Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
02/02/2026
Planned Interview
Date
16/02/2026
Join
Our Team as a Higher Biomedical Support Worker
We
are looking for a dedicated and motivated individual to join our Cellular
Pathology Department in a full-time, permanent role.
Our
department is at the forefront of innovation, utilizing advanced technologies
such as Xpress processing, digital scanning, and being the first in the UK to
introduce fully automated sectioning.
In
this role, you will carry out routine and complex clinical technical
investigations in a fast-paced environment, often working to tight deadlines.
Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, flexibility, and excellent
communication are essential. Previous laboratory experience is required, and
you will receive comprehensive in-house training to ensure competence within
the laboratory.
We
are proud to be an IBMS-accredited training lab, committed to high-quality
standards and continuous improvement. The department is supported by a
Transformation Lead and a Pathology Technology & Innovation Lead, driving
service development and innovation.
Our
operating hours are Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, with standard and
extended day shifts available.
If
you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge pathology services and
thrive in a collaborative team environment, wed love to hear from you.
Expected
Interview dates: 16th-17th February 2026
Main duties of the job
You
will work as part of the Cellular Pathology team, handling and processing
clinical diagnostic specimens. Duties include routine and complex
investigations under supervision, such as biopsy transfer, tissue embedding,
microtomy, and cytology preparation. The role involves working with chemicals
and human tissue/fluids. You will develop the skills needed to deliver an
accurate, timely service for patients and apply professional judgment in
technically challenging situations. Responsibilities may include organizing
tasks for support staff, training new team members, and assisting with
departmental management, including ordering and stock control.
About us
The
department provides Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle,
Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular, and Mortuary services for LTHT and
surrounding primary care centres.
We
are a large department processing circa 60,000 surgical cases, 3000 andrology
cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per
annum.
The
department is staffed with a range of professions including Biomedical &
MortuarySupport Workers, Associate Healthcare Science Practitioners,
Anatomical Pathology Technicians, Biomedical Scientists, Advanced
Practitioner Biomedical Scientists, admin and secretarial staff, pathologists
and a management team.
As
a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff.
There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further development
is encouraged. We endeavour to follow
'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Primarily
based at St James University Hospital, there may be a requirement to rotate
to other sites and sections. Participation on a Saturday rota may also be
required.
CORE
BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
In
order to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able to
demonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:
To gain new knowledge through
experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
To become an integral member of a
team providing a clinical technical service
To work independently when and as
directed by supervisors
To communicate clearly and
effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
To plan the designated workload and
assist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers
To work with precision and follow
accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
To operate highly complex
laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
To input and extract patient data
from the laboratory computer system
To demonstrate relevant tasks to
others as appropriate
To contribute actively towards the
improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with
other team members
To remain competent in established
procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
To participate actively in the
departmental appraisal scheme
To take account of changes in
service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As
the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
Carry out a range of basic and more
complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and
effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the
need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
Participate actively in
departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of
knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels
of quality have not been met.
Participate in the maintenance of a
safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards
associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable
actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards
include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and
uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information
that is related to patient care.
Observe the requirements of
departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample
labelling and adverse event reporting.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To perform, sometimes under
supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are
consistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.
To develop your competences in the
department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
To participate in departmental
research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate
clinical trials involving the laboratory
To enter, manage and retrieve
patient information using the laboratory computer system.
To communicate accurately sensitive
and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in
accordance with departmental procedures
To demonstrate relevant job related
tasks to new or more junior staff
To actively participate in the
laboratory quality assurance programme
To contribute to general
departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt
and control of consumables
This
list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to
time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These
will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their
implementation.
The
Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on
several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to
work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the
Laboratory Manager.
In
addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies
and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager
during your period of induction and further information is available from the
Trusts intranet site.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Primarily
based at St James University Hospital, there may be a requirement to rotate
to other sites and sections. Participation on a Saturday rota may also be
required.
CORE
BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
In
order to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able to
demonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:
To gain new knowledge through
experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
To become an integral member of a
team providing a clinical technical service
To work independently when and as
directed by supervisors
To communicate clearly and
effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
To plan the designated workload and
assist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers
To work with precision and follow
accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
To operate highly complex
laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
To input and extract patient data
from the laboratory computer system
To demonstrate relevant tasks to
others as appropriate
To contribute actively towards the
improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with
other team members
To remain competent in established
procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
To participate actively in the
departmental appraisal scheme
To take account of changes in
service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As
the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
Carry out a range of basic and more
complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and
effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the
need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
Participate actively in
departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of
knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels
of quality have not been met.
Participate in the maintenance of a
safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards
associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable
actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards
include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and
uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information
that is related to patient care.
Observe the requirements of
departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample
labelling and adverse event reporting.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To perform, sometimes under
supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are
consistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.
To develop your competences in the
department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with
departmental standard operating procedures.
To participate in departmental
research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate
clinical trials involving the laboratory
To enter, manage and retrieve
patient information using the laboratory computer system.
To communicate accurately sensitive
and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in
accordance with departmental procedures
To demonstrate relevant job related
tasks to new or more junior staff
To actively participate in the
laboratory quality assurance programme
To contribute to general
departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt
and control of consumables
This
list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to
time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These
will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their
implementation.
The
Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on
several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to
work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the
Laboratory Manager.
In
addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies
and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager
during your period of induction and further information is available from the
Trusts intranet site.
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Evidence of the ability to work in a team and independently
- Evidence of a flexible approach to work
- Good communicator and friendly attitude
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Dexterity
- Physically able to move around and between sites
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of previous experience of working in a laboratory
- Evidence of knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Evidence of competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures
Qualifications
Essential
- A level /NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Evidence of the ability to work in a team and independently
- Evidence of a flexible approach to work
- Good communicator and friendly attitude
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Dexterity
- Physically able to move around and between sites
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of previous experience of working in a laboratory
- Evidence of knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Evidence of competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures
Qualifications
Essential
- A level /NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)
Desirable
- A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects
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.
