Associate Practitioner

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for an Associate Practitioner to join the Cellular Pathology team. The post offers a permanent contract with the opportunity to rotate across areas and engage in a digitisation project as the service advances.

The role involves assisting with processing all specimen types, learning new techniques, and working within a busy, multidisciplinary lab.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a clinical laboratory setting and handling specimens.
• Familiarity with electronic data entry and basic data management.
• Understanding of Standard Operating Procedures and confidentiality in a pathology setting.
• Willingness to learn and develop within a diagnostic laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Assist with processing all specimen types in Cellular Pathology.
• Support the full range of services and rotate across areas as needed.
• Learn latest techniques and equipment while maintaining traditional methods.
• Communicate effectively within a large team and maintain attention to detail.
• Work in a varying shift pattern including some weekend hours as required.

Skills

Clinical laboratory experience

Electronic data handling

SOP understanding

Confidentiality

Willingness to learn

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health (Pathology Support Worker) leading to Foundation Degree in Health Sciences or equivalent

GCSE level qualifications including English, Maths and a science subject

Job description

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 03 November 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trustis delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Contract Type: Permanent

Under current Home Office rules, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

Cellular Pathology invites applications for the post of Associate Practitioner to join their friendly team.

An excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and suitably experienced individual supporting the full range of services, with the opportunity to rotate and work in a number of areas within Cellular Pathology.

We receive ~51,000 Histology & Cytology requests annually.

The department supports ROSE clinics, a Mohs service, a comprehensive research histopathology service & there is scanning equipment to support the digital agenda.

The post-holder will be encouraged to participate in this project as we progress to a fully digitised pathology service. We have recently rolled-out a new laboratory information management system.

The laboratory is IBMS approved for training, is UKAS accredited & CPD is actively encouraged.

We would also welcome applications from final year students undertaking an IBMS accredited degree that would be looking to secure a role within a diagnostic laboratory.

There may also be the opportunity, subject to capacity & funding, to complete the IBMS Certificate of Competence leading to HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

You will be required to assist and be involved with the processing all types of specimen presented to the Cellular Pathology Department for analysis, thereby supporting the provision of accurate and timely diagnoses & the production of appropriate analytical data.

You will be required to become skilled in the latest techniques and equipment in conjunction with traditional methods of investigation to meet the requirements of the role.

You will need to be an excellent communicator & be able to work effectively as part of large team.

You will need to have an excellent attention to detail & possess good manual dexterity.

You will need to be able to prioritise workload & adjust to accommodate unexpected events &/or changes in demands

Experience of working in a Cellular Pathology laboratory, particularly undertaking microtomy, is desirable

The department operates 6am-7pm Mon-Fri & Sat 7am-5pm & therefore some Saturday working is required. The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in the rotational Bank Holiday service-approx. 1 per annum, currently not Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day or Good Friday.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.

Trust Values

• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• NVQ Level 3 in Health (Pathology Support Worker) leading to Foundation Degree in Health Sciences or equivalent level of knowledge/ experience
• GCSE level qualifications, including English language, maths and a science subject or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience in clinical laboratory
• Experience with handling electronic data and fluent keyboard skills
• Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.
• Ability to handle clinical samples
• Understand the importance of confidentiality
• Conscientious, methodical approach to duties
• Showing willingness to learn and improve
• Understanding of working to Standard Operating Procedures
• Previous experience of working within a histopathology laboratory
• Previous experience of undertaking microtomy within a medical laboratory
• Capability to plan over short, medium and long term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust