Healthcare Science Associate

Healthcare Science Associate

Closing date: 05 July 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to work within our Blood Sciences Department as a Healthcare Science Associate on a fixed term, eleven month contract. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are ready to start or develop their career in the NHS. You will need to be a good communicator, have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to multitask effectively. Prioritisation and time management skills will be essential to the role. You should hold a foundation degree, or higher, in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities or equivalent.

Job Details

• Interview Date: Friday, 17 July 2026
• Hours: 37 hours 30 minutes per week

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will work as part of a team and carry out varied tasks including specimen reception, labelling, registration, pre analytical preparation and processing, analysing a limited range of tests and data manipulation using the department networked computer system.
• The post holder will perform laboratory and POCT tests, operate equipment and analysers, record some laboratory results, dispose of waste following departmental procedures, respond to telephone enquiries and give out test results as appropriate.

Job responsibilities

• A Healthcare Science Associate 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 associate will use practical skills to carry out tasks associated with the pre analytical preparation of specimens, analysis of a limited range of tests and post analytical duties. This includes day to day management of Quality Assurance Schemes within the Blood Sciences Department and managing Point of Care Testing analysers across the Trust.
• Specimen reception: reception, sorting and labelling of patient specimens, identification of inadequate or mislabelled specimens and prioritisation of urgent samples.
• Data entry, preparation of specimens for analysis, booking of in patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens.
• Analysing a limited range of tests (e.g. urine pregnancy tests, blood gas analysis, ionised calcium) in line with departmental SOPs.
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot departmental analysers in line with departmental SOPs.
• Undertake simple analytical procedures under guidance and maintain and operate laboratory equipment in accordance with departmental SOPs.
• Manually transcribe and record laboratory data, input to and manipulate the laboratory computer system, and derive worksheets for qualified staff.
• Receive requests for information by telephone and respond appropriately.
• Prepare and reconstitute reagents and control materials as required, record stock levels, maintain instruments and equipment, and keep appropriate records both manually and electronically.
• Manage day to day departmental Quality Assurance by distributing, monitoring and reporting tests on all schemes.
• Co ordinate distribution of Quality Assurance reports and assist Team Leaders in review.
• Manage Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices across the Trust, including training, audit and quality control.
• Work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for yourself, colleagues and visitors. Adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, risk assessments and SOPs) and report any non compliances to a senior member of staff.
• Oversee Healthcare Science Assistants (HSAs) working in the section.
• Train new members of HSA staff.
• Provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department.

Qualifications & Education

• NVQ4, or Foundation Degree in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities, or IBMS certificate of Achievement portfolio, or equivalent level experience.

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience as a Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) in a Blood Sciences discipline.
• Basic computer and keyboard skills.
• Understanding of routine Blood Sciences laboratory procedures and competence in pipetting, weighing, dilution, reagent preparation and quality checks.
• Knowledge or interest in biomedical sciences.

Skills & Abilities

• Organised and methodical.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust