Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner

Job details

• Job reference: 253381
• Salary: Band 4 (£31,537 - £34,303)
• Job closing date: 29/07/2026
• Job Type: Healthcare Sciences
• Location: Forth Valley Royal Hospital
• Employment type: Permanent
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 15/07/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Forth Valley
• Department: Microbiology

**Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage**

An opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified, Associate Practitioner with experience working in a Microbiology Laboratory to join the Microbiology department based in Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.

The appointee would be expected to carry out, under the supervision of qualified laboratory staff, a wide range of routine laboratory and administrative tasks, which do not require the skill and training of a state registered Biomedical Scientist, including the following:

• Processes a range of laboratory diagnostic specimens on patient samples following departmental SOPs.
• Provide technical support to scientific staff in the Microbiology laboratory
• Perform primary testing of samples on a range of laboratory analysers including Abbott Architect, Abbott Alinity m, Abbott Alinity m, Cepheid GeneXpert, Biomerieux Vidas, Vitek and Maldi-TOF Technology and IQ Sprint Automated Urinalysis.
• Reports critical or urgent results to more senior staff/Consultant Medical staff where required.
• Ensures the continuity of the service is maintained by managing the efficient and effective use of expensive consumable materials.
• Rotates through a number of routine sections of the laboratory.
• Liaises with colleagues in other departments and hospitals to arrange specialised tests to be performed.
• Performs delegated duties as agreed with the line manager.

Active participation in CPD and opportunities for further study are supported and encouraged You will be employed to work shifts over 7 days which include public holidays, on-call, evening and weekend shifts as required by the needs of the service. You may be required to rotate into other laboratory disciplines at the needs of the service.

The laboratory is accredited by UKAS ISO 15189:2022

For informal enquiries please contact Elisa Stewart ,Microbiology Deputy Manager Tel: 01324 566686

The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa routes. NHS Forth Valley may be able to offer sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. If you are currently working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, transitional arrangements may apply. Please note that sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. For further information on visa requirements and sponsorship eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance.

It is also recommend that anyone applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad read the following guidance: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail, therefore please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates.

NHS Forth Valley is positive about disabled people and is committed to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please contact the Recruitment Office on 0330 041 4694 if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you with your application and/or interview.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.