Associate Practitioner - Histopathology *Internal*

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33

NHS Discounts

Salary Sacrifice schemes

Vivup counselling service

Job summary

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Laboratory Associate Practitioner (band 4) with histology experience for a 12-month fixed term/maternity cover. You will support Biomedical Scientists and pathologists in preparing and processing tissue samples for histological diagnosis.

The role involves embedding tissue, microtomy, small biopsy tissue transfer, and adherence to protocols. Internal applicants only; DBS and visa considerations apply.

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 in laboratory practice or equivalent.
• Foundation degree in laboratory practices or equivalent.
• Experience in histology laboratory settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist Biomedical Scientists and pathologists.
• Process and embed tissue samples.
• Perform microtomy and tissue transfer per protocol.
• Maintain quality and safety standards.

Skills

Practical skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

NVQ 3 in laboratory practice

Foundation degree in laboratory practices

Tools

Microscopes

Analyzers

Sample processors

Centrifuges

Job description

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner - Histopathology *Internal*

The closing date is 27 October 2026

INTERNAL ONLY TO NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (NCIC) EMPLOYEES ONLY

We are looking for an Laboratory Associate Practitioner (band 4) with histology experience to join our team for a 12 months fixed term/maternity cover. The successful applicants will support Biomedical Scientists and pathologists in the preparation and processing of patient samples for histological diagnosis.

Main duties of the job

• Support biomedical scientists in the day to day activities of the laboratory
• Performing laboratory tests according to protocol
• Interpreting routine results and acting accordingly within agreed protocol.
• Embedding of tissue
• Microtomy of tissue
• Small Biopsy Tissue Transfer

About us

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies

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.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £20.00 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £26.50. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check: £41.00 + administration cost of £6.50 = £47.50. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

• 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
• NHS Discounts*
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
• Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 in laboratory practice or equivalent.
• Foundation degree in laboratory practices, or equivalent.

Knowledge and Experience

• Pathology duties at band 3.
• Supervision and training.
• Technical audit.
• Underpinning theory of pathology techniques.
• Laboratory health and safety, COSHH, and risk assessment.
• Equality issues.
• Use of specialist laboratory instruments including microscopes, analysers, sample processors, centrifuges

Skills and Aptitudes

• Practical laboratory skills e.g. specimen handling and processing, analysis and interpretation.
• Able to use initiative appropriately within a team.
• Ability to analyse work to determine compliance with standards.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to plan work to meet deadlines.
• Good hand/eye coordination.
• Ability to analyse and interpret laboratory results in accordance with protocol.

Personal Circumstances

• Meticulous.
• Motivation.
• Flexibility in working hours. Able to work extended hours or weekends.

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.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

£28,392 to £31,157 a yearPer Annum Pro Rata