Job summary We are looking for a Healthcare Scientist Support Worker to join our team. You will be working with us to provide a service to cancer patients to ensure that they receive their results in a timely manner. You will be working across all areas of clerical and administrative, scientific and technical to support the molecular pathology service. Will include Saturday working Main duties of the job The successful candidate will be involved in a range of tasks including receiving specimens and booking them into the laboratory information system. You will be carrying out tissue and slide preparation techniques and supporting the scientists and medical staff in all areas of the laboratory. You will also be working across the clerical and administrative area to support the team as required. You will need to be able to understand and convey detailed information in a professional helpful manner. You will be working within a team and have an ability to prioritise workload and work well under pressure. About us Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a staff of around 9000 and is dedicated to providing the Best Care for Everyone. The Cellular Pathology Department is based within the Pathology Department at Cheltenham General Hospital and is one of the biggest within the South West. We have a team of medical staff, scientists and support staff working in a busy environment and are focused on providing a high quality efficient service. Date posted 03 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year pa Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 318-25-T0093 Job locations Cheltenham General Hospital Cheltenham GL53 7AN Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will, amongst other duties, be required to: Check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances Recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times To ensure that tissue taken is secured and safe for processing many samples are unrepeatable To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto laboratory computer system in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request To carry out embedding of paraffin wax processed tissue blocks under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Healthcare Scientist To carry out paraffin block tissue sectioning using a microtome under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Healthcare Scientist To perform regular maintenance of equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records To act as the first point of contact for the Molecular Pathology Section dealing with diverse and complex telephone and email enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given. (This may range from requests for histology tests, requests for results, to being the first point of contact for complaints). To receive and action requests for genomic testing on Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue. To log all requests in the department databases and Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS). To assist with associated paperwork and digitisation of the Cellular Pathology and Molecular Pathology services. To support the tracking of cancer patients through Cellular Pathology and Genomics testing to ensure timely access to clinical care. To support the development of improvements to working practises and processes and contribute to service review as required. Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will, amongst other duties, be required to: Check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances Recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times To ensure that tissue taken is secured and safe for processing many samples are unrepeatable To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto laboratory computer system in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request To carry out embedding of paraffin wax processed tissue blocks under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Healthcare Scientist To carry out paraffin block tissue sectioning using a microtome under indirect supervision of an HPC registered Healthcare Scientist To perform regular maintenance of equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records To act as the first point of contact for the Molecular Pathology Section dealing with diverse and complex telephone and email enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given. (This may range from requests for histology tests, requests for results, to being the first point of contact for complaints). To receive and action requests for genomic testing on Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue. To log all requests in the department databases and Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS). To assist with associated paperwork and digitisation of the Cellular Pathology and Molecular Pathology services. To support the tracking of cancer patients through Cellular Pathology and Genomics testing to ensure timely access to clinical care. To support the development of improvements to working practises and processes and contribute to service review as required. Person Specification Qualifications / Experience Essential GCSEs in English and Science, A level Science or equivalent Previous Laboratory experience Good team worker Able to maintain levels of concentration for prolonged periods Ability to prioritise workload and cope under pressure Good communication skills Good working knowledge of MS Office Desirable Previous experience of training staff Basic knowledge of medical terminology Person Specification Qualifications / Experience Essential GCSEs in English and Science, A level Science or equivalent Previous Laboratory experience Good team worker Able to maintain levels of concentration for prolonged periods Ability to prioritise workload and cope under pressure Good communication skills Good working knowledge of MS Office Desirable Previous experience of training staff Basic knowledge of medical terminology Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Cheltenham General Hospital Cheltenham GL53 7AN Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)