Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Science Assistant

The closing date is 06 October 2025

Job summary

The West Midlands Genomics Laboratory in Birmingham is recruiting a number of permanent Healthcare Science Assistant (AfC Band 4) posts, both for current vacancies and pre-emptively for future positions that may become available. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals committed to a career in laboratory diagnostic genomics to join our dynamic team. Healthcare Science Assistant posts are available across our technical teams and provide valuable technical support within a laboratory setting.

We are looking for individuals with appropriate qualifications and experience, with previous practical laboratory experience being desirable. The WMGL has an excellent record as a training laboratory offering training across all levels of the healthcare science career pathway. We are very much committed to continuous development and have active seminar programmes available to all staff. Full competence-based training will be given.

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Science Assistant (Band 4) provides technical support to Genetic Technologists and Clinical Scientists by performing a range of routine laboratory tasks independently and accurately with minimal supervision. Appointment will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Applicants must be comfortable using a computer, be enthusiastic, flexible and able to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team. An interest in genetics in a clinical laboratory environment is essential, as is working in a laboratory-based role performing genetic laboratory techniques to deliver patient care.

Interview dates: TBC

Informal enquiries welcome, please contact Rachel Dunn on 0121 335 8036 or rachel.dunn1@nhs.net

About us

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world-leading neo-natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.

Birmingham Children's Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.

Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of two dedicated women's hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0-25 years old.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Details

Date posted

22 September 2025

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

284-25-7472044-DMUT

Job locations

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).

Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Two or more A levels in Science subjects, including Biology (grade A-C); or equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • BSc in a Biological Science or equivalent experience
  • Active participation in CPD

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential

  • Good attention to detail

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Health Safety
  • Previous practical laboratory experience at career framework 3-4 or equivalent
  • Understanding of Quality Management System's

Desirable

  • Significant laboratory experience
  • Basic understanding of the principles of human diagnostic genetic testing
  • Experience of genetic laboratory techniques

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

  • Good technical skills
  • Computer literate (Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint & Word)

Desirable

  • Supervisory skills
  • Training/Coaching skills

Personal Skills/Abilities & Attributes

Essential

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work within a team but also on own with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible approach to work

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Interest in genetics in a clinical environment
  • To include late and early cover, bank holiday and weekend working as required,
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Two or more A levels in Science subjects, including Biology (grade A-C); or equivalent qualifications

Desirable

  • BSc in a Biological Science or equivalent experience
  • Active participation in CPD

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential

  • Good attention to detail

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of Health Safety
  • Previous practical laboratory experience at career framework 3-4 or equivalent
  • Understanding of Quality Management System's

Desirable

  • Significant laboratory experience
  • Basic understanding of the principles of human diagnostic genetic testing
  • Experience of genetic laboratory techniques

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

  • Good technical skills
  • Computer literate (Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint & Word)

Desirable

  • Supervisory skills
  • Training/Coaching skills

Personal Skills/Abilities & Attributes

Essential

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work within a team but also on own with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexible approach to work

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Interest in genetics in a clinical environment
  • To include late and early cover, bank holiday and weekend working as required,

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).

Additional information

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

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Employer's website

https://bwc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Employer's website

https://bwc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Technical Programme Manager

Rachel Dunn

rachel.dunn1@nhs.net

01213358036

Details

Date posted

22 September 2025

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

284-25-7472044-DMUT

Job locations

Birmingham Women's Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

B15 2TG


Supporting documents

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