University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Cellular Pathology IT technician and Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 10 June 2025

Job summary

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.

About us

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.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

27 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7139248-MAY25

Job locations

St Richards hospital

Spitalfield lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Job description

Job 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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

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

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

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

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

Desirable

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

Essential

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

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

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

Desirable

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

Essential

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

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards hospital

Spitalfield lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards hospital

Spitalfield lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)