Associate Practitioner Cellular Pathology

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust; Bath; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Bath is seeking an Associated Practitioner to join their Cellular Pathology Department. This full-time role involves processing histology samples, supporting digital pathology activities, and supervising other staff. Applicants need NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualifications and recent lab experience, preferably in histology. This position offers valuable experience in an accredited environment, with opportunities for in-house training and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Recent experience in a Cellular Pathology laboratory is required.
• Competencies in histology, ideally including digital pathology are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Undertake standard biomedical investigations and non‑routine tests on histological tissues.
• Support the Digital Pathology Service.
• Supervise and train other Medical Laboratory Assistants.

Skills

Microtomy of histological tissues

Embedding histological tissues

Use of Cirdan Ultra AP (LIMS)

Experience of teaching others

Education

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Job Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, accurate and motivated Associated Practitioner to join our team in the Cellular Pathology Department. This is a new full-time permanent position based in the Histology section which processes 34,000 histology cases per annum, supports 30 clinico‑pathological meetings per month and provides a Cellular Pathology service to hospital clinicians and GPs in Bath, Wiltshire and Somerset. The Herschel Pathology Laboratories are situated in relatively new facilities; we are accredited by HCPC and hold UKAS accreditation.

Applicants will need to have recent experience of working in a Cellular Pathology laboratory, ideally with proven competencies in histology including digital pathology; however in‑house training will be provided as necessary.

Working as part of a team your main duties will include:

• Digital pathology support
• Microtomy
• Embedding
• Assisting at specimen dissection
• Supervision of Senior MLA staff
• Using the pathology computer system (Cirdan‑Ultra)
• Data inputting of histopathology samples
• Slide and block filing
• Stock control
• Assisting in the laboratory supporting our professional team

Applicants must have NVQ level 3 equivalent qualifications (e.g. 2 A‑levels); a degree‑level of education is not required. This post is not a Biomedical Scientist training post and is not suitable as such.

Main Duties

To perform a number of Healthcare scientific activities including undertaking standard biomedical investigations (tests) and non‑routine tests on a range of histological tissues e.g. microtomy, embedding and assisting at specimen dissection.

To support the Digital Pathology Service.

To maintain clinical records entering patient and technical data using the laboratory computer system (Ultra).

To supervise, organise and allocate work or train other Healthcare Science support workers (Medical Laboratory Assistants).

To follow Standard Operating Procedures and policies in area of work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 or equivalent

Desirable Qualifications

• Certificate in Supervisory skills

Knowledge

• Recent experience in Histology Lab at Band 3‑4 level
• Digital Pathology experience

Skills

• Microtomy of histological tissues
• Embedding histological tissues
• Use of Cirdan Ultra AP (LIMS)
• Experience of teaching others

Immigration and Visa

Please note – due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying.

Applicant Requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020. It will be necessary for a Disclosure submission to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to Download

• JD Band 4 AP (PDF, 616.3KB)
• Band 4 AP JD and Person Specification (PDF, 552.3KB)
• Join the RUH (PDF, 1.1MB)

Contact Details

Name: Nicola Stone
Job title: Chief BMS
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]