Biomedical Science Associate Practitioner

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Histopathology at Royal Hallamshire Hospital is recruiting Associate Practitioners to join the laboratory team in a busy pathology service. You will be involved in specimen dissection, preparation and processing, plus tinctorial and immunohistochemical staining, with data entry and equipment operation as part of daily duties.

Participation in an expanded working pattern is expected (8am–8pm, Monday–Friday, with Weekend/Bank Holiday rotas).

Qualifications

• Level 4 qualification (e.g. NVQ, HNC, BTEC, Apprenticeship) or IBMS Certificate of Achievement (Part II) plus extensive lab experience
• Foundation Degree relevant to the role
• Experience with a range of laboratory techniques

Responsibilities

• Operate histology equipment safely and accurately
• Embed surgical specimens into paraffin wax
• Section paraffin blocks and perform tinctorial staining
• Perform immunohistochemistry techniques and photograph specimens
• Handle reagents and dispose of chemicals per COSHH

Skills

Keyboard & IT skills

Health & Safety awareness

Effective communication

Prioritisation & planning

Education

Level 4 qualification or IBMS cert + lab experience

Foundation degree

Job description

Job summary

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) Pathology Partnership fully integrates the pathology services delivered on behalf of the Partner Trusts within the Integrated Care System (ICS) footprint; Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

The Pathology Partnership will provide the best possible service for patients and clinicians; improving health outcomes, delivering quality and efficiency benefits and ensuring a sustainable workforce for the longer term.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Department of Histopathology at the SYB Pathology Royal Hallamshire Hospital site. We are looking to recruit Associate Practitioners to join our laboratory team.

The successful candidates will be required to undertake roles in specimen dissection, specimen preparation and processing in the main laboratory, tinctorial and immunohistochemical staining methods, as well as a range of other duties including computer data entry and operation of laboratory equipment.

Participation in the planned expansion to working hours; 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, Weekend and Bank Holiday working rotas is expected.

Main duties of the job

• Operate a wide range of histology equipment safely and accurately.
• Perform routine histological techniques.
• Embedding of surgical specimens into paraffin wax according to protocol.
• Section paraffin material according to protocol.
• Perform and understand the application of a variety of tinctorial staining techniques.
• Perform routine immunohistochemistry techniques.
• Orientate and photograph specimens and archive the images.
• Safely handle reagents required for histological techniques, including formalin.
• Prepare solutions according to SOP, adhere to COSHH regulations including safe disposal of chemicals/ reagent.

About us

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

STHFT operates with a budget of £1.2 bn, has a workforce of over 18,500 employees, covers five hospital sites, provides care from over forty community settings, and has an excellent reputation for research.

As an organisation we value and respect our staff and the community we serve. We provide excellent staff benefits; this includes commitment to professional development but also many initiatives to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology Partnership are invested in training, developing, and supporting staff in all aspects including academic courses from certificates of achievement, registration, specialist and higher specialist IBMS portfolios, apprenticeships and leadership and management qualifications.

We pride ourselves in enabling opportunity across all our sites to develop staff and provide a strong and sustained service for the future.

Details

Date posted: 19 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 4

Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa/ pro rata for part time staff

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 190-3016-DIR

Job locations: Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 4 qualification e.g. NVQ, HNC, BTEC, Apprenticeship or IBMS Certificate of Achievement (Part II) plus extensive laboratory experience Or Foundation Level Degree

Desirable

• Other relevant courses with regards to H&S, supervision, quality or training

Experience

Essential

• Experience with a range of laboratory techniques

Desirable

• Discipline specific NHS laboratory experience

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Keyboard and basic IT skills
• Have an awareness of Health & Safety issues
• Effective Communication skills, written and oral

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work

Values and Behaviours (PROUD)

Essential

• Patients first - Understanding of how laboratory services are part of the patient pathway and impact on patient care
• Respectful - Developed interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels
• Ownership - Understand the need to accept responsibility for own actions and ensure accuracy and attention to detail
• Unity - Ability to work as part of a team
• Delivery - Ability to work within defined timescales

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Contact: Deputy Lab Manager David Leff, [e-mail], 01142713111

Employer details

Employer name: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Employer's website: https://www.sth.nhs.uk

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