Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) - Neuropathology

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Plymouth is seeking a technical assistant to support Biomedical Scientists with specimen processing. The role involves maintaining supplies, assisting in lab duties, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Ideal candidates should have GCSEs and demonstrated ability in a lab environment. This full-time permanent position offers a salary of £24,465 a year.

Qualifications

• Literate and numerate.
• Basic IT skills, knowledge of MS office.
• Experience of LIMS desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist Biomedical Scientists in preparation and processing of tissue specimens.
• Participate in research & development, including data collection.
• Maintain adequate stocks of reagents and consumables.

Skills

Basic IT skills

Ability to learn

Maintain accuracy and precision

Education

GCSE's 9-4 (A-C) in Maths & English

NVQ level 2 in business administration or related subject

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Job Summary

This post supports technical and administrative duties within all areas of Cellular Pathology, including neuropathology, a specialist section of the pathology services in the South West. Enabling and assisting Biomedical Scientists in their duties: assisting in the preparation and processing of biological specimens, carrying out technical aspects of the service and data recording as required.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will work together with the senior staff, peers and support staff in cellular pathology, to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective technical service.
• Reagent preparation, maintaining files, data collection
• Support Pathologists and biomedical scientists in dissection

About Us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £24,465 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 216-SF-C7502627

Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job Responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To assist the Biomedical Scientists (BMS) in the preparation and processing of tissue specimens submitted for examination and biological material submitted for cytological examination.
• Participate in research & development undertaken by the Department, including sample preparation and collation of data as necessary.
• To assist senior colleagues in the maintenance of adequate stocks of reagents and consumables to ensure continuous service provision.
• To participate in the collection, receipt, safe storage and disposal of reagents and other supplies.
• To maintain an adequate supply of clean glassware, make up solutions and collect chemicals from the various stores as required.
• To assist in the maintenance and running of any laboratory equipment as directed. This will include maintaining cleanliness to the necessary standard, discarding waste chemical solutions, replenishment of fresh solutions and use of the instrument.
• To assist the BMS staff in the preparation of slides and smears for microscopic examination.
• To become familiar with laboratory instrumentation used in your day‑to‑day activity and resolve first line problems.
• To participate in the entry of data into the laboratory computer system during the various stages of processing.
• To assist in the maintenance of both hard copy and computer held reports.
• Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of slides, blocks and diagnostic samples.
• Maintain a good standard of tidiness and cleanliness in the laboratory areas, including daily disposal of clinical waste and sharps bins as necessary.
• To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non‑clinical meetings.
• To participate in the dispatch of specimens and material to other centres.
• Cut sections from paraffin embedded blocks using the high level skills acquired during training to produce sections that are artefact free and of the necessary quality.
• Undertake preparation and staining techniques in accordance with the procedures or as directed by a senior member of staff or the medical staff.
• To follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times and as directed by senior staff and contribute to their formulation. Propose any changes to these SOPs in order to maintain the quality of service and maximise efficiency.
• Meet the necessary standards of speed, quality and accuracy, appropriate to the level of experience and training.
• To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
• Take appropriate action with regard to telephone calls from internal or external agencies using initiative, within broad guidelines by the consultant/departmental manager and providing written results if requested.
• To attend departmental and section briefings as required.
• Proactively and positively contribute in regular team meetings, commenting on and suggesting continuous improvement to current work practices.
• As part of a team, contribute to the continuous improvement program of the Pathology service.
• To assist in the process of continual quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes.
• To assist in audit carried out by internal and external agencies.
• To observe all Departmental, Trust and National Safety regulations relevant to the service, ensuring attendance at any updates required of the individual.
• To be familiar with the Risk Management Strategy and Departmental Safety Standard and take action necessary to reduce risk.
• Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, injuries and deficiencies in equipment detailed in Trust‑wide and local protocols and procedures.
• Ensure issues and problems are resolved satisfactorily and referred through your line management structure as appropriate.
• To ensure contemporaneous completion of your induction and training records.
• To attend Statutory and Essential Update Training and Manual Handling Training annually.
• To participate in the annual IPR and achieve any targets set at this time.
• At the direction of senior departmental staff, undertake work from any source commensurate with the knowledge and skills of your grade.

Person Specification

Knowledge – Essential

• Basic IT skills, knowledge of MS office

Knowledge – Desirable

• Experience of LIMS

Qualifications – Essential

• Literate and numerate
• GCSE's 9-4 (A-C) in Maths & English and NVQ level 2 in either business administration or related subject or equivalent demonstrable experience

Qualifications – Desirable

• Science based learning

Aptitude & Abilities – Essential

• Maintain accuracy and precision
• Maintain accuracy and precision, whilst under pressure
• Ability to learn

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/