Associate Practitioner - Cellular Pathology

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Chichester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an Associate Practitioner in Cellular Pathology to perform essential laboratory tasks including specimen management, equipment maintenance, and compliance with health and safety standards. The ideal candidate should have a relevant foundation degree, strong organizational skills, and experience in NHS laboratory settings. This full-time role based in Chichester offers diverse responsibilities and opportunities for growth, emphasizing inclusivity and support for all staff.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Diversity initiatives

Wellbeing program

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree, BTEC Higher National Diploma or equivalent award, including IBMS Certificates.
• Good level of Numeracy and English, ideally GCSE Grade C or higher.
• Experience in a NHS discipline specific laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance of all laboratory equipment.
• Support specimen data entry and undertaking routine paraffin wax embedding.
• Manage consumable needs of the department including stock management.

Skills

Numeracy

Communication

Teamwork

Organizational Skills

Education

Foundation Degree or BTEC Higher National Diploma

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Associate Practitioner - Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 06 January 2026

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory (main base St Richards Hospital, Chichester, with spoke laboratory at Worthing hospital) within UHSusden NHS Foundation Trust currently deals with approximately 35,000 - 40,000 Histology specimens from across the West Sussex including St Richards Hospital, Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham.

In addition to routine Histology samples the department undertakes work in Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Special Stains, Non-Gynae Diagnostic Cytology, and Digital Pathology. The main laboratory at St Richards Hospital is currently open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, whilst the Worthing Hospital laboratory is open from 8am to 5pm, also Monday to Friday. There is no direct laboratory cover at Southlands Hospital.

The laboratory at St Richards hospital is open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday. The laboratory at Worthing is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The main base is St Richards hospital, however, there is a requirement to work at Worthing hospital on a rotational basis. The department currently operates on a 9-day working fortnight across these hours.

Main duties of the job

The individuals’ key responsibilities will include routine maintenance of all equipment, specimen data entry, supporting cut up, undertaking routine paraffin wax embedding, sectioning and H&E staining.

Associate Practitioners are also delegated responsibility for managing the consumable needs of the department, including placing orders and stock management, by the Lead Biomedical Scientist.

The post holder will be expected to work closely with the departmental Health and Safety and Quality officers, ensuring the laboratory is compliant with both UKAS and HSE standards.

Full training will be provided, but the successful candidate will be expected to complete appropriate competencies within a reasonable time period as directed by the departmental training officer.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

To participate in the provision of a specialised, diagnostic Pathology service contributing to the clinical care of the patient, to enable diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment given.

To work as part of a team in the Cellular Pathology Department performing a wide range of routine and non-routine clinical, scientific or technical procedures usually under the direction of an appropriately regulated practitioner.

The individual will be expected to apply judgement, and utilise skills and scientific knowledge, to provide a high quality and timely result service.

As a non-HCPC registered position the post holder will not authorise results, nor take responsibility for results issued.

See job description for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Skills

• Foundation Degree, BTEC Higher National Diploma or equivalent award, including IBMS Certificates, etc.
• Good level of Numeracy and English, ideally GCSE Grade C or higher or equivalent
• Experience working in a NHS discipline specific laboratory
• Proven ability to organise and manage personal responsibilities with referral to senior staff when required in a timely and efficient manner.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team

People Management & Development

• Demonstrable ability to communicate well - both written & oral.
• Demonstrable ability to relate to colleagues in an effective & positive manner on routine matters.
• Ability to recognise and monitor parameters of quality, accuracy and imprecision according to laboratory standard operating procedures.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise and train subordinate staff
• Demonstrate patient First principles
• Experience of participating in the testing of equipment.
• Experience of conducting audits
• Proven ability in managing the consumable needs of the section in conjunction with the Head BMS, placing orders where appropriate
• Flexible approach

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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 Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)