Pathology Support Worker - Symptomatic FIT

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in North East England is seeking a Pathology Support Worker to assist with the symptomatic FIT service. The role involves processing faecal samples, managing inventory, and supporting clinical laboratory activities. Successful candidates will undergo competency training and work under qualified supervision in a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Balance wellbeing program

Qualifications

• Achieved GCSE or equivalent in basic scientific knowledge.
• Laboratory experience required.
• Flexibility in working patterns to meet service needs.

Responsibilities

• Processing returned faecal sample tests and logging receipt.
• Preparing symptomatic FIT sample kits and managing inventory stock levels.
• Labeling kits for distribution to patients following GP requests.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Education

GCSE or equivalent in basic scientific knowledge

GCSE Grades A-C including Mathematics and English

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support or similar

Job description

Pathology Support Worker - Symptomatic FIT

The post holder will provide support to the symptomatic FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) service provided by South of Tyne & Wear Clinical Pathology Services, covering the North East region and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin region.

The symptomatic faecal immunochemical test (FIT) detects hidden blood in stool, an early sign of bowel cancer. As a Pathology Support Worker, the post holder will contribute to the clinical laboratory service as part of a team including support workers, Team Leaders, and Biomedical Scientists, performing activities according to Standard Operating Procedures.

The role involves processing returned faecal sample tests, logging receipt, preparing symptomatic FIT sample kits, managing inventory stock levels, and supplying GP practices within Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Additionally, support will be provided to the North East FIT service by labelling kits for distribution to patients following GP requests.

The post holder will undergo a competency training program under qualified staff supervision. Upon successful training and assessment, they will perform the described tasks proficiently.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to the attached Job Overview and Job Description documents. Contact us for further details if needed.

About us

Based in North East England, we provide hospital and community health services from facilities including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre, and Bensham Hospital in Gateshead.

Established in 2005, as one of the first foundation trusts, we have maintained high standards of patient care. We employ around 4,800 staff and operate 444 hospital beds across Gateshead.

Our values—Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement—are central to our work, encapsulated by the acronym ICORE.

We support diverse staff networks such as GEM, D-Ability, LGBTQ+, Women’s, and Armed Forces networks, fostering an inclusive environment. Our 'Balance' wellbeing program offers support to ensure a healthy, happy workforce, details at balancegateshead.com.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Overview and Job Description documents. Contact us for further details if needed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Achieved grade GCSE or equivalent in basic scientific knowledge

Experience

• Laboratory experience

Additional Requirements

• GCSE Grades A-C including Mathematics and English, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Flexibility in working patterns to meet service needs
• Willingness to work with biological materials
• NVQ Level 2 in Clinical Laboratory Support or similar

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring disclosure of any criminal convictions.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Hub