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Job summary

Main area
Pathology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Possible extension if required)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift work)
Job ref
252-7362040
Employer
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Medway Maritime Hospital
Town
Gillingham
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust logo

Healthcare Science Support Worker - Haematology

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

Applications are invited for a 12 month fixed term contract as a  Healthcare Science Support Worker.

We are looking for Healthcare Science Support Workers with experience of working in an NHS pathology laboratory (or equivalent) to join our Haematology Department.

In partnership with Beckman Coulter UK (BCUK) our pathology laboratory houses a range of equipment including: Beckman Coulter DxH Analysers and Slidemaker/Stainer (SMS), IL(Werfen) TOP coagulation analysers,

Successful applicants will be expected to participate in an ongoing quality programme to maintain compliance with the United Kingdom Accreditation Standards (UKAS).

The Department covers a 24/7 shift system to support future service delivery.  The successful applicant will be expected to fully participate in the shift system in accordance with Agenda for Change (AfC) terms and conditions.

Applicants should have NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience of laboratory practices and should be able to communicate well (see person specification for further details).

 This post will be  at Medway Maritime Hospital

Working days and or shift patterns will be agreed by the line manager to meet the needs of the service.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship.  All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Please note, this post may close earlier than the given closing date once a sufficient number of applications are received. 

 

Main duties of the job

Performs a range of routine and non routine tasks, performs standard tests on clinical samples in Haematology , entering patient results into the Laboratory system, advising patients and service users on appropriate tests and sample containers and other aspects of the service and supervising and / or training less experienced staff in their own area.

Multi-site working will be expected between Pathology at Darent Valley Hospital with Pathology at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Technical responsibilities: 

 Adhering to Trust and departmental policies, guidelines and quality standards.

 Supporting the work of Biomedical Scientist (BMS) staff working within the laboratory.

Working at all times according to departmental standard operating  procedures.

Preparing and processing a range of clinical samples for testing, running automated tests on laboratory analysers as well as processing manual tests.

Entering test results on to the laboratory information system.

Performing daily, weekly and monthly maintenance on all analytical equipment within the laboratory.

Analysing daily and weekly quality control tests and only accepting values within defined criteria.

Informing BMS staff of any issues, inconsistencies or inaccuracies with QC analysed

Preparing and processing External Quality Assessment samples.

Please see attached job description for more information. 

Person specification

Education and Training

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience of laboratory practices
Desirable criteria
  • GCSE Maths and / or Science

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Basic knowledge of biomedical procedures
  • Computer literate and good keyboard skills
  • Operating and maintaining laboratory analysers
  • Processing biological specimens

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Achieving targets within a specified timeframe
Desirable criteria
  • Previously worked in a medical laboratory

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Committed to high quality standards
  • Flexible
  • Well developed concentration skills
  • Ability to work accurately under pressure

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoAge positiveInvestors in PeopleCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

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

Please be aware the vacancy may close once we have received sufficient numbers of applications.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachel Nicholas
Job title
Deputy General Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01322 428490
Additional information

Simon Wallis, Haematology Senior BMS,

[email protected] 

Tel: 01634 97(6331)

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