Pathology Support Worker (Higher Grade) Supervisor

The South of Tyne Pathology Service is an established consolidated network with laboratories across three sites, servicing both Gateshead and South Tyneside/Sunderland trusts.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Blood Sciences Service for a Higher Level Pathology Support Worker Supervisor position to work across the three hospital sites.
The position is full time but part time hours will be considered.
The posts will be on Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust terms and conditions of employment.
Our forward thinking and innovative department has state of the art equipment and technology and a fantastic training ethos to encourage development of staff to reach their full potential.
The clinical laboratory team provides a High Quality Specialist Diagnostic Service to improve the Health Care of the people of South of Tyne and Wear.
As part of the team the post holder will be expected to further develop knowledge and skills in a range of scientific procedures within Blood Sciences. The role involves being responsible for performing and supervising other Pathology Support Workers in a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of pathological processes.
Successful candidates will have:
An innovative, forward looking approach
Excellent interpersonal / communication skills
Enthusiasm to learn and develop technical knowledge
Ability to adapt in a dynamic environment
Ability to supervise and co-ordinate a team in a fast paced environment
Ability to train and motivate others
The necessary experience to undertake the challenging role
Full participation in the relevant Department’s extended working day and the out of hours service is a mandatory requirement of all posts following suitable training. This includes a 24/7 working pattern, including early, late and night shifts (including weekends) in line with changing service requirements.
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
As an Pathology Support Worker (Higher grade) in the Blood Sciences reception Department, the post holder will contribute to the provision of the clinical laboratory service, as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Support Workers, performing work activities in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. The post holder will follow an in-service certificated competency training programme. Under the guidance of qualified staff, the Pathology Support Worker (Higher grade) will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other pathological processes. The post holder will be responsible for as part of the central area management team, supervising the central area workforce ensuring the operational service needs are met. Within the supervisory team, the postholder will be responsible for providing training support and assessing competency knowledge within Blood Sciences reception. Experience of training and managing others would be beneficial.
After suitable training and competence assessment the post holder will use practical skills to perform tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens; analysis preparing and using a range of processes using a range of complex laboratory equipment to conduct routine Departmental procedures/tests.
These tasks are of a more advanced nature than those of a Pathology Support Worker. A detailed description of key duties and responsibilities can be found within the attached job specification for each grade.