Healthcare Science Associate

Job Summary The department of Microbiology and Virology is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our department. The successful applicant will work as part of a team carrying out a range of analytical procedures using both automated and manual techniques. Comprehensive training will be provided and future personal development is actively encouraged. No Agencies Please NO AGENCIES PLEASE Main Duties of the Job The post holder will support Registered Biomedical Scientists in performing microbiological analysis on a range of patient samples including urine, faeces, MRSA and gynaecological swabs. They will be given the opportunity to rotate through all sections of the department including TB and Virology. The successful applicant will be trained to read basic culture plates and operate laboratory analysers under the direct supervision of the scientific team. They will also be required to assist in departmental quality assurance programmes. Applicants must have experience working in microbiology and/or virology. They must have effective communication skills and demonstrable leadership qualities. They must align to Trust Values and be flexible and reactive to service needs. The post holder will be required to work rotational late shifts and weekends following competency assessment. From an academic perspective the post holder must have attained a foundation degree or equivalent in a health care sciences subject. It is important that applicants have the ability to effectively use common IT packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. About Us 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. With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from: Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Freeman Hospital Newcastle Dental Hospital Cramlington Manor Walks Urgent treatment centres Newcastle Fertility Centre Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria Northern Genetics Service These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting‑edge care (supported by state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites. Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'. For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Details Date posted: 03 December 2025 Interview date: Monday 22 December 2025 Hours: 37 hours 30 minutes per week Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 4 Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full‑time Reference number: 317‑2025‑45‑015‑A Job location: Freeman Hospital, 317 01 Freeman Hospital, NE1 4LP 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 Healthcare Science Associate will use practical skills to carry out tasks associated with the pre‑analytical preparation of specimens, analysis of cultures on a limited range of culture plates, performing appropriate antibiotic susceptibility tests, within the Microbiology and Virology Department. The tasks undertaken are more advanced than those of a Healthcare Science Assistant (HSA). Person Specification – Essential Foundation Degree in Health Care Science or equivalent Experience as an HSA in a Microbiology or Virology Laboratory Knowledge and understanding of the role of Microbiology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease Understanding a range of routine microbiology and/or Virology laboratory procedures Understand basic scientific techniques Self‑organisation and the ability to prioritise Proven communication and leadership skills Able to handle Blood and Body samples Basic computer and keyboard skills Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work Good communication skills Follow protocols and instructions accurately Person Specification – Desirable Knowledge / interest in Biomedical Sciences specifically Microbiology or Virology 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. 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. Employer Details Employer name: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address: Freeman Hospital, 317 01 Freeman Hospital, NE1 4LP Website: https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us #J-18808-Ljbffr