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Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Scientist Support Worker - Band 3 Histology

The closing date is 08 December 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for a Medical Laboratory Assistant to join our team. You will be working with us to provide a service to cancer patients to ensure that they receive their results in a timely manner. You will be handling tissue samples and preparing chemicals and reagents

Will include Saturday working

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be involved in a range of tasks including receiving specimens and booking them into the laboratory information system.

You will be carrying out tissue and slide preparation techniques and supporting the scientists and medical staff in all areas of the laboratory

You will need to be able to understand and convey detailed information in a professional helpful manner. You will be working within a team and have an ability to prioritise workload and work well under pressure

About us

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a staff of around 9000 and is dedicated to providing the Best Care for Everyone.

The Histology Department is based within the Pathology Department at Cheltenham General Hospital and is one of the biggest within the South West.

We have a team of medical staff, scientists and support staff working in a busy environment and are focused on providing a high quality efficient service.

Details

Date posted

24 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year (pa pro rata if part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-T0727

Job locations

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will, amongst other duties, be required to:

Check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances

Recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times

To ensure that tissue taken is secured and safe for processing many samples are unrepeatable

To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto laboratory computer system in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request

To carry out embedding of paraffin wax processed tissue blocks under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist

To carry out paraffin block tissue sectioning using a microtome under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist

To perform regular maintenance of equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records

To act as the first point of contact for the Histology Department dealing with diverse and complex telephone enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given. (This may range from requests for histology tests, requests for results, to being the first point of contact for complaints

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will, amongst other duties, be required to:

Check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances

Recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times

To ensure that tissue taken is secured and safe for processing many samples are unrepeatable

To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto laboratory computer system in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request

To carry out embedding of paraffin wax processed tissue blocks under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist

To carry out paraffin block tissue sectioning using a microtome under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Biomedical Scientist

To perform regular maintenance of equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records

To act as the first point of contact for the Histology Department dealing with diverse and complex telephone enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given. (This may range from requests for histology tests, requests for results, to being the first point of contact for complaints

Person Specification

Qualifications / Experience

Essential

  • GCSEs in English and Science, A level Science or equivalent
  • Previous Laboratory experience
  • Good team worker
  • Able to maintain levels of concentration for prolonged periods
  • Ability to prioritise workload and cope under pressure

Desirable

  • Previous experience of training staff
  • Use Microsoft Office and other software packages
Person Specification

Qualifications / Experience

Essential

  • GCSEs in English and Science, A level Science or equivalent
  • Previous Laboratory experience
  • Good team worker
  • Able to maintain levels of concentration for prolonged periods
  • Ability to prioritise workload and cope under pressure

Desirable

  • Previous experience of training staff
  • Use Microsoft Office and other software packages

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead MLA

Derek Peacey

derek.peacy@nhs.net

03004224219

Details

Date posted

24 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year (pa pro rata if part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-T0727

Job locations

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN


Supporting documents

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