Associate Practitioner | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Kent seeks a Healthcare Scientist Associate (HCSA) with expertise in Blood Sciences. You will manage lab operations under senior supervision, handle results, and ensure quality procedures. Candidates should hold a foundation degree or equivalent. This position offers a supportive work environment with comprehensive benefits, including at least 27 days of annual leave, NHS Pension Scheme membership, and more.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Practicing Healthcare Scientist Associate with specialist knowledge in Blood Sciences.
• Experience in managing telephone enquiries and issuing results.
• Ability to work under supervision and follow protocols.

Responsibilities

• Manage telephone enquiries from service users.
• Issue results and obtain data from reference labs.
• Maintain quality management systems under senior supervision.
• Participate in sample processing and management.

Skills

Knowledge of laboratory operation

Handling and processing samples

Stock management

Education

Foundation degree in relevant field

Job description

The post holder will be a practicing Healthcare Scientist Associate (HCSA) with specialist knowledge in Blood Sciences Discipline (Haematology/Clinical Biochemistry). Post holder will work under supervision of Healthcare Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS), utilising knowledge and skills gained through foundation degree or equivalent.

Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway IC.

Responsibilities

• Managing telephone enquiries from service users.
• Issue results via telephone, including obtaining results from reference laboratories on referred work, as directed by senior biomedical scientists.
• Knowledge of laboratory operation, dealing with unloading and loading of samples on laboratory equipment and centrifugation of samples.
• Wide knowledge of codes and tests carried out in laboratory.
• To assist in maintaining the departmental quality management system, under the guidance of senior members of staff.
• Contribute to changes to laboratory documentation, as deemed necessary, and have responsibility for documenting and implementing these changes in Blood Sciences Discipline (Haematology/ Clinical Biochemistry).
• To work to approved standards, standard operating procedures, and protocols, in a safe and efficient manner so that all work is performed efficiently, accurately and on time.
• To receive large volumes of samples, examine the electronic and paper requests, accurately select test profiles according to specimen type, collection conditions and clinical details and transfer specimen/request data from request forms into the laboratory computer system.
• To participate in the pre‑analytical, analytical and post‑analytical processing of specimens.
• To perform range of manual, semi‑automated and fully automated laboratory investigations, in a safe, efficient and timely manner, following standard operating procedures.
• To prepare and pack samples for dispatch to other laboratories ensuring packaging meets current regulations.
• To be aware of the policies and guidelines surrounding tests to be performed and know when to refer to specialist biomedical scientist.
• Responsible for stock management in the department for all sections.
• To participate in 24/7 shift system for support staff as required by the laboratory manager to ensure efficient delivery of Blood Sciences (Haematology/Clinical Biochemistry) service to all users.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further detail.

Please note, there is a post available at both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second‑best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south‑east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day‑care beds, diagnostic services (X‑ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working‑friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Benefits

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro‑rata for part‑time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits.
• Blue Light card eligibility.
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at a Standard Level.

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

This advert closes on Wednesday 19 Nov 2025.