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Job summary

Main area
Cellular Pathology
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (One full time (37.5 hours per week) and a part time post (22.5 hours per week))
Job ref
435-D133-25
Employer
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital
Town
Blackburn
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum, pro rata for part time
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
31/10/2025

Employer heading

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Associate Practitioner (Cellular Pathology)

Band 4

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care.  We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic person with previous NHS experience in histology (e.g. band 2/3 MLA) to join our busy Cellular Pathology service as an Associate Practitioner.

There are 2 permanent posts - one full time (37.5 hours per week) and a part time post (22.5 hours per week).

The department handles over 53,000 Histology samples per annum, with a high proportion of complex cases including Breast, Head and Neck, Hepatobiliary and Urology. 

You will have highly developed skills for the manipulation of samples and equipment associated with histology and cytology techniques.

Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we may use this to contact you regarding your application.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

Main duties of the job

The role involves preparing tissue and fluid samples for diagnosis by pathologists, and referring samples to external laboratories for diagnosis or expert opinion.

You must possess a Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent or the IBMS Biomedical Science Support Staff Certificate of Achievement Part II. 

Working for our organisation

At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 7,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is currently working collaboratively with 3 other local Trusts as part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Pathology Collaboration, in  a bid to secure our services for the future.

Whilst this role is currently based here at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, this may not be the case in the future and  the service may be relocated to another hospital or an off-site location.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Embedding and microtomy of tissues for histological analysis.
  • Using and maintaining automated stainers and tissue processors
  • Assisting Consultant/BMS staff with tissue dissection, including the digital dictation system.
  • Retrieving slides in preparation for MDTs
  • Assisting with the sending of material to external services.
  • Limited clerical role
  • Preparation of non-gynae cytology samples may be considered, after initial training

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent
  • Numerate and Literate with a good general and basic scientific education
Desirable criteria
  • ECDL, typing or other administrative qualification e.g. NVQ

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in NHS Pathology
  • Experience of quality management systems
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in an NHS Cellular Pathology department

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of routine cellular pathology practices
  • Ability to follow protocols and health and safety procedures
  • Accurate with prolonged concentration
Desirable criteria
  • Embedding, Microtomy or sample preparation experience
  • Health, safety and risk awareness.

Personal attributes

Essential criteria
  • Able to work well in a team and be supportive of team members.
  • Ability to manage priorities under pressure.
  • Able to be flexible in working patterns.
Desirable criteria
  • Keen to learn and develop.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident committedStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Craig Rogers
Job title
Lead Biomedical Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01254 732438
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