Associate Practitioner

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; South Derbyshire; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation may be offered

Job summary

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Associate Practitioner in histology to support the diagnostic pathology service. The role involves routine cellular pathology tasks, specimen handling, and adherence to SOPs under supervision or with defined competence.

You will work in the Pathology Department processing body fluids, tissues and high-risk specimens, contributing to high-quality technical service aligned with UKAS standards. An NHS environment experience is advantageous.

Qualifications

• GCSE literacy and numeracy level, essential.
• Experience dealing with sensitive information is desirable.
• Previous NHS or laboratory experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Participate in routine Cellular Pathology rotas and rotate through laboratory areas.
• Follow SOPs and participate in departmental training to gain competence.
• Receive, label and prepare specimens and ensure correct labelling and types.
• Troubleshoot simple lab problems and consult senior staff as needed.
• Adhere to health and safety policies and PPE requirements.

Job description

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 08 November 2026

As an Associate Practitioner in histology, the post holder is responsible for a variety of tasks that assist in the smooth operation of the section in order to deliver a specialised, diagnostic service, which contributes to the clinical care of the patient.

The post holder will carry out procedures in the Pathology Department, which do not require HPC registration. They will handle body fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens from i.e. HIV and Hepatitis B patients. They will perform appropriate scientific investigations for patients in the diagnosis of pathological disease. Using the knowledge and experience gained through training to Foundation or BSc degree level, staff will process work through the Department. The post holder will act under supervision or without supervision, following competence assessment directed by senior staff.

You will be responsible to and liaise closely with the senior staff in the department providing a high-quality technical service that builds on the standards defined by UKAS. You will be expected to develop and maintain close working relationships with all grades of staff both scientific and medical to ensure the effective delivery of the technical service.

The job will involve exposure to body fluid samples, human tissue samples and harmful chemicals.

Job summary

As an Associate Practitioner in histology, the post holder is responsible for a variety of tasks that assist in the smooth operation of the section in order to deliver a specialised, diagnostic service, which contributes to the clinical care of the patient.

The post holder will carry out procedures in the Pathology Department, which do not require HPC registration. They will handle body fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens from i.e. HIV and Hepatitis B patients. They will perform appropriate scientific investigations for patients in the diagnosis of pathological disease. Using the knowledge and experience gained through training to Foundation or BSc degree level, staff will process work through the Department. The post holder will act under supervision or without supervision, following competence assessment directed by senior staff.

You will be responsible to and liaise closely with the senior staff in the department providing a high-quality technical service that builds on the standards defined by UKAS. You will be expected to develop and maintain close working relationships with all grades of staff both scientific and medical to ensure the effective delivery of the technical service.

The job will involve exposure to body fluid samples, human tissue samples and harmful chemicals.

Main duties of the job

• To participate in the routine Cellular Pathology rotas. Rotating through all areas of the laboratory as directed by senior staff, including:
• Specimen reception
• Cut-up assist
• Embedding
• Microtomy
• Haematoxylin &Eosin (H&E) staining
• Internal Quality Control (IQC)
• Specimen Decalcification
• Special Stains
• Immunohistochemistry

Rotation will take place within the scope of individual practice, determined by training received and competence level assessment by senior members of the team.

About us

Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.

Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.

We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.

The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.

Your Next Career Move Made Easier - Accommodation May Be Offered

We understand relocating can be a big step. Hampshire Hospitals may be able to provide accommodation options for successful candidates, depending on availability. If this something you would like to explore please contact Southern Housing on 02080 360017

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To participate in the routine Cellular Pathology rotas. Rotating through all areas of the laboratory as directed by senior staff, including: Specimen reception, Cut-up assist, Embedding, Microtomy, Haematoxylin &Eosin (H&E) staining, Internal Quality Control (IQC), Specimen Decalcification, Special Stains, Immunohistochemistry. Rotation will take place within the scope of individual practice, determined by training received and competence level assessment by senior members of the team.
• To follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times.
• To participate in the departmental training programmes, gaining competence in all areas of routine Cellular Pathology.
• Receive, label and prepare specimens prior to processing. To check the validity of sample labelling and type. Assist in the Specimen Reception section when required to meet the operational needs of the department.
• To troubleshoot simple laboratory problems, seeking advice and support from senior staff when appropriate. Such issues would include:
  • Mislabelled samples
  • Poor performing assays and equipment
  • Queries from service users
• To adhere to Trust Policy regarding Data Protection, Information Governance and Freedom of Information.
• To adhere to Trust and Departmental Health & Safety policy including wearing of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.
• To maintain and promote high standards of Health & Safety within the workplace.
• To dispose of specimens and other material in accordance with H&S guidelines, RCPATH recommendations and local Pathology protocols.
• To provide the Health & Safety Leads with support in implementing policies and audit procedures.
• To support the Quality Lead in audits, EQA, raising and closing non-conformities on Q-Pulse and reviewing documents.
• To support the Training Lead with the delivering of the training programme where appropriate.
• To report and remedy, within scope of practice, any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
• To report any risks, clinical and non-clinical accidents and incidents/potential incidents promptly to senior members of staff and using the DATIX system if appropriate and co-operate with any investigations undertaken.
• To support the Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) or other Trainee staff, and to assist qualified Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists in their roles.
• Package and send away samples for referral when required.
• Maintain the adequate storage of samples and their correct disposal at the appropriate time.
• Perform routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments and undertake corrective maintenance and troubleshooting when appropriate.
• Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations, following set protocols and procedures to prepare and quality control stained histology tissue slides.
• To progress to performing specimen transfer of RCPath Category A specimens following a period of training and competency assessment.
• Prepare reagents required for use in the laboratory and other related areas. Weekly/ Monthly stock control duties of laboratory supplies and reagents

Person Specification

Essential criteria

Essential

• oLiteracy and numeracy to at least GCSE or equivalent level evidenced (3)

Desirable

• oHas a science related degree (3)

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• oExperience of dealing with sensitive information evident (3)

Desirable

• oPrevious laboratory or NHS experience (3)

Skills and abilities

Essential

• oAbility to work both individually or as part of a team (3)
• oAbility to follow complex procedures is evidenced (3

Desirable

• oEvidence of strong communication skills (3)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

ROYAL HAMPSHIRE COUNTY HOSPITAL

ROMSEY ROAD

WINCHESTER

SO22 5DG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearper annum pro rata