Biomedical Support Worker (XR02)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Leeds seeks a motivated individual for the Department of Cellular Pathology. The role includes collecting and processing clinical specimens, assisting in technical investigations, and maintaining laboratory standards. The ideal candidate will possess GCSEs in Maths and English, demonstrate effective communication and teamwork skills, and have a foundational understanding of laboratory procedures. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative healthcare solutions while ensuring patient confidentiality and safety.

Qualifications

• Evidence of basic laboratory technical procedures.
• Understanding of health and safety protocols in the workplace.
• Knowledge of patient confidentiality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Collect, deliver, and process clinical diagnostic specimens.
• Prepare samples and chemical reagents.
• Communicate effectively with healthcare colleagues.

Skills

Teamworking

Effective communication

Independence

Work management

Dexterity

Education

Maths GCSE

English GCSE

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Anopportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to become a valued member of our team in the Department of Cellular Pathology. The post is primarily based at St Jamess Hospital but there may be a requirement for cross site cover to meet service demands.

The postholder will collect, deliver, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimens for biological testing. They will undertake routine clinical technical investigations, which may involve operating complex equipment following standard operating procedures. The postholder may also enter and retrieve patient demographic details using the laboratory information system. The postholder will be expected to communicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff. The postholder will be required to work with chemicals and biological tissue/organs/fluids.

An innovative department, we were the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning all surgical slides and the first to introduce automated tissue sectioners to the UK. We are a regional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and pilot site for the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad. The department has appointed a Transformation Lead to support with development of the service and is also supported by a Pathology Technology & Innovation Lead.

Expected interview date(s): 29th & 30th Jan 2026

Candidates who have previously applied for this position in the last 6 months need not apply.

Main duties of the job

Working as a member of the departmental team you will be expected to perform a range of routine tasks in support of biomedical, scientific and medical staff. You will have problem solving skills that will allow you to make judgements and decisions about job related situations and will be required to communicate information, some of which may be related to patient management and care. Tasks may vary from day to day but examples would include: receiving diagnostic samples into the laboratory, preparation of samples, including sample/document collection and delivery, preparation of chemical reagents, processing, assisting specimen dissection, and safe disposal of clinical / laboratory waste. You may be required to respond to telephone enquiries, assist in monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of equipment, assist in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables and participate in laboratory audit processes.

About us

The department provides Histopathology, Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology and mortuary services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and surrounding primary care centres. We are a well equipped and innovative department being the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning 100% of surgical slides, also introducing the UK's first automated tissue sectioners. We process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum. We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skill of all staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further development is encouraged. We have UKAS accreditation to ISO15189 standards. We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.

Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

As a healthcare worker dealing with sensitive (patient related) information the importance and value of personal honesty and integrity as a commitment to patient service and confidentiality will be recognised. In contributing to the quality of a technical clinical service you will understand the requirement to continuously develop appropriate skills and accumulate relevant knowledge whether by formal or in‑house training.

WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnership's ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition.

INFECTION CONTROL

The job holder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

HEALTH AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The job holder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT / CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The job holder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

As the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

Internal

• Colleagues, supervisors and managers within the speciality
• Pathology staff working in other specialities
• Members of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners
• Administrative and secretarial staff
• Estates and facilities staff

External

• Staff in primary care facilities
• Staff in other hospitals
• Staff in non NHS organizations (for example suppliers of consumables)

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

As the job holder you will be required to work in a clinical laboratory environment. As such you will work under controlled conditions where chemical and biohazardous materials are handled. For your own protection you will be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this you will receive training. Frequent periods of light and occasional periods of moderate physical activity related to stores management may be expected. The service is delivered from a number of different sites and you may be required, subject to consultation, to travel between sites.

i) PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy.

The tasks are repetitive and may involve the job holder standing at equipment or sitting at the laboratory bench for extended periods.

Regular requirement to sit at PC and regular requirement for post holder to be mobile for collection & delivery of samples.

This job requires the holder to participate in stock control, including the movement of goods from the point of delivery to the point of storage. This will require frequent movement of light and moderate loads up to 15kg.

Subject to suitable and sufficient manual handling training the job holder may occasionally be asked to assist in the movement of laboratory equipment (e.g. centrifuges, incubators) or consumables that weigh in excess of 15kg. (e.g. gas cylinders, containers of large volumes of fluid)

There is normally no requirement to lift people.

ii) MENTAL EFFORT:

The day to day repertoire of this job is diverse and the job holder can expect to be asked by supervisory staff to change tasks at short notice. In order to minimise errors concentration is required on a daily basis when processing specimens. Occasionally this may require prolonged concentration and is subject to workload.

The job holder is expected to operate complex laboratory equipment. This task requires concentration so that personal safety is maintained, and equipment is not damaged.

There is no requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle.

iii) EMOTIONAL EFFORT:

In normal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder and exposure to emotional circumstances is limited. However, subject to the requirements of the speciality some patient contact may occur such as in the collection of capillary blood samples from children.

iv) WORKING CONDITIONS:

The job holder will be required to work with chemical and biological material every shift. The working environment in a clinical laboratory is strictly controlled and under normal circumstances these hazards are contained. There will be occasional exposure to uncontrolled chemical and biological hazard after spillage or leakage.

Exposure to physical aggressive behaviour is rare. Occasional exposure to verbal aggression occurs during telephone communication with service users.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Maths GCSE standard or equivalent qualification
• English GCSE standard or equivalent qualification
• Basic computer skills, knowledge of conventional IT software and IT literacy e.g. Microsoft Office
• Demonstrable evidence of a willingness to undertake further in‑house or formal training

Experience

• Evidence of basic laboratory technical procedures
• Evidence of an understanding of health and safety in the workplace
• Evidence of an understanding of patient confidentiality
• Evidence of an understanding of the requirement for following policies and procedure
• Evidence of previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Evidence of previous experience of working in a Cellular pathology laboratory

Skills & behaviours

• Evidence of teamworking
• Evidence of the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Evidence of the ability to work independently
• Evidence of the ability to plan and manage designated workloads
• Evidence of the ability to demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate
• Evidence of the ability to take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
• Evidence of the ability to demonstrate examples of dexterity