Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level (XR03)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution is looking for a dedicated Biomedical Support Worker to join their Cellular Pathology Department in Leeds. This full-time, permanent role involves handling and processing clinical diagnostic specimens, conducting routine and complex investigations, and training new staff. The successful candidate will receive extensive training, contribute to quality assurance, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Previous laboratory experience is essential. The institution values continuous improvement and high-quality standards in patient care.

Benefits

Comprehensive in-house training

Opportunities for further development

Qualifications

• Previous laboratory experience is required.
• You will gain knowledge through experience and training.
• Flexibility in work approach is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Handle and process clinical diagnostic specimens.
• Perform routine and complex investigations under supervision.
• Organize tasks for support staff and assist with departmental management.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication

Experience in laboratory work

Education

A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level (XR03)

JoinOur Team as a Higher Biomedical Support Worker

Weare looking for a dedicated and motivated individual to join our CellularPathology Department in a full-time, permanent role.

Ourdepartment is at the forefront of innovation, utilizing advanced technologiessuch as Xpress processing, digital scanning, and being the first in the UK tointroduce fully automated sectioning.

Inthis role, you will carry out routine and complex clinical technicalinvestigations in a fast-paced environment, often working to tight deadlines.Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, flexibility, and excellentcommunication are essential. Previous laboratory experience is required, andyou will receive comprehensive in-house training to ensure competence withinthe laboratory.

Weare proud to be an IBMS-accredited training lab, committed to high-qualitystandards and continuous improvement. The department is supported by aTransformation Lead and a Pathology Technology & Innovation Lead, drivingservice development and innovation.

Ouroperating hours are Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, with standard andextended day shifts available.

Ifyou are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge pathology services andthrive in a collaborative team environment, wed love to hear from you.

ExpectedInterview dates: 16th-17th February 2026

Main duties of the job

Youwill work as part of the Cellular Pathology team, handling and processingclinical diagnostic specimens. Duties include routine and complexinvestigations under supervision, such as biopsy transfer, tissue embedding,microtomy, and cytology preparation. The role involves working with chemicalsand human tissue/fluids. You Will develop the skills needed to deliver anaccurate, timely service for patients and apply professional judgment intechnically challenging situations. Responsibilities may include organizingtasks for support staff, training new team members, and assisting withdepartmental management, including ordering and stock control.

About us

Thedepartment provides Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle,Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular, and Mortuary services for LTHT andsurrounding primary care centres.

Weare a large department processing circa 60,000 surgical cases, 3000 andrologycases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases perannum.

Thedepartment is staffed with a range of professions including Biomedical &MortuarySupport Workers, Associate Healthcare Science Practitioners, Anatomical Pathology Technicians, Biomedical Scientists, AdvancedPractitioner Biomedical Scientists, admin and secretarial staff, pathologistsand a management team.

Asa training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff.There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further developmentis encouraged. We endeavour to follow'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

Primarilybased at St James University Hospital, there may be a requirement to rotateto other sites and sections. Participation on a Saturday rota may also berequired.

COREBEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

• To gain new knowledge throughexperience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
• To become an integral member of ateam providing a clinical technical service
• To work independently when and asdirected by supervisors
• To communicate clearly andeffectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
• To plan the designated workload andassist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers
• To work with precision and followaccurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
• To operate highly complexlaboratory equipment safely and efficiently
• To input and extract patient datafrom the laboratory computer system
• To demonstrate relevant tasks toothers as appropriate
• To contribute actively towards theimprovement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions withother team members
• To remain competent in establishedprocedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
• To participate actively in thedepartmental appraisal scheme
• To take account of changes inservice delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

COREKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Asthe job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

Carry out a range of basic and morecomplex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe andeffective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand theneed to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.

Participate actively indepartmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level ofknowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levelsof quality have not been met.

Participate in the maintenance of asafe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazardsassociated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitableactions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazardsinclude fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled anduncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Maintain patient confidentiality.You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive informationthat is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements ofdepartmental policies relating to service provision, for example samplelabelling and adverse event reporting.

PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• To perform, sometimes undersupervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that areconsistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.
• To develop your competences in thedepartment and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance withdepartmental standard operating procedures.
• To participate in departmentalresearch and development projects, audit processes and support appropriateclinical trials involving the laboratory
• To enter, manage and retrievepatient information using the laboratory computer system.
• To communicate accurately sensitiveand complex information to users of the service in a manner that is inaccordance with departmental procedures
• To demonstrate relevant job relatedtasks to new or more junior staff
• To actively participate in thelaboratory quality assurance programme
• To contribute to generaldepartmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receiptand control of consumables

Thislist is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time totime may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. Thesewill be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of theirimplementation.

ThePathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located onseveral sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required towork in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by theLaboratory Manager.

Inaddition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policiesand procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line managerduring your period of induction and further information is available from theTrusts intranet site.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

• Evidence of the ability to work in a team and independently
• Evidence of a flexible approach to work
• Good communicator and friendly attitude

Additional Requirements

• Dexterity
• Physically able to move around and between sites

Experience

• Evidence of previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Evidence of knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
• Evidence of competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures

Qualifications

• A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects

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.