Chemical Pathology Associate Practitioner

Job overview

Job title:  Associate Practitioner

Department:  Blood Sciences – Chemical Pathology

Band 4  -£28,392 - £31,157 per annum

Fixed term contract until  31 December 2026 Hours: 37.5 per week

An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the Blood Science (Chemical Pathology) team for 12 months. Do you have good organisational and practical skills and would you like to work behind the scenes in a laboratory?

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The vacancy may close early due high applications received.

Interview Date: w/c 08 June 2026

Main duties of the job

An Associate Practitioner in an NHS Chemical Pathology laboratory is responsible for the efficient receipt, checking, and logging of patient samples on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensuring all specimens meet acceptance criteria and are correctly prioritised. They prepare, centrifuge, aliquot, and store samples appropriately while assisting with referrals to external laboratories. Under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists, they operate and maintain automated chemistry analysers to perform routine biochemical tests such as electrolytes, liver function, and lipid profiles, ensuring compliance with SOPs and quality control requirements. They accurately enter and verify patient data and results on LIMS, escalate any discrepancies, and contribute to troubleshooting flagged results. Additionally, they maintain stock levels of reagents and consumables, ensure proper reagent storage and equipment cleanliness, and uphold safety and infection control standards within the laboratory environment.

We are committed to the quality of service we provide our patients and users and have been awarded ISO15189 accreditation for Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Chemistry repertoires.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

NHS Staff Survey: Our Compassionate Culture and Leadership scores reflect a workplace where kindness, respect, and empathy are the norm—not the exception.

We have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported.  We provide a comprehensive 24/7 service which the successful candidate will support through flexible rostering.

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.  Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.   This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.