Associate Practitioner

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for an Associate Practitioner in Immunology & Immunogenetics at Southmead Hospital. The role involves laboratory sample handling, pre-analytical processing, and supporting scientific staff in diagnostic testing.

The post includes shift work (7am-3pm and 9am-5pm rotating) and requires teamwork within a busy lab environment. The department serves a large local population with a diagnostic service for Immunology and Immunogenetics.

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Working with samples and equipment in a laboratory environment
• IT and keyboard skills
• Be able to work as part of a team and under supervision

Responsibilities

• To receive and process samples prior to testing in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
• To rotate through sections of the laboratory as required and support BMS staff.
• To prepare and maintain analysers in accordance to protocols for routine use.
• To maintain your own laboratory competencies
• To participate in all aspects of quality control and quality assurance including audits as required.
• To be competent in the use of laboratory computer systems

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Lab experience

IT skills

Communication skills

Education

Diploma/HNC/HND in science

Relevant experience

Job description

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

Experience

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

Applications are invited from enthusiastic well-motivated individuals to work in the Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics within the grounds of Southmead Hospital. The laboratory is housed in a modern, purpose-built laboratory and the successful candidate will be joining a busy but friendly team. The Immunology department at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust provides a diagnostic service for the local community serving a local population of approximately 500,000 and a referral service throughout the Southwest. We are looking for an enthusiastic, well-motivated team player to join Immunology & Immunogenetics as an Associate Practitioner. The successful candidate will work supporting Scientific Staff in the preparation and analysis of samples in the Department. Please note the post will involve participation in a shift pattern 7am-3pm and 9am-5pm on a monthly rota. The hours and days may be subject to change depending on the operational requirements of the laboratory. This is not a HCPC trainee post.

For more information about working in pathology please view the video link below:

• https://youtu.be/cJiNgR-TwUY?si=H6kkwCD5FvSv6UpW

Main duties of the job

• To provide laboratory support for pre-analytical testing of samples
• To undertake diagnostic tests on blood and other body fluids.
• To operate, and maintain specialist laboratory equipment.
• To input sample data as part of pre-analytical testing
• Work in all sections of the department as required.

As this is a non-HCPC registered position the post holder will not authorise results

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• To receive and process samples prior to testing in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
• To rotate through sections of the laboratory as required and support BMS staff.
• To prepare and maintain analysers in accordance to protocols for routine use.
• To maintain your own laboratory competencies
• To participate in all aspects of quality control and quality assurance including audits as required.
• To be competent in the use of laboratory computer systems

Please See Job Description For More Information

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Diploma/HNC/HND in relevant science subject or relevant experience/equivalent level of knowledge

Desirable criteria

• Degree in relevant science subject.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Working with samples and equipment in a laboratory environment
• IT and keyboard skills

Desirable criteria

• Ability to work accurately with minimum supervision

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a UK pathology laboratory

Desirable criteria

• Experience of the use of pathology laboratory computer systems
• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice to pathology laboratories
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking
• Experience working within Immunology

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

• Be an effective team worker
• Be a positive, motivated and enthusiastic team member

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrate a commitment to personal development

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification, it is recommended that you apply promptly, before any closure of the vacancy.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take