Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant

University-Hospitals-of-North-Midlands-Nhs-Trust; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust in Stoke-on-Trent is recruiting a Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant (Band 3) on a 30-hour week, with a fixed-term contract. The role works across the Royal Stoke site within the Clinical Trials Department and requires careful handling of samples, data entry and SOP-compliant procedures.

The post involves lab tasks, equipment handling, and support for trial data management, with a pro rata salary of £25,760–£27,476 per annum.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths, English and a Science subject (grade 4/C or above).
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Experience in a laboratory environment and NHS setting.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day running of the Clinical Trials laboratory under supervision.
• Perform laboratory procedures/activities per SOPs.
• Resolve simple problems like unlabelled samples following SOPs.
• Maintain stock of reagents and consumables.
• Assist with data entry on LIMS and related tasks.
• Communicate results to clinicians accurately.

Skills

Good communication skills

IT skills

Analytical skills

Prioritise workload

Data entry experience

NHS experience

Theoretical technical knowledge

Laboratory experience

Education

GCSEs including Maths, English and Science (grade 4/C or above)

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Main area Pathology Grade Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (12 months from start date) Hours Part time - 30 hours per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.) Job ref 205-8248549

Employer University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Stoke University Hospital Town Stoke-on-Trent Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 15/10/2026 23:59

Pathology Healthcare Science Assistant

Band 3

Job overview

At present, University Hospitals of North Midlands is unable to offer visa sponsorship for Band 2 to Band 4 roles, as these positions do not meet the minimum salary and skill thresholds required under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.

An exciting opportunity has arisen with the the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service based within the Royal Stoke Clinical Trials Department.

The post holder will be required to perform a range of routine and non-routine tasks within Pathology following Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The tasks will include: sample receipt and preparation, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and updating of information systems. To work within the written Policies and Procedures of the Department especially in relation to Health and Safety and Quality.

To be an efficient and flexible member of the laboratory team assisting in the delivery of the service. ms

Main duties of the job

• To support the day-to-day running of the Clinical Trials laboratory, with the support of the Clinical Trials Associate Practitioner and the Quality Operational Support Manager for Clinical Trials.
• To perform a number of laboratory procedures/ activities.
• Resolve relatively straightforward problems e.g. inappropriate and unlabelled samples according to the departmental SOPs, escalating to a more senior member of staff where appropriate.
• To ensure adequate stock of all reagents and consumables are maintained, properly rotated to minimise waste and ensure service delivery.
• To support in clerical tasks such as: o Request entry on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) o Monitor generic email inboxes and calendars o Assist with data collection for clinical trials as required
• To ensure that agreed data quality checks are carried out and, if discrepancies are found, to report or rectify them as appropriate
• To communicate technical information (this may include test results where departmental policies allow) to clinicians and other colleagues ensuring that this is understood and transcribed correctly and record appropriately
• Is aware of, understands and complies with the Pathology Quality Policy and supports the development and implementation of the Pathology Quality Management System (Q-pulse) the for Clinical Trials laboratory

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details regarding this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good standard of education demonstrated by GCSE grades 4/C or above in Maths, English and a Science subject
• Basic level of theoretical technical knowledge of the role
• Relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent.

Knowledge, skills, training and experience

• Basic analytical skills with an ability to work in a methodical and systematic way.
• Awareness of Health and Safety matters
• To have intermediate and accurate IT skills
• Ability to prioritise workload in response to service need
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Experience of data entry
• Previous experience of working within a laboratory environment.
• Experience of working in the NHS

Personal Qualities

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for delivering to their agreed objectives
• Prepared to work flexibly including participating in weekend and other out of hours rotas as necessary
• Ability and willingness to fulfil the travel requirements of the post if relevant - primary place of work as per JD but on rare occasion may reasonably be asked to work at another site where the Trust has responsibility for Pathology services.

Equality and diversity

• We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
• Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
• New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been awarded the Gold Award for proudly supporting those who serve. We actively encourage applications from the Armed Forces community.

In line with the change of Immigration rules on 8th January 2026 if you require Sponsorship through the Skilled Worker Visa you must be able to provide B2 English evidence before a Certificate of Sponsorship can be issued.

Visa eligibility notice:

The UK Home Office has imposed an emergency brake on specific visa routes.

• Skilled Worker visas cannot currently be issued to Afghan nationals.
• Study visas cannot currently be issued to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar or Sudan. As a result, we are unable to progress applications requiring sponsorship under these routes.

UHNM supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in preparing your supporting statement. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where AI has been used in a misleading manner, for example, by implying experience or understanding that the applicant does not possess or where its use is excessive or unfair. If AI has been used to support your application, you must declare this within your submission.

If you obtained your qualifications overseas, you will be required to provide an official government translation through ECCTIS (formerly known as NARIC). Please note, this is in addition to any professional registration requirements and not a replacement for your qualifications.

If you are currently in the UK on a visa, you must have at least six months remaining on your visa at the time of your start date to ensure sufficient time for the operational and training process associated with the role. The requirement of at least six months remaining on your visa does not apply to a Skilled Worker Visa, as a new Skilled Worker Visa would be required for a new role.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Kathryn Ford Job title Lead Biomedical Scientist for Clinical Trials Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01782 671535 Additional information

Claire Hudson, Operational Service Manager for Pathology Clinical Trials

[e-mail]