Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant / Biomedical Support Worker

The closing date is 07 January 2026

Job summary

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 job

Applications 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.

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.

About us

At 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 work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving 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.

Right to Work in the UK:This role is not availablefor Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.

Date posted

19 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-HS587BSW

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 description

Job responsibilities

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

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

Experience

Essential

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 & Knowledge

Essential

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 Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

Essential

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

Experience

Essential

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 & Knowledge

Essential

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

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)