The Histopathology Department has a vacancy for a Higher Biomedical Support Worker (Band 3) to join our busy, but friendly team.

The department handles 44,000 surgical and diagnostic requests annually across two sites (Luton & Dunstable Hospital & Bedford Hospital). As the Bedfordshire Hospital Trusts forms a large general hospital, we see a wide variety of tissue and diagnostic cytology specimens, including post-mortem work.

The main Cellular Pathology Laboratory is based at Bedford Hospital site with an expectation that staff cover some shifts at Luton & Dunstable site. The department has a number of new items of new equipment including scanners to digitalise glass slides.

Pathology has full UKAS accreditation, HTA & MHRA compliance.

The post holder will contribute to the day-to-day operations and assist within technical aspects of the service.

The post holder will assist BMS and senior laboratory BMS in the delivery of a high quality, efficient and effective service, through the Quality Management System [QMS].

The post holder is expected to follow policies and procedures ensuring that the service complies with current UKAS standards, national and European legislation and discipline specific regulatory bodies.

The post holder may be required to assist in the training of support staff.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

To assist BMS and laboratory senior BMS in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive service.

To follow the quality policy for the department including the agreed quality objectives.

To follow the UKAS standards for the department using the Pathology Quality Management System as established, to fulfil the quality circles and audit inherent to the ISO 15189 standards of compliance.

To follow the Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] for the department utilising the Document Management Module of the Q-Pulse system.

To comply with Policies and Procedures commensurate to role.

To conduct day-to-day operations for the department and within the team.

To follow the quality aspects of the department ensuring that test requests are processed according to the agreed turnaround times and within the policies.

To contribute to departmental audits whether vertical, horizontal or examination audits relevant to the service.

To follow the Risk Management Policy for the department such as the reporting of incidents, accidents and adverse events ensuring that Risk Assessments are followed commensurate with the role.

To contribute to the department communication in disseminating and receiving information, arising from the management, operational and Health & Safety meetings, to colleagues where necessary.

Where required to participate in all aspects of the department, with the ability to perform a limited range of tests and assays methodically, within the limits of their training.


This advert closes on Tuesday 14 Oct 2025