Biomedical Support Worker - Histopathology

NHS; Norwich; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is offering a full-time position in the Histopathology Department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The role involves processing patient specimens and maintaining laboratory equipment while offering opportunities for professional development. The ideal candidate should have NVQ level 2 qualifications and excellent communication skills. Benefits include flexible working hours, discounted gym memberships, and a comprehensive pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

Free 24-hours confidential counselling support

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a laboratory is desirable.
• Understanding of health safety protocols.
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Sort, label and process patient specimens.
• Assist with the digital scanning service.
• Participate in laboratory equipment maintenance.

Skills

Excellent communication and inter-personal skills

Good hand/eye coordination

Methodical and precise work

Education

NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualifications

Job description

Job summary

Posts are available in the Histopathology Department. This presents an exciting opportunity to be part of an excellent team working in a busy modern teaching hospital laboratory. The department has a workload of around 70,000 surgical requests per year and covers a wide range of routine and specialised services to enable a diagnosis to be identified.

The department has recently upgraded equipment, and is implementing a fully digital reporting service.

Main duties of the job

• Sorting, labeling and processing of patient specimens from operating theatres, wards, clinics, post mortem room and G.P surgeries.
• Enter patient data on the Pathology computer system, assist at specimen dissection, participate in technical roles including routine section cutting and tissue embedding.
• Make up solutions, file and retrieve archive material, carry out daily equipment maintenance and cleaning tasks.
• Assist with the digital scanning service.

The role provides essential support to Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists working in the laboratory. There is an opportunity to learn laboratory technical skills. May be opportunities for further training/study and progression, depending on experience and qualifications.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff! The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

Benefits

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream – access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support
• On‑site Nursery
• On‑site cafes offering staff discounts
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job details

Date posted: 12 January 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £23,615 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number: 234‑25‑E1021

Job locations: The Cotman Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UB

Responsibilities

• Participate in the maintenance of laboratory equipment, according to standard protocols. Report any equipment faults to senior BMS staff.
• File and retrieve, when required, laboratory request forms, blocks and slides.
• Perform basic stock control duties and take appropriate action.
• Work as part of a team.
• Work in specimen reception and cut‑up, the main laboratory, immunohistochemistry and digital scanning areas on rotation.
• Use the laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and other Trust IT platforms.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 3111, does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Person specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualifications.

Desirable

• Previous lab experience.

Experience (Desirable)

• Some experience of working in a laboratory.

Skills (Essential)

• Excellent communication and inter‑personal skills.
• Demonstrate good hand/eye coordination.
• Be methodical, precise and accurately work to deadlines.

Attitude, aptitude (Essential)

• Awareness of need to maintain their own health safety and that of their colleagues.
• Be an effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence.
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

The Cotman Centre

Norwich

NR4 7UB

Website: https://teamnnuh.co.uk/