Pathology Support Worker

Transformationunitgm; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health trust in the UK is seeking a Pathology Support Worker for a permanent contract based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. This role involves performing scientific procedures on biological samples and contributing to disease diagnosis. Candidates are required to have GCSEs in Mathematics and English, or equivalent, along with previous NHS laboratory experience. The position is 37.5 hours per week with mandatory 24/7 shift cover, and offers a salary of £24,465 per annum.

Benefits

Laboratory tours for shortlisted candidates

Support initiatives for staff wellbeing

Qualifications

• GCSEs in Mathematics and English or equivalent required.
• Prior experience in an NHS laboratory is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Perform scientific procedures on biological samples for disease diagnosis.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures under guidance.
• Utilize complex laboratory equipment for routine tests.

Skills

Previous NHS Laboratory experience

Education

GCSE Grades A-C to include Mathematics and English and/or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Main area Haematology and Blood Transfusion. NHS AfC: Band 2. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Mandatory 24/7 shift working, cross site cover). Job ref 297-7685178.

Employer: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. Site: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead. Salary: £24,465 per annum. Salary period: Yearly. Closing: 17/02/2026 23:59.

Job overview

The South of Tyne Pathology Service was established in April 2013 with the consolidation of Pathology across the 2 North Eastern Trusts of Gateshead and South Tyneside & Sunderland. Blood Sciences has laboratories at all 3 sites with the Pathology Centre laboratory sited at Gateshead and acute laboratories at Sunderland and South Tyneside.

The department has state of the art equipment and technology and prides itself on being forward thinking and innovative. It also has a proven track record in staff training and development. We are currently hold full UKAS accreditation status.

To support the South of Tyne Pathology Service through its procurement project, an opportunity has arisen for a Pathology Support Worker within our central reception team to work across the three hospital sites.

To be eligible to apply for a post you must meet ALL the essential criteria requirements of the relevant personal specification. Please ensure you respond to all personal specification requirements in your application.

Main duties of the job

Qualified staff will be responsible for performing 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.

See attachments for more details.

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 a Pathology Support Worker in the Pathology 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 a competency training programme. Under the guidance of qualified staff, the Pathology Support Worker 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.

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Grades A-C to include Mathematics and English and/or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.

Skills

• Previous NHS Laboratory experience

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Name: Nicola Keepin. Job title: BHI Departmental Manager. Email address: [e-mail]. Telephone number: 0191 445 5611.

Additional information: Laboratory tours are available for shortlisted candidates. Please contact the laboratory to arrange.