Associate Practitioner Andrology

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; Grimsby; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Andrology Associate Practitioner for the Path Links Pathology service at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby. The role focuses on fertility testing and post-vasectomy analysis, with training and progression toward ARCS certification if desired.

The post is part-time and permanent, offering involvement in a 24-hour pathology service, with support for continuing professional development and NHS-based pathways.

Qualifications

• Relevant Healthcare Science Diploma, or comparable demonstrable occupational experience via NVQ 3 or two science A levels.
• Experience in an NHS Pathology Laboratory.
• IT Skills and familiarity with laboratory data systems.
• Experience in Microscopy is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Meet patients and partners to receive specimens for fertility testing and post-vasectomy testing.
• Prepare samples for processing, including centrifugation where needed.
• Identify and label samples; address missing or mislabeled specimens.
• Enter patient and specimen data into laboratory data systems and collect quality data.
• Process semen specimens under indirect supervision of a Biomedical Scientist.
• Perform microscopic analyses of seminal fluid to assess fertility parameters per WHO guidelines.
• Request retests and manage recalls of results when needed.

Skills

IT Skills

Microscopy knowledge

Education

Relevant Healthcare Science Diploma

NVQ 3 or two science A levels

Experience in NHS Pathology Laboratory

IT Skills

Experience in Microscopy

Tools

Job description

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner Andrology

The closing date is 24 November 2026

Path Links is a networked Pathology Service offering a wide range of diagnostic investigations on tissue, blood, and fluid samples performed by a multidisciplinary Pathology team within the network delivering an effective, high quality and responsive 24hr services to patients, Clinicians and General Practitioners.

All Path Links laboratories work to national United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards. Regular assessments by external auditors from UKAS assess laboratory compliance with the published standards and ensure that the service provided meets the needs and requirements of users. A fundamental component of the Path Links quality framework is the application and integration of Lean principles, together with other continuous improvement tools, to all aspects of service provision across the organisation.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the successful applicant to join our Andrology team and train as an Andrology Associate Practitioner.

This is a very interesting and niche area of pathology.

Main duties of the job

An Andrology Associate Practitioner is a member of an Andrology team which is part of the wider Blood Sciences team working within the Path Links Pathology service. They are required to examine semen samples to ascertain fertility status, and post vasectomy samples for the presence or absence of sperm.

Delegated work and duties will be arranged and performed under the indirect supervision of a State Registered Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner utilising Standard Operating Procedures.

A period of "in house " training, practical assessment of competency, plus continuing acceptable performance in annual competency assessments and National External Quality Control are all required to continue to practice.

We are happy to support the successful candidate to complete their certificate of competence in diagnostic semen analysis from the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) if they wish. This would mean they were a fully qualified andrology practitioner at the end of the contract and make them a very desirable candidate to future employers. In addition to this, skills and experience gained in the role would be transferable to other laboratory roles.

We are also happy to support other qualifications e.g. IBMS registration portfolio if the successful candidate holds a biomedical science degree.

About us

Path Links is a networked Pathology service working within Boston, Lincoln, Grantham, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals. We are part of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust which covers Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals.

We encourage all our staff to innovate and adopt 'best practice' so we can deliver excellent care to our patients. We ask staff to live our values; kindness, courage and respect. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. You could be one of them.

To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://joinnlag.co.uk/

Should we receive a high volume of applications for this vacancy, the advert may be closed earlier than stated. To view a full job description and person specification please see attachments on this advert.

In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.

"We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers".

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.

Job responsibilities

Meeting with patients and partners to take receipt of specimens for fertility testing and post vasectomy testing, ensuring that any problems are handled and communicated in a sensitive manner, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.

Preparation of samples for processing, including use of centrifuges where appropriate.

Sample identification and numbering of andrology samples including investigation of missing / lost or mislabeled samples.

Entry of patient & specimen data onto laboratory data systems. To assist in the collection of quality data as required.

The processing of semen specimens under the indirect supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist (BMS)

Using a microscope, to undertake subjective analytical screening of seminal fluid samples adhering to the latest WHO guidelines. This will include initial identification of sperm abnormalities, sperm counts, and analysis of fertility parameters for subsequent authorisation by BMS or Consultant staff.

The post holder will have responsibility, where circumstances dictate, to request retests of samples, the recall of sample results, to analyse the samples and produce test reports, which inform future diagnosis and clinical pathways.

After a post qualification period of at least 12 months and following further assessment, to examine External Quality Control samples as part of a National Quality assurance scheme).

Maintain a minimum examination rate of 500 samples per annum.

Use of laboratory equipment, for example staining machines, use of calibrated equipment to make accurate measurements, etc. as appropriate.

Record keeping, including recording the temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, water baths, incubators etc. where appropriate.

Equipment checks, including periodic maintenance and checking of equipment such as calibrated pipettes, and staining machines ensuring that they meet laboratory standards.

The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the review of Andrology working procedures and proactively proposing changes to both Andrology policies and SOPs to improve the effectiveness of the department and services to its users.

Stock management, including the recording of reagent stocks as they are delivered into the laboratory, and advising appropriate personnel when stock levels are low.

Chemical reagent preparation and replacement as appropriate to the department.

Pre-acceptance testing of reagents and consumables associated with andrology testing.

Dealing with telephone enquiries and booking of appointments. To provide advice to patients and service users on patient preparation requirements prior to sample provision.

Filing of laboratory requests, completed samples or microscope slides, and laboratory reports from reference laboratories.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Relevant Healthcare Science Diploma, or comparable demonstrable occupational experience attained through a combination of: NVQ 3 (or equivalent) or two science A levels at grade A-C.
• Experience in an NHS Pathology Laboratory
• IT Skills
• Experience in Microscopy

Occupational Experience

• Previous science based roles
• Previous experience in customer facing roles
• Previous laboratory experience
• Previous NHS experience

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.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby

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

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

208-D4429A-26-1

Job locations

Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby