Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner

Job summary

The successful candidate will need to work in a fast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and delivering the tight deadlines. This role requires good manual dexterity and a high level of attention to detail as the role requires that the post holder provides support and guidance to other team members.

Main duties of the job

The post holder would be expected to demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff or visitors to the department so the successful candidate would need to demonstrate excellent communication skills and knowledge. By working to strict deadlines within established systems and procedures, the successful applicant will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, technical and training skills and flexibility. The post holder should have the ability to use their initiative and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.

Details

• Date posted: 02 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 4
• Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 001118
• Job locations: St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Why you should join our Team

Join us to make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives.

If your passion is science and you want to be at the forefront of improving outcomes for patients, then there’s no better place to be.

We are currently recruiting for dedicated individuals to join our growing team in the

genomics central laboratory at St James’s University Hospital, as a Healthcare Science Associate.

Working closely with colleagues at Leeds and across the wider North East and Yorkshire

(NEY) region, applicants should have experience of:

• A broad range of diagnostic techniques, including cell culture, FISH, DNA extraction, Next generation sequencing (NGS) and PCR
• Have attained the basic competencies in a range of techniques used in a genetics laboratory.
• Be able to maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative and associated procedures.
• Ideally applicants will have previous experience in a diagnostic laboratory.

What you will bring to the role

• To perform, sometimes under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holder’s level of knowledge, skills and experience.
• To participate in departmental research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory.

• Use of the following routine analytical laboratory techniques: polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent sequencing, fluorescent mutation detection methods and restriction digests. All require dexterity as they involve repetitive micropipetting of small accurately measured volumes, gel manipulation or use of automated analysers.
• Perform routine processing of samples in a class II microbiological safety cabinet and working to containment level 2+.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative and associated procedures.
• The post holder is responsible for maintaining paper and computer records of diagnostic data including the entry of data in to the Patient Management system e.g. test requirements, worksheets, test results.

• The post holder may be required to contribute to troubleshooting of routine analytical laboratory techniques.
• Use considerable manual dexterity in the manipulation of a wide range scientific equipment.
• Perform unsupervised activities at the laboratory bench with a high degree of precision and accuracy.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

We’re committed to recruiting exceptional people to deliver outstanding services across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and helping every colleague reach their full potential. We’re looking for a compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative leader who shares our values and can build strong partnerships. We warmly invite applications from people from a variety of backgrounds and sectors, and are especially keen to hear from individuals from a minority ethnic background. We’re dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging, as we work together to deliver the best in healthcare to the people of Leeds and beyond.

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.