Higher Level Biomedical Assistant | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

UHCW NHS Trust; Warwick; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Warwick is seeking an experienced Biomedical Assistant to support digital pathology and histology tasks. The role involves embedding, microtomy, and managing laboratory workflows. Candidates must have relevant experience and a flexible approach to working hours. This position offers a full-time contract of 37.5 hours per week, with potential shifts including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience with microtomy and embedding.
• Ability to recognize tissue types for sectioning tasks.
• Basic knowledge of histology processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform accurate embedding of varied tissue samples.
• Conduct microtomy of tissue samples to high standards.
• Manage filing/retrieval of slides and patient materials.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Biomedical Assistant who would like an additional challenge to be involved in the digital pathology, microtomy and allocation of work to consultants. This position will be one of a team of Band 4 Biomedical assistants working with Biomedical Scientists and other Biomedical Assistants to produce digital images of slides produced in the laboratory, to produce glass slides and help our consultant team manage their workload.

You will be expected to take part in other Histology laboratory duties such as microtomy, embedding and in helping the Biomedical Scientists at complementary tests such as Immunohistochemistry (see attached Job Description).

The laboratory has moved towards an extended working day with shifts in histology on Warwick and Coventry sites between the hours of 7am and 7pm and will include Saturday mornings and Bank Holidays in the future. However, as the service develops this may change and the successful candidate will be employed on a 24/7 contract. Due to the demands of the service, a flexible approach to working hours is expected, although this will be restricted to 37.5 hours per week.

Please be advised that the interviews for this post will take place in the week commencing 15/12/2025.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Key Responsibilities

1. Perform accurate embedding of varied tissue samples from small biopsies (excluding core sample biopsies), resection and post mortem specimens in paraffin wax. Using own judgement to make decisions relating to quality control, rectifying any faults where necessary. There is a requirement for the ability to recognise different tissue types to ensure appropriate orientation of samples for subsequent sectioning.
2. Perform microtomy of varied tissue samples (excluding core sample biopsies) to a high quality standard producing thin sections from specimen blocks. Use own judgement to make decisions relating to quality control, rectifying any faults where necessary, adhering to the correct specimen protocols whilst preventing the loss of diagnostic material assuring the quality of the service. The ability to recognise when samples need input from a senior member of staff is a requirement.
3. Undertake the accurate filing/retrieval of slides and blocks and scanning of request cards. Responsible for packaging patient materials i.e. reports, slides, blocks and specimens to be sent to other trusts for tests, reviews, MDT’s or other requests.

Also included will be the allocation of work to pathologists using a bespoke spreadsheet produced by our department.

**THIS IS NOT A TRAINEE BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST POST AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CANDIDATES WISHING TO ATTAIN THE IBMS REGISTRATION PORTFOLIO**

Additional Responsibilities

• Organise the slides to be tested making sure they are correctly labelled and the specific antibody has been assigned to the slide. Responsible for the loading/unloading of machines and starting staining runs.
• Prepare reagents and kits, retrieve the appropriate antibodies and produce the corresponding labels to be used in the staining process, in accordance to the daily worksheet.
• Check the quantity of the antibodies in regards to adequate volume needed for the staining process, alerting the BMS's when volumes are running low and need to be made up.
• Update the laboratory computer database when cases have been stained or require work to be repeated.
• Cut/embed control material to be used in the staining process. Ensure there is a supply of relevant control material, notifying the BMS when stocks are low.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

This advert closes on Monday 1 Dec 2025.