.

Sample preparation and packaging of samples for referral to other laboratories.

Stock control.

Shift supervisor.

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Pathology Department have recently moved into new purpose-built facilities. Both LGI and SJH will benefit from the latest automation tech to support our local population of around 2.3 million and the services we supply nationally.

We work 24/7, 365 days a year. Our staffing is managed with a roster produced in advance with combinations of shifts. 7:30 16:00, 8:30 17:00. 12:30 21:00 and 20:30 -08:00. These are distributed evenly adhering to Working Time Directive Laws.

As reception is purely BSW staffed, there is not a provision for any portfolio training or direct links into disciplines for those wishing to begin their IBMS portfolios.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Details

Date posted

05 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-PATH-485

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Job description

Job responsibilities

To collect, deliver, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimens for biological testing

To undertake routine clinical technical investigations, this may involve operating equipment following standard operating procedures. Some of this work may be under supervision.

To enter and retrieve patient demographic details using the laboratory information system

As the job holder you will be required to work as a member of the departmental team, communicating effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff.

As the job holder you will be required to supervise junior colleagues and other healthcare staff.

As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine tasks in support of biomedical, scientific and medical staff. You will be required to have problem solving skills that will allow you to make judgements and decisions about job related situations including identifying primary actions and appropriate escalation and reporting.

Complex tasks including the use of analysers and maintenance using standard operating procedures. Troubleshooting with escalation to Biomedical Scientists as required.

Preparation of chemical reagents.

Processing of samples as per standard operating procedures.

Rejecting samples following defined rules.

Disposal of clinical waste and general housekeeping.

You will be required to communicate information, some of which may be related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To collect, deliver, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimens for biological testing

To undertake routine clinical technical investigations, this may involve operating equipment following standard operating procedures. Some of this work may be under supervision.

To enter and retrieve patient demographic details using the laboratory information system

As the job holder you will be required to work as a member of the departmental team, communicating effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff.

As the job holder you will be required to supervise junior colleagues and other healthcare staff.

As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine tasks in support of biomedical, scientific and medical staff. You will be required to have problem solving skills that will allow you to make judgements and decisions about job related situations including identifying primary actions and appropriate escalation and reporting.

Complex tasks including the use of analysers and maintenance using standard operating procedures. Troubleshooting with escalation to Biomedical Scientists as required.

Preparation of chemical reagents.

Processing of samples as per standard operating procedures.

Rejecting samples following defined rules.

Disposal of clinical waste and general housekeeping.

You will be required to communicate information, some of which may be related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.

Person Specification

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
  • Able to work at LGI and SJH as rotad in advance.
  • Can work shifts over 24/7 365 days per year.
  • Able to work as part of a large team.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Able to work autonomously and use own initiative.
  • Able to prioritise and organise workload with the team.
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Good Communicator

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualifications - Essential CriteriaMaths GCSE Standard or equivalent
  • English GCSE Standard or equivalent
  • Level 3 qualification (E.g. NVQ) in a laboratory or science-related subject

Desirable

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement part I

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of conventional IT software and IT literacy e.g. Microsoft Office
  • Experience of using automation in a laboratory.
  • Experience of using laboratory information systems.
  • Previous experience of working in a laboratory.

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a multi speciality specimen reception
Person Specification

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
  • Able to work at LGI and SJH as rotad in advance.
  • Can work shifts over 24/7 365 days per year.
  • Able to work as part of a large team.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Able to work autonomously and use own initiative.
  • Able to prioritise and organise workload with the team.
  • Flexible approach to work
  • Good Communicator

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualifications - Essential CriteriaMaths GCSE Standard or equivalent
  • English GCSE Standard or equivalent
  • Level 3 qualification (E.g. NVQ) in a laboratory or science-related subject

Desirable

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement part I

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of conventional IT software and IT literacy e.g. Microsoft Office
  • Experience of using automation in a laboratory.
  • Experience of using laboratory information systems.
  • Previous experience of working in a laboratory.

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in a multi speciality specimen reception

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Specimen Reception Manager

Melissa Butterfield

melissa.butterfield@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

05 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,465 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-PATH-485

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Supporting documents

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