Healthcare Science Assistant

Role overview

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an enthusiastic and driven Healthcare Science Assistant for its Cytology Department at Royal Derby Hospital in Derby. The role calls for someone who can contribute effectively as part of a team while also maintaining accuracy and independence in day-to-day work.

Key duties

• Receive and process specimens using automated laboratory systems.
• Carry out HPV testing.
• Log patient information and requested investigations into the pathology computer system.
• Organise and file slides.
• Support general laboratory tasks.
• Deal with routine telephone enquiries.

Internal secondment guidance

If you are applying as an internal secondment, you must first discuss the move with your line manager and secure their support before submitting an application. Release from your current substantive role is not guaranteed, so approval should be obtained in advance.

Important dates

Applications close on 28 July 2026. The interview is scheduled for 13 July 2026.

About the Trust

The Trust describes itself as a key community healthcare provider committed to delivering exceptional care together for local people, patients, staff, and partners. Its core values are Compassion, Openness, and Excellence, and these are expected to shape behaviour and working practice across the organisation.

What the Trust offers

Staff can access development opportunities, including both professional growth and leadership development. Ongoing support is provided from recruitment through to joining and beyond. Benefits also include an employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, and car schemes.

Key facts

• On average, the Trust handles 4,810 outpatient appointments per day.
• Its Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatient service is the 4th busiest in England, with around 2,077 patients seen each week.
• Emergency departments across the network see about 1,115 patients daily, ranking it as the 3rd largest in the country.
• The hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients each day.
• Nearly 33,700 planned surgical operations were carried out last year across 57 operating theatres.
• It is one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• More than 140 elective procedures are completed on each working day.
• UHDB is a research-active university hospital with a broad range of clinical trials and research opportunities for staff.

Contact for informal enquiries

For further information, you may contact Belinda Parkinson, Senior Biomedical Scientist, by email at belinda.parkinson@nhs.net or by telephone on 01332 788411. You can also contact the laboratory directly on 01332 788 411. The usual working pattern is Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. The team welcomes informal questions about the role, department, or working environment.