Cellular Pathology IT technician and Associate Practitioner

Transformationunitgm; Chichester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Cellular Pathology IT Technician and Associate Practitioner to join their dynamic team at St Richards Hospital in Chichester. This Band 5 role offers an opportunity to contribute to high-quality pathology services while engaging in a supportive and innovative working environment. With responsibilities spanning technical laboratory work and IT support tasks, this position is ideal for candidates with a strong foundation in laboratory procedures and IT capabilities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in an NHS laboratory.
• Ability to troubleshoot laboratory equipment and software issues efficiently.
• Demonstrable ability to support IT queries and extract data from LIMS.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain IT systems within the Cellular Pathology department.
• Assist with routine paraffin wax embedding and sectioning.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 and participate in training of junior personnel.

Skills

Numeracy

Communication

Teamwork

IT skills

Technical expertise

Education

BTEC National Diploma or Foundation Degree

GCSE Grade C or higher in English and Numeracy

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation (Cerebro)

Pathology LIMS (winpath)

Quality Management System (Q-Pulse)

Digital Pathology (use of Sectra)

Job description

Main area Cellular pathology Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (the department operates a 9-day working fortnight. The laboratory at St Richards hospital is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and the laboratory at Worthing hospital is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Shifts are required to cover all opening hours and across both sites on a rotational basis) Job ref 279-7139248-MAY25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richards hospital Town Chichester Salary £31,049 - £37,796 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 10/06/2025 23:59

Cellular Pathology IT technician and Associate Practitioner

Band 5

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory (main base St Richards Hospital, Chichester) within the newly formed University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust currently deals with approximately 35,000 – 40,000 Histology specimens from across the West Sussex including St Richards Hospital, Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham.

In addition to routine Histology samples the department undertakes work in Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Special Stains, , Non-Gynae Diagnostic Cytology, preparation of material for molecular testing and Digital Pathology. The main laboratory at St Richards Hospital is currently open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, whilst the Worthing Hospital laboratory is open from 8am to 5pm, also Monday to Friday. There is no direct laboratory cover at Southlands Hospital.

Main duties of the job

The individuals’ key responsibilities will include technical responsibilities in the histology laboratory including undertaking routine paraffin wax embedding, sectioning and H&E staining – training will be provided, but the successful candidate will be expected to complete appropriate competencies within a reasonable time period as directed by the Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist Training Lead Band 7.

The successful candidate will need to be able to undertake manual & automated laboratory investigations as required; perform routine maintenance on instrumentation and undertake first line troubleshooting of malfunctions; use appropriate EQA & IQC; work to ensure ongoing compliance with UKAS ISO 15189, audits, etc.; contribute to the preparation of SOPs; under supervision participate in the training of new & junior personnel; and, help evaluate new equipment & methodologies as directed by the Lead Biomedical Scientist.

Additionally, the post holder will be the first line of support for all IT queries, application changes/updates, data quality issues and data extracts for Cellular Pathology at St Richards and Worthing hospital. The individual will be expected to apply judgement and utilise skills and IT knowledge to help provide a high quality and timely pathology result service. As this is a non-HCPC registered position the post holder will not authorise actual results, nor take responsibility for results issued.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provision of comprehensive, high quality IT support in Cellular Pathology to the Consultant Histopathologists, Specialist Registrars, Associate Specialists, Lead & Head Biomedical Scientist and Laboratory & Administrative personnel to help deliver a high quality and timely result service.

To liaise with Pathology IM&T Manager, Trust IT department and CSU support for any hardware / network related queries for Cellular Pathology

To utilise knowledge of electronic data processing, statistical analysis and computer capabilities to extract and format information from the LIMS and associated systems for management purposes, as and when required.

To be responsible for the day-to-day management of the departmental information technology covering both the Worthing Hospital and St Richard Hospital.

To Deputise for the Cellular Pathology Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist IT Lead

To communicate effectively across the multi-disciplinary workforce that interact with the Cellular Pathology department, including Consultants, Registrars, Laboratory Personnel, Mortuary Personnel, House Officers, Service Managers, Ward Managers, Nursing Staff, MDT Coordinators and any other appropriate personnel.

Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details.

Person specification

Skills

• Good level of Numeracy and English, ideally GCSE Grade C or higher or equivalent.
• Expertise within specialism, underpinned by theory acquired through BTEC National Diploma, or Foundation Degree, or equivalent award including IBMS Certificates, etc., or equivalent relevant experience of IT.
• Experience of discipline specific procedures in a NHS laboratory
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate well – both written & oral.
• Demonstrable abilities to use IT, including Windows-based software – in particular Word and Excel.
• Demonstrable computer keyboard skills to a high standard.
• Working knowledge of Computer hardware, software and networking
• Experience using relevant laboratory instrumentation utilised within the department, currently Cerebro.
• Experience in Pathology LIMS (winpath)
• Experience in Quality Management System (Q-Pulse)
• Experience in Digital Pathology (use of Sectra)

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria.For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.