Associate Practitioner

The post is for an Associate Practitioner to assist in the processing of surgical specimens. They will perform Histology laboratory techniques accurately, efficiently and according to Laboratory Standard Operating procedures. In addition to this to support staff roles, with tasks such as embedding, microtomy of paraffin embedded tissue and special stains.

Biomedical Scientist staff are available for technical support, quality assessments and advice when required. The post holder will assist with a variety of preparatory procedures of surgical specimens for microscopic examination. The post holder will rotate through both the routine and specialised histopathological sections. Working with other scientists, they will liaise with consultant, clinicians and other laboratory staff to facilitate the effective delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service.

The Department of Histopathology provides a comprehensive, fully UKAS accredited diagnostic services. The department performs routine and various highly specialised diagnostics tests using modern equipment. We offer the prospect of working within our Hub that promises a high quality, high specification and innovative environment with a large highly skilled team.

As an IBMS approved training provider, the department runs a well-structured training programme that is delivered by a highly experienced and dedicated departmental training officer, who is supported by a team of senior BMS staff. Team members receive personalised training programme and are encouraged to actively work on their personal and professional development including support for HCPC registration as well as specialist portfolios and MSc programmes wherever possible. The training programme comprises individual training manual, competency assessment, registration and specialist portfolios, reflective learning and CPD lectures and activities to state a few.

Permanent and fixed term posts available

Under the direction of Senior and Specialist Biomedical scientists, duties will include data entry, which involves initial acceptance checks on specimen received checking details with specimen senders and liaising with consultant pathologists and clinicians. They take part in equipment maintenance and reagent management as well as assisting medical and technical staff in various duties including specimen dissection. Our associate practitioners will perform analytical procedures such as embedding, microtomy and special stains following full support and training.

After in-house training and successfully completing the relevant competency assessments (with the support of the Senior BMS and other competent colleagues), they will rotate through the routine histology laboratory and Advanced Diagnostics sections of the laboratory. They will experience different points of contact with the samples and work with the team to ensure delivery of a professional, efficient and high quality diagnostic service is maintained.

The post holder will be expected to plan and organise their own work in line with the tasks allocated by following the principles and broad occupational policies and regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules set out by the department.

An expectation is that the post holder will maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain integrity and quality of service.

Excellent communication skills, both written and in spoken English is essential on order to give and seek complex scientific, medical and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision.

With most of the services being consolidated at the Hub at Blackfriars currently, we are expected to process approximately 100,000 cases per year. The service is delivered by a dynamic team of Biomedical Scientists and support staff across the Core laboratory, Advanced Diagnostics and the office. We hold IBMS training laboratory approval and participate in multiple external Quality assurance schemes, which demonstrates a strong commitment to continual quality improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for applicants with ambition to progress within Histopathology. To learn more about this opportunity, please see contact details below or simply apply through the application process.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

The successful applicant will be partaking in aspects of the laboratory processes appropriate for their role within various sections of the laboratory, including specimen receipt, booking in, dissection assist, equipment maintenance and reagent management.

The post holder will maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain integrity and quality of service. This will be aided by involvement with the Quality Leads and Quality Manager to enhance the department efforts in maintaining the high quality of all diagnostic tests provided.

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. The Hub laboratory is located at Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

The list of duties and responsibilities for this post are outlined in the Job Description section.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.