Job summary
- Main area
- Blood Transfusion
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 out of hours shift covered will be expected in this role.)
- Job ref
- 252-8237825
- Employer
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Darent Valley Hospital
- Town
- Dartford
- Salary
- £27,106 - £28,850 per annum inclusive of allowances
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Healthcare Scientist Support Worker - Blood Transfusion
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Please note - THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO KENT AND MEDWAY PATHOLOGY NETWORK STAFF (I.E. THOSE EMPLOYED BY DARTFORD AND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST, MEDWAY NHS TRUST, EAST KENT HOSPITALS NHS TRUST, MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST). ANY APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE NOT EMPLOYED BY THE NETWORK WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
The role of the Healthcare Science Support Worker (HSSW) is primarily to support the department’s Biomedical Scientists (BMS) and provide administrative assistance in the processing of patient specimens. This will primarily include: preparing specimens, processing specimens, loading analysers, running and maintaining analysers and dealing with phone calls. Additional responsibilities within this role include blood transfusion traceability.
Participation in the 24/7 out of hours shift cover system is expected.
Main duties of the job
To identify and load patient samples and begin analytical test procedure according to SOPs.
To perform daily tasks recorded on checklists. Including daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on all analytical and non-analytical tasks within the laboratory.
To maintain and check the daily stocks of reagents, kits and consumables required for the analytical equipment and load reagents on to analysers.
To monitor all stock levels within the department on a weekly basis and advise BMS staff if supplies fall below minimum stock levels.
To liaise with clinical staff over the phone
Working for our organisation
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or experience. We value different perspectives and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds to help us reflect the communities we serve and deliver the best possible care.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
Our Continuous Quality Improvement approach drives ongoing improvements to our services and helps us maintain high standards of patient care.
As an NHS employee, you may work with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage staff to keep up to date with COVID-19 and annual flu vaccinations to help protect patients, colleagues, and themselves, supporting our commitment to providing safe, high-quality care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Technical Responsibilities:
Support the work of BMS staff working within the laboratory.
Book in samples for testing within the department or referral to other departments.
Prepare samples for testing on automated and manual laboratory analysers, identify and load patient samples and begin analytical test procedure according to SOPs then unload, sort and store samples appropriately.
Maintain test turnaround times by dealing with samples in a timely manner
Perform daily tasks recorded on checklists. Including daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on all analytical and non-analytical tasks within the laboratory such as temperature chart changes, checking of massive blood loss bleep, laboratory mobile and alarms.
Inform BMS staff of any issues, inconsistencies or inaccuracies within the department.
Perform a second demographic check on all samples (if required) prior to loading on to automated analysers.
Maintain and check the daily stocks of reagents, kits and consumables required for the analytical equipment and load reagents on to analysers.
Monitor all stock levels within the department on a weekly basis and advise BMS staff if supplies fall below minimum stock levels.
Receive, unpack, log and store all reagents used within the laboratory.
Please see attached job description for further information.
Person specification
Education and Training
Essential criteria
- Numerate and literate to NVQ level 3 (or equivalent pathology / laboratory experience)
- Grade C or above GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Use of Laboratory Information System
- Ability to work well within a Team
- Computer literate with good keyboard skills
- Ability to multitask
- Good communication / interpersonal skills
- Ability to operate and maintain automated laboratory analysers
- Good telephone manner
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to manage demanding workload and produce results in a timely manner
Experience
Essential criteria
- Worked with biological specimens in a previous role
- Previous work experience in a similar role, preferably in the NHS
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working in a Pathology department
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Haskins
- Job title
- Chief Biomedical Scientist in Blood Transfusion
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01322 428501
- Additional information
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