Assistant Healthcare Scientist in Sample Reception

East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust; Ashford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital trust in the UK is seeking an Assistant Healthcare Scientist for their Pathology Sample Reception in Ashford. The role involves receiving samples, preparing reagents, and providing customer service. Ideal candidates will have a keen eye for detail, good keyboard skills, and a flexible approach to working. Opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment are available. This is a full-time position requiring a commitment to a 7-day working pattern.

Qualifications

• Keen eye for detail is essential.
• Ability to participate in a 7-day working pattern including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Responsibilities

• Receive and check samples in the Pathology Sample Reception.
• Data entry and handling of sample-related information.
• Prepare reagents and perform general laboratory maintenance.
• Stock control and pre-analytical duties such as centrifugation of samples.
• Provide a high level of customer service.

Skills

Good keyboard skills with a high level of accuracy

Good team player

Flexible approach to working

Interest and aptitude for science

Motivated and enthusiastic

Education

Educated to at least GCSE level or equivalent

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

We are looking for applicants to work as Assistant Healthcare Scientists (Band 2) in Pathology Sample Reception at William Harvey Hospital (WHH). 2 full-time positions are available, 37.5 hours per week, based at WHH in Ashford, Kent. Part-time working may be available.

A keen eye for detail and excellent customer service skills are essential. Successful applicants will be required to participate in the ‘7-day working’ pattern including weekends and Bank Holidays. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Pathology Blood Sciences team at the Trust and to help shape future strategy and services for our local population. We currently hold UKAS Accreditation, an HTA Licence and are an IBMS training laboratory.

The post holder will work in the Sample Reception area of the main laboratory and undertake duties to support Biomedical Scientists in the preparation and examination of biological samples. Duties include receiving and checking of samples, data entry, reagent preparation, general maintenance, stock control and pre-analytical duties such as the centrifugation of samples. The post holder regularly interacts with patients and other service users, also dealing with phone queries.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s vision, mission and values, which can be found in our candidate information pack. The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values.

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: Kent and Medway Pathology Network 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.

We 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.

KMPN: 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.

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.

This advert closes on Sunday 2 Nov 2025

Responsibilities

• Receive and check samples in the Pathology Sample Reception.
• Data entry and handling of sample-related information.
• Prepare reagents and perform general laboratory maintenance.
• Stock control and pre-analytical duties such as centrifugation of samples.
• Provide a high level of customer service and interact with patients and service users; handle phone queries.

Qualifications and qualities

• Good keyboard skills with a high level of accuracy.
• Good team player with a flexible approach to working.
• Ideally some laboratory experience, or an interest and aptitude for science.
• Motivated and enthusiastic; educated to at least GCSE level or equivalent.