Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 344-2764DCB
- Employer
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- William Harvey Hospital
- Town
- Ashford
- Salary
- £24,465 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/12/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Healthcare Scientist in Cellular Pathology
Band 2
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for Assistant Healthcare Scientists to support the Cellular Pathology service within East Kent. Two full-time roles are available, 37.5 hours per week, permanent contract, Band 2. Part-time working may be considered. Cellular Pathology is based at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, providing a wide range of cellular diagnostics in a team based environment.
Pathology provides a full microbiology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, haematology, blood transfusion, laboratory haemophilia, and cellular pathology service to the patients of EKUHFT, general practitioners, community healthcare and private hospitals in East Kent. Cellular pathology and mortuary services are based at William Harvey Hospital (WHH), Ashford, with cellular pathology (histology and cytology) exclusively centralised to WHH, including semen analysis. A satellite laboratory within dermatology at Kent and Canterbury Hospital (K&CH) is in operation once a week to support Mohs facial surgery at that location. Full mortuary facilities are also available at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, with additional body storage at K&CH.
Specific role requirement is to work in both the histology and cytology sections of the cellular pathology department, at WHH, as required and undertake duties to support Biomedical Scientists in the preparation and examination of biological samples.
Main duties of the job
Cellular Pathology services have been integrated across East Kent for several years. Laboratory services are based at the WHH, Ashford. We provide histopathology, non-gynaecological cytology and autopsy services to EKHUFT and general practitioners within the region.
Cellular pathology is known for its strong team spirit and open friendly culture. There is great emphasis on cross communication between the technical and diagnostic teams.
Cellular pathology as a whole, including mortuary staff, incorporates a team of 84 staff. From consultant pathologists, to assistant healthcare scientists. From consultant biomedical scientists reporting alongside the consultants, to admin support and clerical staff. The diversity of staff within the discipline is all incorporated into the management of the quality of service offered, with the aim of putting the patient first.
The cellular pathology service is UKAS accredited to ISO15189 standards and the mortuary service appropriately HTA accredited.
Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN) is a formal partnership of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. Our 1000 colleagues provide services across the health and care sector to a population of nearly 2 million.
Working for our organisation
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
KMPN are at an exciting point of our network development with a recommendation to form a joint venture across the four Trusts leading transformation. Our projects including single IT solutions, procurement and digital projects, to ensure our services are able to meet growing demand for our service users, patients and communities.
You will have a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in KMPN. We are developing a network academy, a platform for all network education and training from apprenticeships to advanced clinical and scientific qualifications with a single faculty making best use of our talented educators and trainers. You will not be expected to work at sites outside of EKHUFT. However, there will be opportunities for collaborative working within the network.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents’.
If you have further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Kindly note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above (BMS roles Band 6 and above).
Person specification
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
- • Good sound educational background
Desirable criteria
- • 4 GCSEs grade 1 passes (or equivalent) including Maths, English, 2 science subjects
Personal/professional attributes
Essential criteria
- • Demonstrates ability to provide and receive routine information, which may sometimes be sensitive or complex. • Able to communicate information written and verbal communication skills. • Able to minimise interpersonal conflict
Clinical skills and experience
Essential criteria
- • Keyboard proficient. • Word processing skills. • Ability to be adaptable and multi-skilled. • Attention to detail, quality of presentation and accuracy. • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate with individuals at all levels. • Team Player but can also work on own initiative. • Maintain confidentiality at all times. • Previous clerical experience
Desirable criteria
- • Knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector would be an advantage • Knowledge of medical terminology • Previous Laboratory experience
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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
- Stuart Turner
- Job title
- Head Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01233 616129
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