Biomedical Science Assistant (Higher Level)

Transformation Unit; Rotherham; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology Partnership invites applications for a Biomedical Science Assistant (Higher Level) in Rotherham. This NHS Band 3 position is a full-time, permanent role within a busy microbiology/ancillary support setting, with training and rotational duties across out-of-hours and weekends after competency.

Experience in NHS labs is valued but not required. Salary £25,760–£27,476 per annum, pro rata for part-time staff.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at level C/4 or above.
• Level 3 qualification or IBMS Part I or extensive laboratory experience.
• Ability to follow SOPs and policies.
• Experience with a range of laboratory techniques.
• Previous NHS laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clerical and technical procedures under supervision.
• Perform technical duties under indirect supervision.
• Pre-analytical processing of samples: receipt, preparation and processing.
• Store, retrieve and dispose of biological material per procedures.
• Handle queries from medical/nursing staff and service users.
• Assist in maintaining high technical standards.
• Promote and maintain education and training.
• Adhere to Trust and departmental policies.
• Maintain clinical records and input test results as needed.
• May supervise, organize, and train staff in area.

Skills

Keyboard skills

IT skills

Health & Safety awareness

Effective communication

Education

GCSE Maths and English (C/4 or above)

Level 3 qualification or IBMS Certificate (Part I) / extensive lab experience

Job description

Main area Laboratory Medicine Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (The successful candidate will be expected to work 37.5 hours a week including weekends once training completed.) Job ref 190-1958-DIR-S

Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Town Rotherham Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa/ pro rata for part time staff Salary period Yearly Closing 29/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 13/10/2026

Biomedical Science Assistant (Higher Level)

NHS AfC: Band 3

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes , health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) Pathology Partnership fully integrates the pathology services delivered on behalf of the Partner Trusts within the Integrated Care System (ICS) footprint; Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

The Pathology Partnership will provide the best possible service for patients and clinicians; improving health outcomes, delivering quality and efficiency benefits and ensuring a sustainable workforce for the longer term.

Applications are invited from enthusiastic individuals to join the team in this busy laboratory in an ancillary support role. The Rotherham Microbiology department provides a complete analytical and diagnostic service that assists in the diagnosis of infections in inpatients, outpatients, and General Practitioners across Rotherham/barnsley and surrounding areas.

The successful candidate will be expected to work full days (08:30-17:00) and take part in the contractual out of hours- late duty and weekend rotation once competent. This post is a support role and does not require or lead in to a state registered position. There is no requirement for a degree.

Main duties of the job

To deliver clerical and technical procedures, under the direction of the responsible healthcare scientist practitioner.

Performs a number of technical duties, under the indirect supervision/direction of a suitably qualified practitioner.

Pre-analytical processing of samples to include the receipt, preparation, and processing.

Store, retrieve and dispose of biological material according to the relevant procedures.

Deal with direct queries from Medical Staff, Nursing Staff and other Service Users including telephone enquiries and taking appropriate action as necessary.

Assist in maintaining high technical standards.

Promote and maintain a high standard of relevant education and training.

Adhere to all Trust and departmental policies.

Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out and may input/ interrogate test results of others.

May be required to supervise, organise, and allocate work and/ or train less experienced staff in own area.

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

STHFT operates with a budget of £1.2 bn, has a workforce of over 18,500 employees, covers five hospital sites, provides care from over forty community settings, and has an excellent reputation for research.

As an organisation we value and respect our staff and the community we serve. We provide excellent staff benefits; this includes commitment to professional development but also many initiatives to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria, previous laboratory experience is essential.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English at level C/4 or above
• Level 3 qualification e.g. NVQ, 2 A-Levels, Apprenticeship or IBMS Certificate of Achievement (Part I) or Extensive laboratory experience in the relevant discipline

Experience

• Ability to follow and work to Standard Operating Procedures and Policy
• Experience with a range of laboratory techniques
• Previous NHS laboratory experience

Skills and Knowledge

• Keyboard and basic IT skills
• Have an awareness of Health & Safety issues
• Effective Communication skills, written and oral

Personal Qualities

• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work

Please note that in order to comply with the UK Government’s rules on Skilled Worker sponsorship, any applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements or concessions on salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker visa will not be eligible to receive sponsorship from the Trust. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application. Further details on these concessions, and who qualifies for them, can be found here .

The Trust is committed to its obligations in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community.