Healthcare Science Assistant

Alfianni Online - Artist Netwerk; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a full-time Healthcare Science Assistant to join their team in Cellular Pathology at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The role involves processing patient samples, assisting in laboratory duties, and requires experience in a laboratory setting. The ideal candidate will have five GCSEs including English and Science. Competitive salary and flexible working options are offered.

Qualifications

• Understanding of a basic range of routine laboratory processes.
• Basic understanding of human biology.
• Previous NHS laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

• Receipt and processing of patient samples.
• Assisting Biomedical Scientists during specimen dissection.
• Prepare slides from patient samples for issue.
• Inputting data into Laboratory Information Systems.
• Restocking of laboratory consumables.

Skills

Good communication skills

Good keyboard/typing skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, Maths, and Science

Job description

Job Summary

Applications are invited from enthusiastic individuals to expand our team of full‑time Healthcare Science Assistants in Cellular Pathology at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. The Department provides Histology, Cytology and Mortuary services. It is purpose‑built within a prime city‑centre location, offering an attractive career opportunity.

A Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) is part of a clinical support team in a hospital laboratory whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.

The HCSA will use practical skills to carry out a variety of laboratory duties including reception and data entry of requests received, filing of slides/sample blocks and some basic pathological tests under the supervision and guidance of a Biomedical Scientist.

Applicants should meet the essential requirements with experience of working in a laboratory. The laboratory core working hours are from 7am to 6pm, some flexibility in shift patterns may be required to support service needs. Participation in a Saturday rota will also be required.

Interview Date Saturday 22 November 2025
Hours 37 Hours 30 Minutes per week
Application Note You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

Main duties of the job

• Receipt and processing of patient samples, which include anatomically identifiable body tissues and fluids.
• Assisting Biomedical Scientists and Pathologist during specimen dissection.
• Prepare slides from patient samples for issue, sorting, transport and filing of blocks and slides.
• Inputting data into Laboratory Information Systems (APEX).
• Machine maintenance.
• Restocking of laboratory consumables and reagents.
• Discard of laboratory waste.
• Other general laboratory duties supporting Biomedical Scientists and Medical Staff in preparing patient samples for diagnosis.

About Us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

• Freeman Hospital
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service
• Cramlington Manor Walks

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Details

Date posted: 31 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 317‑2025‑34‑011‑VA1
Job locations: Royal Victoria Infirmary, 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP

Job Responsibilities

• A Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.
• The HSA will use practical skills to carry out a variety of laboratory duties including reception and data entry of requests received and some basic pathological tests under the supervision and guidance of a Biomedical Scientist.
• Assist in the preparation of specimens for analysis, including booking in patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens.
• Carry out under supervision some laboratory procedures and the operation of laboratory equipment e.g. microtome, Faxitron X‑ray machine, cassette labelling machine, slide staining machine.
• Label‑stained microscope slides and match them to correct request form.
• Match labelled tissue cassettes with request form.
• Filing and retrieval of slides and tissue blocks both in the laboratory and at the off‑site archive.
• Record on request form dictated specimen details during the dissection of tissue samples by medical and scientific staff.
• Work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors.
• Adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, risk assessments and standard operating procedures) and report any non‑compliances to a senior member of staff.
• Ensure the risk of infection to yourself, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by familiarising with and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control, attending Trust induction programmes and statutory education programmes.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications & Education

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English, Maths and Science or equivalent qualification (e.g. NVQ Level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support).

Knowledge & Experience

• Understanding of a basic range of routine laboratory processes including assisting in basic sample processing, using laboratory equipment.
• Basic understanding of human biology.
• Previous NHS laboratory experience.
• Understanding of health and safety.
• Experience of using laboratory equipment.

Desirable

• Additional experience or training in a relevant laboratory setting.

Skills & Abilities

• Good communication skills.
• Good keyboard/typing skills.
• Able to concentrate for long periods of time.
• Good hand‑eye coordination.
• Attention to detail.
• Self‑organisation and ability to prioritise.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Able to meet the physical requirements of the role (lifting weights of 10kg or more and carrying out repetitive tasks for prolonged periods of time).
• Ability to tolerate exposure to samples of a distressing nature and prolonged exposure to unpleasant smells.

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 details

Employer name: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Victoria Infirmary, 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary, NE1 4LP

Employer website: https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us