Job summary
- Main area
- Blood Sciences
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 297-7144832
- Employer
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital
- Town
- Gateshead
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Pathology Support Worker (Higher Grade)
NHS AfC: Band 3
In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Job overview
The South of Tyne Pathology Service is an established consolidated network with laboratories across three sites, servicing both Gateshead and South Tyneside/Sunderland trusts.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Blood Sciences Service for a Higher Level Pathology Support Worker position to work across the three hospital sites.
Main duties of the job
Our forward thinking and innovative department has state of the art equipment and technology and a fantastic training ethos to encourage development of staff to reach their full potential.
The clinical laboratory team provides a High Quality Specialist Diagnostic Service to improve the Health Care of the people of South of Tyne and Wear.
As part of the team the post holder will be expected to further develop knowledge and skills in a range of scientific procedures within Blood Sciences. The role involves being responsible for performing and supervising other pathology support workers in a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of pathological processes.
Successful candidates will have:
- An innovative, forward looking approach
- Excellent interpersonal / communication skills
- Enthusiasm to learn and develop technical knowledge
- Ability to adapt in a dynamic environment
- The necessary experience to undertake the challenging role
The posts will be on Gateshead Health NHS Foundation 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 following suitable training. This includes a 24/7 working pattern, including early, late and night shifts (including weekends) in line with changing service requirements.
Working for our organisation
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 acronym ICORE; 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As an Pathology Support Worker (Higher grade) in the Blood Sciences reception Department, the post holder will contribute to the provision of the clinical laboratory service, as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and support workers, performing work activities in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
The post holder will follow an in-service certificated competency training programme. Under the guidance of qualified staff, the Pathology Support Worker (Higher grade) 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. The post holder will provide operational and training support within Blood Sciences reception.
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. These tasks are of a more advanced nature than those of a Pathology Support Worker.
A detailed description of key duties and responsibilities can be found within the attached job specification for each grade.
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.
The Laboratories are situated in the heart of the North East, close to the historic and cultural cities of Newcastle and Durham. The area offers excellent leisure, sport and shopping facilities with the Northumbria coast and countryside nearby. There are excellent transport links both regionally and between the laboratory sites.
The Trust also offers key additional benefits such as onsite childcare facilities, cycle to work schemes, discounted travel options and health and well being initiatives.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Minimum of NVQ3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent level qualification in a relevant topic
- GCSE Grades A-C to include Mathematics and English Language or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- GCSE or A level in a science subject
- Supervisory training course or qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Considerable Biomedical NHS Pathology Laboratory Experience or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Experience in Blood Sciences Laboratory
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nicola Keepin
- Job title
- Departmental Manager for Haematology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0191 445 5606
- Additional information
Informal enquiries are welcomed.
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