Job summary
**Please note this vacancy is only open to staff currently working in Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN)**

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Applications from candidates in other NHS trusts will not be considered.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientist to join Pathology Blood Sciences at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate, Kent.

This is a full-time Band 3 position (37.5 hours per week) in a supportive and dedicated team of Assistant Healthcare Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Clinical Scientists. You will play an important role in supporting the delivery of a high-quality Blood Sciences service while contributing to the continued development of pathology services across East Kent.

We are seeking an individual with experience working in an accredited NHS Pathology laboratory who is committed to delivering excellence in patient care. The post holder will contribute to maintaining the department's high quality standards and support compliance with UKAS ISO 15189:2022 accreditation requirements.

The role requires flexibility to work a shift pattern comprising early, late and weekend shifts. Following successful completion of training, the post holder will also participate in the 24-hour CPP rota, which includes nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Main duties of the job
Working within Blood Sciences and Specimen Reception, you will support HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists by undertaking a range of pre-analytical, technical and scientific duties that are essential to the delivery of a safe, efficient and effective laboratory service. Key responsibilities include:

• Receiving, checking and processing patient samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Performing data entry and maintaining accurate electronic and manual records.
• Supporting the operation, maintenance and setup of analysers and laboratory equipment within both automated and specialist laboratory areas.
• Running routine quality control procedures and assisting with quality assurance activities.
• Undertaking routine stock management and ensuring consumables are available to support service delivery.
• Assisting with general laboratory housekeeping and operational tasks to maintain an efficient working environment.
• Working collaboratively with Biomedical Scientists and other laboratory colleagues to ensure timely processing of samples and delivery of results.

The successful candidate will possess strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage their own workload effectively. Good communication and IT skills are essential, along with a commitment to teamwork, accuracy and quality.

About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN) is a formal partnership of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. Our 1000 colleagues provide services across the health and care sector to a population of nearly 2 million.

We are at an exciting point of our network development with a recommendation to form a joint venture across the four Trusts leading transformation. Our projects including single IT solutions, procurement and digital projects, to ensure our services are able to meet growing demand for our service users, patients and communities.

Details
Date posted: 29 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference number: 344-0165DBH
Job locations: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
St Peters Road
Margate
CT9 4AN
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
KMPN: You will have a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in KMPN. We are developing a network academy, a platform for all network education and training from apprenticeships to advanced clinical and scientific qualifications with a single faculty making best use of our talented educators and trainers. You will not be expected to work at sites outside of EKHUFT. However, there will be opportunities for collaborative working within the network.

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents. If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

**Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.**

Kindly note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for Biomedical Scientist roles Band 6 and above.

Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential

• Some experience of working within an NHS Trust accredited Pathology Department.
• Good level of general education.

Desirable

• Understanding of ISO 15189: 2022 accreditation standards.
• Experience of working in a Sample Reception, Blood Sciences or Biochemistry department.

Clinical skills and experience
Essential

• Good literacy and numeracy.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written).
• Able to follow and adhere to standard operating procedures, and complete relevant log sheets as required.
• Good computer and keyboard skills, including LIMS.

Desirable

• Demonstrable supervisory skills.
• Evidence of completing log sheets.
• Knowledge of conventional IT software.

Knowledge
Essential

• Sound knowledge across a range of laboratory work procedures and practices.
• Laboratory Health and Safety awareness.
• Understanding of UKAS / MHRA.

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of Biochemistry and / or General Science.

Other requirements
Essential

• To be aware of and demonstrate the Trust's Vision, Mission, Values and behaviours.

Desirable

• Examples of applying the Trust values during your working day.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details
Employer name: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
St Peters Road
Margate
CT9 4AN
United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Chief Biomedical Scientist Biochemistry
James Evans
jevans15@nhs.net
01843225544

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).