Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

The busy, friendly and developing Department of Cellular Pathology has a vacancy for an Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (Band 4) to work alongside Medical Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists in assisting in the processing of Histopathology specimens.

As part of this role the successful candidate will assistingMedical Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists in the dissection of small tissue biopsies and large resection organs.

The other main elements of the role are the processing, embedding and microtomy of specialised tissue samples. Other elements of the role include conducting special stains, assisting with immunocytochemistry.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role include:

o Assisting in specimen dissection

o Processing and embedding of tissue blocks

o Microtomy of tissue blocks

o Non-Gynaecology sample preparation

o Assisting in Immunocytochemistry.

o Assisting the mortuary when required

Applicants must possess a Foundation degree, or equivalent and current or recent Histopathology laboratory experience is essential. Also required are good keyboard skills, good written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work under pressure, be a team worker, and to be able to concentrate for regular prolonged periods of time.

Core hours of work will be 08:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday and as this is an expanding service there will be a requirement to participate in a Saturday Morning rota.

The Trust and department support and encourages Continual Personal Development (CPD) and is committed to the training of its workforce.

The Trust and department supports and encourages Continual Personal Development(CPD) and is committed to the training of its workforce.

About us

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

408-25-455

Job locations

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park Road, Upton

Wirral

CH49 5PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see Job overview & attached Job description for further information about the Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner position available with WUTH.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see Job overview & attached Job description for further information about the Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner position available with WUTH.

Person Specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential

  • An Institute of Biomedical Science Support Staff Certificate of Achievement Level 2 or a Foundation degree in a Healthcare Science or higher
  • 5 GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics
  • A level or equivalent in science subjects
  • Significant Proven experience of working in a Histopathology Laboratory
  • Experience of routine Histology Microtomy and embedding Procedures
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Experience in Immunocytochemistry
  • Supervision and training of Biomedical Support workers under direction from registered Biomedical Scientists
  • Experience of sectioning Mega-Blocks and specialised tissues

Personel Attributes

Essential

  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Able to follow written methodologies or protocols
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
  • Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good problem solving skills and evaluate the need for assistance

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Undertaking all mandatory training and regular updates as specified by the Trust, and any other appropriate training to comply with future legislation and development of future Trust policies

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to problem solve
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team under supervision
  • Knowledge of laboratory health and safety legislation, policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of internal and external quality control in histopathology
  • Experience using a laboratory information management system

Desirable

  • Knowledge of ISO15189 standards
  • Experience in using Cerner Hospital system
  • Maintenance and problem solving of Histology equipment
  • Evidence of participation in auditing, document review and quality management
Person Specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential

  • An Institute of Biomedical Science Support Staff Certificate of Achievement Level 2 or a Foundation degree in a Healthcare Science or higher
  • 5 GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics
  • A level or equivalent in science subjects
  • Significant Proven experience of working in a Histopathology Laboratory
  • Experience of routine Histology Microtomy and embedding Procedures
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

  • Experience in Immunocytochemistry
  • Supervision and training of Biomedical Support workers under direction from registered Biomedical Scientists
  • Experience of sectioning Mega-Blocks and specialised tissues

Personel Attributes

Essential

  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Able to follow written methodologies or protocols
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
  • Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good problem solving skills and evaluate the need for assistance

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Undertaking all mandatory training and regular updates as specified by the Trust, and any other appropriate training to comply with future legislation and development of future Trust policies

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to problem solve
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team under supervision
  • Knowledge of laboratory health and safety legislation, policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of internal and external quality control in histopathology
  • Experience using a laboratory information management system

Desirable

  • Knowledge of ISO15189 standards
  • Experience in using Cerner Hospital system
  • Maintenance and problem solving of Histology equipment
  • Evidence of participation in auditing, document review and quality management

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

Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park Road, Upton

Wirral

CH49 5PE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park Road, Upton

Wirral

CH49 5PE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Histology Technical Manager

Helen Clarry

helen.clarry@nhs.net

01516047778

Details

Date posted

15 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

408-25-455

Job locations

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park Road, Upton

Wirral

CH49 5PE


Supporting documents

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