Associate Healthcare Science Practitioner (XR04)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Leeds is seeking an enthusiastic Associate Healthcare Science Practitioner to join the Cellular Pathology team. This role involves performing laboratory techniques on patient samples using manual and automated methods, ensuring high-quality service. You will be responsible for using and troubleshooting various laboratory equipment while participating in departmental improvements. The ideal candidate will possess a Level 4 qualification in a science-related subject and have relevant laboratory experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of conventional IT software and IT literacy.
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory.
• Previous experience of working in Cellular Pathology.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory techniques on patient samples.
• Operation and troubleshooting of automated platforms.
• Participate in quality and improvement agenda of the department.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Dexterity

Numeracy

Literacy

Education

Level 4 Qualification in a laboratory or science-related subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate Healthcare Science Practitioner (XR04)

Weare seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Department ofCellular Pathology team in LTHT. The Department provides a Histopathology,Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology andMortuary service for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. Due to the expanding workload we arerecruiting additional staffing to join our team. The postholder will be involved in performinglaboratory techniques on patient samples, using both manual and automatedplatforms.

Weare a continually improving and innovative department. We were the first laboratory in the UKdigitally scanning all surgical slides and the first to introduce automatedtissue sectioners to the UK. We are aregional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and pilot site for the CancerVaccine Launch Pad. The department has appointed a Transformation Lead tosupport with development of the service and is also supported by a PathologyTechnology & Innovation Lead. We arean IBMS accredited training lab and strive for high quality staff andprocesses.

Thedepartment operates Monday to Saturday 7:30 to 7:30 with standard day andextended day shifts.

Expectedinterview dates 9th & 10th February 2026

Main duties of the job

Examplesof general duties will include:

Microtomy

Operation, maintenance andtroubleshooting of AS-410 autosectioners

Operation, maintenance andtroubleshooting of automated special stains platforms

Operation, maintenance andtroubleshooting of automated immunocytochemistry platforms

Thisjob requires a high degree of dexterity and precision, for example, handlingvery small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides forexamination by others. In order to achieve the required turn around times thework must be performed with both speed and accuracy.

Youwill be expected to participate in the quality and improvement agenda of thedepartment / CSU.

Thepost holder will fulfil the departmental objective of a good quality analyticaland interpretive laboratory service to the benefit of patient care.

About us

Thedepartment provides Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle,Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular, and Mortuary services for LTHT andsurrounding primary care centres.

Weare a large department processing circa 60,000 surgical cases, 3000 andrologycases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases perannum.

Thedepartment is staffed with a range of professions including Biomedical &MortuarySupport Workers, Associate Healthcare Science Practitioners, AnatomicalPathology Technicians, Biomedical Scientists, Advanced Practitioner BiomedicalScientists, admin and secretarial staff, pathologists and a management team.

Asa training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff.There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further developmentis encouraged. We endeavour to follow'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Scientific/TechnicalObjectives

Toperform appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks consistent withthe job holders levels of knowledge, skills and experience. These tasks mayvary from day to day but examples would include:

Competencyin relevant technical and analytical aspects of service area

Identifiesminor errors and take corrective action to resolve within scope of practice

Performsbasic troubleshooting of analytical problems under the direction andsupervision of a qualified person, if outside scope of practice

Seeksadvice where test results are outside acceptable limits, in accordance withinstructions defined in standard operating procedures

Communicationof routine technical information to users of the service under supervision ofHCPC registered staff

Useof LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information.

Underdirection of the team lead, co-ordinates effective workflow management withinservice area

Takesproactive measures to ensure that agreed turnaround times are met andeffectively prioritises analyses

Performsquality control in accordance with the requirements of standard operatingprocedures.

Confirmsthat investigations have been completed in strict accordance with therequirements defined in standard operating procedures and associated qualityassurance documentation

Performsroutine maintenance and first line calibration of equipment in accordancewith standard operating procedures

Performsmaintenance and quality control checks prior to testing and instigatesremedial action to basic problems, in accordance with limits of practicedefined in standard operating protocols

Thisjob requires a high degree of dexterity and precision, for example, whenmanipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes ofclinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination byothers. In order to achieve the required turn around times the work must beperformed with both speed and accuracy.

Leadership& Management Objectives

Supervisionresponsibilities for designated staff

Deliverstraining and competency assessment for staff within own area - competencyassessment for more junior staff?

Supportseffective and efficient management of section, including optimisation ofworkflow and continuous improvement

Contributesto general departmental management by assisting in the ordering, receipt andcontrol of consumables and stock levels

Organiseown tasks on a day to day basis under the guidance of section lead

Maintainown competence in established procedures and participate in relevant trainingwhere required.

Supportswaste reduction and continuous improvement incentives for designated area

Supportscollaborative team working across all sections.

QualityObjectives

Toparticipate in the quality agenda and compliance monitoring of the laboratoryincluding (but not limited to): datix reporting & basic immediateinvestigation of issues, contributes to audit and compliance within scope ofpractice, identifying defects & undertaking basic quality control(samples/digital images etc), contributing to quality documents updates &SOPs.

Performsand confirms successful analysis according to QMS

Monitorsquality indicators and correctly identifies instances where work has deviatedfrom them.

Maintainpersonally generated analytical test results and interrogates test resultsgenerated by others

Followsstandard operating procedures but advice is available from section lead asrequired

Makejudgements over a range of facts or situations which may require analysisover a range of options.

Reportsincidents of nonconformity with QMS requirements and identifies potentialunderlying causes.

Undertakea wide variety of automated and manual test procedures referring to sectionlead when necessary

Assistin maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the diagnostic testing process.

Participatesin the collation of service user/stakeholder feedback

Supportswith research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/testsincluding verification of new technology/tests in specialist area

Supportswith identification of service improvement opportunities and implementationof improvement actions

Assistsin the delivery of continuous improvement/development plans for specialistarea

Other

Undertakeother duties as commensurate with the grade and role as agreed with linemanager.

Asthe job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with adiverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

Internal

-Colleagues, supervisors and managers within the speciality

-Pathology staff working in other specialities

-Members of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners

-Administrative and secretarial staff

-Estates and facilities staff

External

-Staff in primary care facilities

-Staff in other hospitals

-Staff in non NHS organizations (for example suppliers of consumables)

Asthe job holder you will be required to work in a clinical laboratoryenvironment. As such you will work under controlled conditions where chemicaland biohazardous materials are handled. For your own protection you will berequired to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this youwill receive training. Frequent periods of light and occasional periods ofmoderate physical activity related to stores management may be expected. Theservice is delivered from a number of different sites and you may berequired, subject to consultation, to travel between sites.

i)PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Manytasks are repetitive and may involve the job holder standing at equipment orsitting at the laboratory bench for extended periods.

Regularrequirement to sit at PC and regular requirement for post holder to be mobilefor collection & delivery of samples.

Thisjob requires the holder to participate in stock control, including themovement of goods from the point of delivery to the point of storage. Thiswill require frequent movement of effort during a shift. There will be theoccasional requirement for moderate physical effort during a shift (up to15kg)

ii)MENTAL EFFORT:

Thereis a frequent requirement for concentration where the work pattern isunpredictable. The post holder can expect to be asked by supervisory staff tochange tasks at short notice. In order to minimise errors concentration isrequired on a daily basis when processing specimens. There is an occasionalrequirement for prolonged concentration subject to workload.

Thejob holder is expected to operate complex laboratory equipment. This taskrequires concentration so that personal safety is maintained, and equipmentis not damaged.

Thereis no requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle

iii)EMOTIONAL EFFORT:

Innormal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder andexposure to emotional circumstances is limited. However, subject to therequirements of the speciality some patient contact may occur such as in thecollection of capillary blood samples from children.

iv)WORKING CONDITIONS:

Thejob holder will be required to work with chemical and biological material onevery shift. The working environment in a clinical laboratory is strictlycontrolled and under normal circumstances these hazards are contained. Therewill be occasional exposure to uncontrolled chemical and biological hazardafter spillage or leakage.

Exposureto physical aggressive behaviour is rare. Occasional exposure to verbalaggression occurs during telephone communication with service users

Person Specification

Experience

• Knowledge of conventional IT software and IT literacy e.g. Microsoft Office
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Previous experience of working in Cellular Pathology

Skills & behaviours

• Able to work in a team and independently
• Flexible approach to work,
• Friendly and a good communicator
• Dexterity
• Numerate and literate

Qualifications

• Level 4 Qualification in a laboratory or science-related subject or IBMS Certificate of Achievement part 2

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.