Job summary
- Main area
- Non Gynae Cytology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 323-ACS7472-ED
- Employer
- Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St. Peters hospital - Cytology department - Non gynae cytology
- Town
- Chertsey
- Salary
- £27,106 - £28,850 per annum inc. HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/10/2026 08:00
- Interview date
- 26/10/2026
Employer heading
Senior Pathology Support Worker, Non Gynae
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
The post holder will:
- Perform Non Gynaecological preparation room duties at St Peter’s Hospital.
- Maintain equipment and keep records in accordance with laboratory guidelines.
- Work at any other Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services site as required.
Main duties of the job
- To safely process samples with a potential risk of infection using a microbiological safety cabinet whilst wearing personal protective equipment
- To work with potentially hazardous laboratory chemicals appropriately and safely in accordance with laboratory procedures, COSHH and the BSPS Health & Safety Policy
- Performs a variety of manual laboratory procedures, under indirect supervision from Registered Biomedical Scientist staff. Procedures include the operation of pre-analytical sample preparation equipment.
- To participate in the preparation and staining of non-gynaecological specimens for microscopic examination, and maintain their competencies for all aspects of this area of practice
- To comply with the BSPS health and safety procedures and laboratory codes of practise at all times and adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures
- To use and maintain Cytology laboratory equipment within the department according to BSPS, Trust and departmental policies
- To ensure the maintenance and cleanliness of the specimen preparation laboratories including the correct use of disinfectants and detergents according to COSHH regulations and laboratory protocol.
Working for our organisation
Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.
Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.
We are part of a collaborative Group with the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this partnership, colleagues may occasionally work across both organisations to support shared services, development opportunities and patient care.
St Peter’s Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.
Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits and discounts.
Please note that adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.
For more information about careers at ASPH please visit:
www.asph-careers.org
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To participate in the reception, checking and labelling of all types of Non Gynae specimens processed by the Cytology department
- To liaise with users regarding errors in patient and specimen identification, returning of samples to the sender when appropriate, and recording errors
- To safely process samples with a potential risk of infection using a microbiological safety cabinet whilst wearing personal protective equipment
- To work with potentially hazardous laboratory chemicals appropriately and safely in accordance with laboratory procedures, COSHH and the BSPS Health & Safety Policy
- Performs a variety of manual laboratory procedures, under indirect supervision from Registered Biomedical Scientist staff. Procedures include the operation of pre-analytical sample preparation equipment.
- To participate in the preparation and staining of non-gynaecological specimens for microscopic examination, and maintain their competencies for all aspects of this area of practice
- To follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to be proactive in the development of these by suggesting improvements, and piloting revision
- To comply with the BSPS health and safety procedures and laboratory codes of practise at all times and adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures
- To use and maintain Cytology laboratory equipment within the department according to BSPS, Trust and departmental policies
- To ensure the maintenance and cleanliness of the specimen preparation laboratories including the correct use of disinfectants and detergents according to COSHH regulations and laboratory protocols
- To ensure that other routine laboratory tasks, such as slide filing are kept up to date and to assist in archived material retrieval
- To answer telephone enquiries in accordance with laboratory protocol in order to provide an effective and user friendly service
Person specification
essential
Essential criteria
- Good education to NVQ level 3, alternatively education to A level standard preferably including a science subject.
- Knowledge and experience of relevant specialist laboratory procedures
- Good team worker
Desirable criteria
- Equivalent level of knowledge and skill by training and experience in a laboratory
- Experience and knowledge of routine non gynae processing techniques
Essential
Essential criteria
- Use of BSPS LIMS e.g. Winpath Enterprise to include accessing patient results.
- Experience of working in A BSPS pathology laboratory or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Experience & knowledge required to train and supervise less experienced staff.
- Ability to maintain good working relationships with all members of staff
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
- Rupinder Cunningham
- Job title
- Clinical cytologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01932723542
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