Associate Practitioner

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Job Overview
The Cellular Pathology Department at Southmead Hospital is well equipped, accredited by UKAS to ISO and approved by IBMS for training. With a workload of approximately 80,000 requests per year, we provide a comprehensive service (Histopathology, Cytopathology and Immunohistochemistry) to the two acute Trusts in Bristol, local GPs and other centres in the South West. The work is varied, covering all specialisms with the exception of Neuropathology.

Applications are invited from individuals with significant experience of working in a Histopatholgy laboratory. In addition to a good understanding of the day to day workings of a Histopathology laboratory, it is highly desirable that the candidate have a good practical knowledge of microtomy and embedding.

To learn more about Pathology at NBT, watch our video.

Main duties of the job

Role
You will be involved in the day-to-day support work of the Histopathology laboratory. The role will include, but not be limited to:

• Receipt of samples and data entry
• Assisting with the preparation of specimens for Histological investigations
• Maintenance of equipment and reagents
• Training of band 2/3 MLA's
• Embedding and microtomy of paraffin embedded tissues.

Working for our organisation

The Histopathology department has a strong team working culture, always looking to improve to enhance not only the service we provide our users, but also the experiences we offer our team. Part of this development includes the implementation of digital pathology with the aim of digitising all slides produced in the lab. Being a large department, you will gain knowledge and experience across a wide range of activities and specimens.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
For this varied and interesting Associate Practitioner post, you will need to be passionate about working in healthcare, numerate and literate (with a minimum 4 GCSEs including English, Maths and a Science), be able to work as part of a team, be able to demonstrate adaptability and initiative and have good communication and organisational skills. This is not a training position and a degree level of education is not required for this post.

Applicants are required to have significant experience working in a Histopathology laboratory, good keyboard skills and a working knowledge of the pathology IT systems used within Histopathology. It is highly desirable that the candidate have a good practical knowledge of microtomy and embedding.

This is a permanent, full-time position (37.5 hours per week, five days per week, Monday - Friday); the hours may vary on a rotational basis (e.g. weekly or fortnightly), but will be between 7am and 6pm (exact hours subject to confirmation, e.g. 7am-3pm or 10am to 6pm). Participation in a Saturday rota may be required.

Please note this is not a training post and does not support completion of the HCPC Portfolio.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Numerate and literate (minimum 4 GCSE's, or equivalent, incl. Maths & English & a Science)
• Knowledge and practical skills at NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of appropriate protocols and SOPs used within Histology including H&S
• Experience of working as a support grade worker in Histology
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Desirable criteria

• Experience with embedding and microtomy

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
Essential criteria

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology, Histopathology and its role in healthcare
• Effective key board skills including data input experience

Desirable criteria

• Supervisory experience

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• A desire to work in healthcare

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT's workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.