Associate Practitioners

North West London Pathology; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking an Associate Practitioner to perform various laboratory tasks within the Microbiology department. Candidates should have prior experience in a Microbiology laboratory and exceptional attention to detail. The role requires working a 7-day shift pattern of 37.5 hours per week. Join us in delivering quality services to patients with our innovative, patient-focused team.

Qualifications

• Previous work experience in a Microbiology laboratory.
• Ability to evidence the knowledge and competencies during the interview.
• Ability to work across a 7-day pattern, totaling 37.5 hours a week.

Responsibilities

• Run various laboratory analysers including Sedimax, DS2, and Bactec FX.
• Prepare samples and quality control material, while managing waste.
• Assist with booking in specimens and training less experienced staff.

Skills

Attention to detail

Experience with laboratory analysers

Ability to work in a team

Job description

As an Associate Practitioner, you will be expected to carry out a variety of technical tasks that require the experience of more complex skills within the laboratory to support the scientific staff.

Responsibilities

• Experience in running the following laboratory analysers is desirable: Sedimax, DS2, Cepheid, Serosep Enteric Bio and Bactec FX and Mast Urisystem.
• Other laboratory tasks such as set up of samples, preparation of quality control material, recording of QC data and waste management.
• Assist within Specimen Reception areas of the laboratory with triage, booking in and problem solving, and training of less experienced staff.

Qualifications

• Previous work experience in a Microbiology laboratory and completion of all relevant training and competency documentation is essential.
• Able to evidence the knowledge, skills and competencies you have gained when coming to interview.
• High attention to detail is a critical requirement of this post.
• Required to work across a 7 day working pattern, 37.5 hours/week.

Working for our organisation

The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.

For 2026, the following start dates are available once you have completed all your pre-employment checks:

• Monday 5 January 2026
• Monday 2 February 2026
• Monday 2 March 2026
• Monday 13 April 2026
• Monday 11 May 2026
• Monday 1 June 2026
• Monday 6 July 2026
• Monday 3 August 2026

Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.

NWLP Overview

North West London Pathology (NWLP) is an NHS pathology partnership joint venture between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NWLP is modelled as a shared services organisation jointly owned by the three Trusts. The organisation is hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and as the legal entity for NWLP our staff are employed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

NWLP is based on a 'hub and spoke' structure; the majority of routine, specialist and non-urgent activity is centralised at our hub site at Charing Cross Hospital. Urgent tests required for immediate patient management and treatment are performed in 24/7 Essential Service Laboratories based on-site within the seven hospital sites in the group.

The partnership has created an innovative and sustainable service that delivers outstanding quality to users and patients alike. This innovative approach allows the service to better manage demand, standardise operations, improve value for money and make use of state-of-the-art technology.

Our values are to be patient-focused, collaborative, expert and caring.

Job Overview

North West London Pathology (NWLP) is a new partnership between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust and the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust. The partnership represents a new model for delivering pathology testing in a modern, efficient operation that manages 25 million tests per year.

We are offering this fantastic opportunity to Band 3 MLAs working within Microbiology who have a desire to progress further within this field. We are looking for individuals who are self-motivated and committed to being part of a team that delivers a quality service to patients.