Healthcare Science Assistant

Job overview

The Microbiology and Virology Services Department is looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to join the dynamic team as a Healthcare Science Assistant.

Healthcare Science Assistants process a wide range of clinical samples and enter data onto the laboratory computer system (LIMS). Other duties include answering telephones, reception duties, handling reports and discarding of laboratory waste.

• Interview Date: Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th June 2025.
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

• To ensure samples are processed correctly according to departmental SOPs
• Ensure that samples arriving in the laboratory are checked and correctly input into LIMS system to ensure patient safety
• Courteously and professionally answer telephone calls from a variety of service users including GPs. Give out authorised results and transfer calls as appropriate to ensure efficiency
• Ensure stocks of reagents are maintained and that the work section  is always clean and tidy

Applicants need to have a positive approach and be flexible to assist in all sections of the department as required to meet workflow.  Good communication skills are essential. Previous experience of working in a clinical microbiology/virology department is desirable.

The successful applicant will be expected to participate in late shifts, weekend and Bank Holiday working once suitably trained.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• A Healthcare Scientist Assistant (HCSA) is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.
• The HCSA will use practical skills to carry out a variety of laboratory duties including reception and data entry of requests received and some basic pathological tests under the supervision and guidance of a Biomedical Scientist.

Responsibilities:

• To abide by Trust policies and procedures.
• To assist in the reception, sorting and preparation of specimens for analysis, including the separation of blood, serum and plasma, the cataloguing and storage of specimens plus appropriate waste disposal.
• Entering requests into the laboratory computer system.
• To carry out, under supervision, some simple laboratory diagnostic tests/procedures and the operation of laboratory equipment.
• To assist in the department Quality Assurance programmes.
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
• Answering telephone enquiries and retrieving results in accordance with the standard operational procedure.
• Manually transcribe, record, scan laboratory data, input to and manipulation of the laboratory computer system including Quality management system tool – QPulse and derivation of worksheets for qualified staff.

Additional responsibilities specific to individual sections:

• To order blood products from the National Blood Authority and to transfer blood stocks as appropriate under the supervision of a senior member staff.
• To label and issue patient intended blood/blood products.
• To assist in sterilisation, disinfection procedures and media preparation.
• To carry out under supervision embedding, and microtomy of simple cases.
• Label stained microscope slides and match them to correct request form.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.