Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner - Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 28 May 2025

Job summary

The Cellular Pathology clinical laboratory team provides a High Quality Specialist Diagnostic Service to support and improve the Health Care of the people of South of Tyne and Wear.

An opportunity has arisen for a number of Associate Practitioner positions. The successful candidates will have good interpersonal and organisational skills and work well under pressure in a team environment in order to achieve both the Trust and Departmental objectives. The posts will be based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.

This post is subject to DBS (Police Bureau) STANDARD Disclosure

Anyone applying for a position which involves a regulated activity will require an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and that the disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children or working with adults or both.

Informal enquiries welcomed from Mrs Janet Rodgers, on (0191) 445 6572 e-mail: janet.rodgers@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

The job will include sample preparation, assistance in cut-up, embedding and microtomy and the use of automated platforms for sample tracking, staining and digital imaging.

You will also be involved in the preparation of biological fluids and data input into the laboratory computer system. Experience in Cellular pathology is essential but In-house training will be given to achieve competency.

The post holder will follow the In-house competency training program and with supervision by qualified staff will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on various tissue and biological samples that will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases in the investigation of pathological processes.

The candidate if required will also work towards the completion of the IBMS registration portfolio.

The successful candidate must meet ALL of the essential criteria in the job description.

The post will be on Gateshead Health NHS Trust terms and conditions of employment. Full participation in the relevant Department's extended working day and the out of hours service is a mandatory requirement of the post.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-6708309-B

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The job will include sample preparation, assistance in cut-up, embedding and microtomy and the use of automated platforms for sample tracking, staining and digital imaging.

You will also be involved in the preparation of biological fluids and data input into the laboratory computer system. Experience in Cellular pathology is essential but In-house training will be given to achieve competency.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The job will include sample preparation, assistance in cut-up, embedding and microtomy and the use of automated platforms for sample tracking, staining and digital imaging.

You will also be involved in the preparation of biological fluids and data input into the laboratory computer system. Experience in Cellular pathology is essential but In-house training will be given to achieve competency.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Studying for or have attained an appropriate qualification. Preferably a foundation degree in Biomedical Sciences or the First year of an approved Biomedical sciences degree or NVQ3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent level qualification in a relevant topic as a minimum.

Training

Essential

  • Undertake a structured training and development programme to successfully acquire core competencies.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Studying for or have attained an appropriate qualification. Preferably a foundation degree in Biomedical Sciences or the First year of an approved Biomedical sciences degree or NVQ3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or equivalent level qualification in a relevant topic as a minimum.

Training

Essential

  • Undertake a structured training and development programme to successfully acquire core competencies.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cellular Pathology Manager

Janet Rodgers

janet.rodgers@nhs.net

01914456572

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-6708309-B

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Supporting documents

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