Job summary
- Main area
- Cellular Pathology
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Working 5 days out of 7, including weekends on a rotational basis. Core hours 08:30 to 17:00 with an unpaid lunch break)
- Job ref
- 001-ACS060-0426
- Employer
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospital of Wales
- Town
- Cardiff
- Salary
- £28,819 - £31,626 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Associate Practitioner
Band 4
WHO WE ARE:
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so, we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.
We are a values-driven organisation and out goals will only be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:
· We are kind and caring
· We are respectful
· We have trust and integrity
· We take personal responsibility
OUR REGION:
Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
The Agenda for Change Pay Award for 2026/27 is effective from 1st April 2026.
Please note successful applicants with a start date from 1st April onwards the salary will be as per the 2026/27 pay award. For further detail the pay circular is available via this link https://www.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/afc-w-02-2026-pdf-pdf?ts=1773244958086
Job overview
Would you like to join a highly motivated, diverse, patient orientated laboratory team? If so, come and join the department of Cellular Pathology we are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, like-minded Associate Practitioner to support the delivery of services within our exciting University Health Board. If you enjoy laboratory work and have an interest in Cellular Pathology we would like to hear from you.
The Cellular Pathology Department provides a diagnostic service for the City of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and provides tertiary services including Neuropathology, Electron Microscopy and Foetal Pathology for the larger population of South East Wales and beyond. The laboratory is accredited to UKAS ISO 15189:2012.
Main duties of the job
Working with the Consultant Histopathologists and other members of the Operational Histology team to provide an accurate, and where possible, rapid diagnosis of specimens, which will improve the clinical treatment of patients, contributing to their welfare. Carrying out, under minimal supervision by qualified staff the routine tasks in the laboratory not requiring all the specialist skills or training of a BMS.
To perform basic clinical, technical or scientific laboratory tasks taking responsibility for the completion of tasks and applying the post holder’s specialist practical and theoretical knowledge in the areas of Cellular Pathology. This will involve the preparation and subsequent investigations and techniques of tissue/fluid samples, while ensuring that results are obtained in an efficient and timely manner.
Follows departmental protocols and procedures to undertake manual and automated techniques within the sections of the Cellular Pathology Department such as microtomy and staining.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Working for our organisation
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Higher National Certificate in Med Lab Sciences or an applied Biological Science or Foundation Degree or NVQ level 5 in science related subjects
Desirable criteria
- Science Degree
Experience
Essential criteria
- Sufficient laboratory experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience in Histopathology
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good laboratory techniques
- Excellent communication skills
- Good keyboard skills and computer literacy
- Excellent spoken and written English
- Ability to maintain concentration
Desirable criteria
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Special Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of laboratory computer systems
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Histopathology technology
- Knowledge of Laboratory procedures
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Organised
- Calm under pressure
- Able to work as part of a team
- Willing to learn
- Flexible
- Attention to detail
Desirable criteria
- Ability to multi task
- Ability to achieve set targets within a specified timeframe
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Abbie Mackie
- Job title
- Occupational Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02921844277
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