Associate Practitioner Cellular Pathology

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an Associate Practitioner to join the Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Molecular Pathology service within the Cellular Pathology Directorate. The role involves day-to-day lab duties across ICC and Molecular Pathology, including specimen reception, microtomy, and preparing material for PCR/NGS analysis.

You will work closely with scientific and medical colleagues, maintain quality control, operate staining platforms, and support CPA

Qualifications

• Duties include specimen receipt and accessioning, microtomy, and tissue preparation for ICC, PCR and/or NGS.
• Operation of automated ICC staining platforms and routine quality control.
• Compliance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day delivery of diagnostic services across ICC and Molecular Pathology.
• Prepare material for PCR/NGS, perform ICC staining, IMF, FISH/CISH as required.
• Maintain equipment, reagents, and laboratory records; participate in CPA accreditation activities.

Skills

Immunocytochemistry

Molecular Pathology

PCR

NGS

ICC staining

Immunofluorescence

In situ hybridisation

FISH

CISH

H&E staining

Quality control

COSHH compliance

Tools

ICC staining platforms

Paraffin embedding

Cryotomy

Laboratory information systems

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories for an Associate Practitioner to join our Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Molecular Pathology service within the Cellular Pathology Directorate.

The successful candidate will support the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service, undertaking routine laboratory duties across both specialties. These will include specimen reception and accessing, microtomy, preparation of material for immunocytochemical and PCR and/or NGS analysis, operation and maintenance of automated ICC staining platforms, frozen section cutting, IMF staining, reagent preparation and basic quality control.

The post holder will work closely with scientific, medical and clerical colleagues to ensure safe, efficient and patient-focused service delivery.

The post holder will support routine duties across the Immunocytochemistry and Molecular Pathology service, working in accordance with departmental protocols and quality requirements. Duties will include specimen receipt and accessioning, correct patient identification, microtomy and preparation of tissue sections/scrolls for PCR and/or NGS analysis and ICC staining procedures, paraffin wax embedding, cryotomy, ICC, immunofluorescence (IMF), in situ hybridisation, (FISH and CISH) and routine H&E staining.

The role will also include operation and basic maintenance of laboratory equipment and automated staining platforms, preparation of solutions and reagents, basic quality control, safe waste disposal, monitoring and receipt of consumables and reagents, retrieval and filing of blocks and slides, and accurate use of laboratory information systems.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients., To participate in the routine work of the main histology laboratory in accordance with departmental protocols

To participate in some of the specialised areas of the department when required

To participate in flexible working arrangements

Undertake tasks required for CPA accreditation e.g. reviewing SOPs.

To handle chemicals and biological material in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols

In accordance with departmental protocols, deal with chemical and biological spillages

To participate in the department's appraisal scheme

Process enquiries appropriately referring to the appropriate personnel when required.

Attend and participate in Trust and departmental meetings

Be proactive in own professional development

Assist in the training of all groups of staff and to acquaint new staff with local practices.

Daily maintenance and use of equipment such as tissue processors, embedding centres, cover slipper, slide stainer and writer, microtomes and cryostats.

Disinfection of cut up and specimen reception areas

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.