Healthcare Science Assistant

NHS; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organisation in the East Midlands is seeking a motivated Healthcare Science Assistant to join their Cytology Department at Royal Derby Hospital. This role involves specimen processing, HPV testing, and data entry into hospital systems. The ideal candidate will possess an NVQ level 2 and GCSEs in Biology, Mathematics, and English at grade C or above. The position requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Benefits include ongoing support and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Onsite fitness classes

Car schemes

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 or a minimum of six months on the job training.
• GCSE Biology, Mathematics, and English all at grade C or above.

Responsibilities

• Specimen receipt and processing using automated systems.
• HPV testing and entering patient details into the pathology computer system.
• Laboratory duties will be required.

Skills

Data entry

Health & Safety awareness

Issue escalation

Education

NVQ level 2

GCSE Biology grade C or above

GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above

GCSE English grade C or above

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Science Assistant

The closing date is 07 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Cytology Department. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Healthcare Science Assistant to work at UHDB based at the Royal Derby Hospital.

The ability to work in a team is crucial as well as being able to work accurately and independently.

Main duties of the job

The post involves:

• Specimen receipt and processing using automated systems
• HPV testing
• Entering patient details and requested tests into the pathology computer system
• Laboratory duties

Closing date of applications: 07 January 2026

Interview date: 21 January 2026

If you are considering applying for an internal secondment, please ensure you have discussed this with your line manager and obtained their support prior to submitting your application.

Please be aware that there is no guarantee that you will be released from your substantive post, so you should seek approval before applying as you are applying or a Secondment.

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 or a minimum of six months on the job training
• GCSE Biology grade C or above
• GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above
• GCSE English grade C or above

Knowledge

• Health & Safety awareness

Experience

• Experience of data entry
• Familiarisation with hospitals and patient information
• Laboratory experience

Skills

• Evidence of escalating issues to senior team

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.

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust