Healthcare Science Support Worker

Transformation Unit; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, is recruiting a Healthcare Science Support Worker in Microbiology. The role is 16.5 hours per week on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential shift work after training.

Based at The James Cook University Hospital, cross-site duties across North Tees/Hartlepool trusts may apply. The post requires good IT skills, solid communication, and a flexible, patient-centred approach.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths and English and Science required.
• Experience with Word, Excel and PowerPoint expected.
• DBS clearance and pre-employment checks as part of NHS processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine laboratory support under supervision in Microbiology.
• Operate automated, semi-automated and manual techniques per protocols.
• Update Laboratory Information Management Systems with patient data.
• Support Biomedical Scientists and reception duties as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and participate in shift work after training.

Skills

IT skills

Communication

Self-motivated

LEAN principles

Education

5 GCSEs incl Maths English Science

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Novice and leadership sessions in first year

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Employer South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The James Cook University Hospital Town Middlesbrough Salary £25,272 per annum (pro rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 23:59

Healthcare Science Support Worker

Band 2

Job overview

The Pathology Departments of both North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust are working collaboratively to develop a joint service from all hospital sites. Though the department is based at The James Cook University Hospital, this position may require cross site working as appropriate.

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Healthcare Science Support Workers to join the Microbiology department. The department is UKAS accredited and has IBMS training approval. CPD is actively encouraged.

The vacancy is 16.5 hours per week , 12 months fixed-term contract post working as support scientist within the Microbiology department.

The department operates a 24/7 shift system at A4C rates. It is expected that the post holder will participate in shift working after a suitable period of training.

A high standard of patient confidentiality is required.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will be expected to have good IT skills, telephone manner, a flexible approach to working, good manual skills and work with automated equipment to assist Biomedical Scientists in their routine work.

·Under direction of the Microbiology Management team and Microbiology Biomedical Scientists, the post holder will be required to provide a support function to Biomedical Scientists by performing a range of routine laboratory tasks according to protocols.

·To work as part of a dedicated, multi-skilled and flexible team to provide an efficient, high-quality service within the Directorate.

·Perform under remote, indirect or direct supervision an extensive range of automated, semi-automated and manual techniques at a high level of expertise and knowledge.

· The post holder will be required to have the skills necessary to update the Laboratory Information management systems for example, the patient test request, records, etc.

· May undertake reception area duties, receive and issue samples or products.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates, including those who first language is not English.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Able to communicate and maintain good relations with all levels of staff.
• Self motivated
• Able to understand new Technological advances
• Flexible approach to working hours
• Familiar with LEAN principles

Qualifications and Training

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including Mathematics (or equivalent e.g. Key Skills at level 2 in Numeracy), English Language (or equivalent e.g. Key Skills at level 2 in Literacy), and a Science subject. Alternatively, Mathematics and English plus NVQ Level 2 or above in a relevant subject.
• Attendance at Novice and leadership improvement sessions within first year of role
• Experience of computer packages such as WORD, Excel, PowerPoint

Experience

• Experience of electronic data input
• Experience of working in a laboratory, with clinical NHS experience as preferable.
• Experience of shift working or out of hours working.
• Experience of Quality Management systems.
• Microsoft Office

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic and forward looking
• Focused on best interests of patients
• Calm when under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who arenew to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted.You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).
Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested toensure e‑mail addressesfor all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to supportyou throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting disabled people and people with long‑term conditions

We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.

This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [e-mail] or call us on 01642 854610

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship hereWork in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Further Important Information

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that this vacancy will close when we receive sufficient completed applications.