Higher Level Biomedical Assistant Histology

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in England is seeking a full-time BMA to join its Histology laboratories. This role involves extensive training and various laboratory responsibilities, including case registration, equipment maintenance, and specimen processing. Ideal candidates will have good communication skills and attention to detail. The successful applicant will work a flexible 37.5 hour week under supervision, contributing to optimal patient care.

Benefits

Continuous personal development

Training provided

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Previous laboratory experience is advantageous.
• Full training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Registering cases onto the laboratory information system.
• Microscope slide and tissue block filing.
• Daily and weekly laboratory equipment cleaning and maintenance.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

The Histology laboratories at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and South Warwick Foundation Trust are looking for a fixed term, full‑time BMA to join our team. We hold full UKAS ISO15189 accreditation.

Previous laboratory experience would be an advantage, but is not essential as full training will be provided. This is not a trainee BMS role; it is not suitable for candidates wishing to attain an IBMS registration portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Registering cases onto the laboratory information system.
• Microscope slide and tissue block filing.
• Receipt, unpacking, checking and labelling of diagnostic samples.
• Dealing with telephone enquiries.
• Receiving stock deliveries and unloading them into storage areas.
• Removal of waste into storage areas.
• Microtomy, embedding.
• Collating cases for meetings.
• Daily and weekly laboratory equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Retrieval of blocks and slides from storage.
• Inputting accurate and timely patient and specimen data into Trust computerised systems.
• Safe disposal of contaminated materials, including sharps and confidential waste.
• First point of contact for all telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries, handled professionally.
• Sorting and identifying received specimens, taking appropriate action for any discrepancies.
• Preparing an extended range of samples for testing by laboratory staff and supporting BMS tasks.
• Opportunity to work in containment level 3 facilities for primary specimen processing and housekeeping, with stringent safety systems.
• Preparing basic confirmatory or supplementary work to support BMS staff, excluding unsupervised interpretive tasks.
• Dispatching and posting samples to authorised persons and outside laboratories, ensuring statutory compliance.
• Undertaking agreed clinical and non‑clinical tasks following training, referring to appropriately trained staff as needed.
• Participating in training and supporting less experienced staff in their orientation to the department and role.
• First contact point for routine daily maintenance problems on analysers.
• Participating in appraisals and personal reviews, working to achieve personal objectives.
• Operating and performing maintenance on manual, semi‑automated and fully automated laboratory equipment and analysers.
• Adhering to policies and Standard Operative Procedures, reporting any changes in practices to scientific staff.
• Promoting and monitoring adherence to Health and Safety and Trust policy designed to protect staff and service users.
• Following correct laboratory procedures after accidents, injuries, spillages or breakages, and reporting to the appropriate officer.
• Knowing when to refer problems to senior and medical staff as appropriate.
• Scheduling workload to comply with laboratory workflow demands, adjusting to urgent specimens, telephone enquiries or staff requests.
• Processing specimens to ensure accurate labelling and any required pipetting or measurements.
• Receiving and checking deliveries.
• Communicating appropriate patient results to authorised recipients and referring to clinical and scientific staff when required.

Additional Information

Successful candidates will work under supervision according to Standard Operative Procedures, performing an extended range of technical support duties predominantly to facilitate optimal patient care.

A flexible approach to working hours is expected, restricted to 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate will be employed on a 24/7 contract.

Training and encouragement are provided for CPD and other personal development.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly, including Junk or SPAM folders.

If invited to interview, you will be asked to set up an account with the Trac recruitment system to confirm your interview time.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – further details are available at uhcw.nhs.uk.

The advert closes on Friday 28 Nov 2025.