North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The pathology departments at NTH and STH are working collaboratively to develop a joint service with services being delivered on both hospital sites. This will require cross site working as appropriate

An exciting opportunity has arisen for 2 Associate Practitioner's

One post for 37.5 hours per week and an additional post at 27 hours per week

Associate Practitioners provide a support function to Biomedical Scientists by performing a range of routine laboratory techniques according to protocols.

A Foundation Degree (Healthcare Practice) or equivalent is essential as is a basic understanding of human biology and medical terminology and proven experience of working in a laboratory.

Good communications skills, teamwork and an aptitude for problem solving are essential, as is a flexible attitude to work and willingness to adapt to changes in working practice.

The department has full UKAS accreditation and IBMS training approval. CPD is actively encouraged. The department operates between 07.00 - 18.00. Monday to Friday with a 1 in 5 Saturday rota. The post holder is expected to work flexibly within these hours, with the possibility of extended working in the future.

Please note - This post may close once sufficient applications are received

Main duties of the job

Under direction of the Pathology Management Team and Cellular Pathology Senior Biomedical Scientist(s), the post holder will be required to provide a support function to Biomedical Scientists by performing a range of routine laboratory tasks according to protocols. In addition, the post holder will be required to use practical skills to carry out tasks associated with analysis which are more advanced than those of a Medical Laboratory Assistant. You will have the skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to acquire technical knowledge including specialised knowledge of complex instruments and test principles to support BMS staff.

About us

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our main priority is, and always will be, to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

We want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is very important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the month, colleague recognition - a note of thanks, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards.

We actively encourage staff involvement with staff networking events and staff survey

"Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool"

Details

Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £26,530 - £29,114 pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

345-PAT7312494

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Competently deal with all sample types received into the department including those which may carry transmissible infection risks and follow the appropriate protocols for handling such specimens

Triage specimens ensuring urgent specimens are prioritised and inadequate and mis-labelled specimens are identified in accordance with departmental policies and procedures

Accurately record specimen dissection descriptions and subsequent update of computerised patient records

Participate in the storing, retrieving and disposal of specimens and specimen records in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures

Undertake house-keeping duties as necessary including cleaning, basic maintenance of equipment and support the maintenance of stock levels

Support dispatch of samples to other laboratories which may have complex requirements

Job description

Job responsibilities

Competently deal with all sample types received into the department including those which may carry transmissible infection risks and follow the appropriate protocols for handling such specimens

Triage specimens ensuring urgent specimens are prioritised and inadequate and mis-labelled specimens are identified in accordance with departmental policies and procedures

Accurately record specimen dissection descriptions and subsequent update of computerised patient records

Participate in the storing, retrieving and disposal of specimens and specimen records in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures

Undertake house-keeping duties as necessary including cleaning, basic maintenance of equipment and support the maintenance of stock levels

Support dispatch of samples to other laboratories which may have complex requirements

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • IBMS Cert Part II or Foundation Degree or (Healthcare Practice) or evidenced equivalent

Desirable

  • IT based qualification

Knowldge and Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of team working
  • Evidence of good keyboard / computer skills
  • Able to work with Human tissue
  • Familiar with Quality management systems

Desirable

  • Familiar with LEAN principles
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and safety measures associated with hazardous chemicals and potentially infected tissue and body fluids

Experience

Essential

  • Proven laboratory experience
  • Can demonstrate experience of working within guidelines / policies
  • oCan work with samples which by their nature are sensitive and emotive retaining a detached professional manner

Desirable

  • Experience in a NHS Cellular pathology

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Enthusiastic and forward looking
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Ability to work effectively as an individual or part of a team
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • IBMS Cert Part II or Foundation Degree or (Healthcare Practice) or evidenced equivalent

Desirable

  • IT based qualification

Knowldge and Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of team working
  • Evidence of good keyboard / computer skills
  • Able to work with Human tissue
  • Familiar with Quality management systems

Desirable

  • Familiar with LEAN principles
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation and safety measures associated with hazardous chemicals and potentially infected tissue and body fluids

Experience

Essential

  • Proven laboratory experience
  • Can demonstrate experience of working within guidelines / policies
  • oCan work with samples which by their nature are sensitive and emotive retaining a detached professional manner

Desirable

  • Experience in a NHS Cellular pathology

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Enthusiastic and forward looking
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Ability to work effectively as an individual or part of a team

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

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Biomedical Scientist

Anu Ahitan

anu.ahitan@nhs.net

01642624446

Details

Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £26,530 - £29,114 pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

345-PAT7312494

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Supporting documents

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