Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner

Job overview

The Cellular Pathology department within the Royal Victoria Infirmary has an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team as a Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP).

The Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP) plays a key role within the Cellular Pathology department, supporting the delivery of high quality diagnostic services for patients. Working as part of a busy, multidisciplinary laboratory team, the post holder will assist with the receipt, processing, and preparation of tissue and cellular specimens for microscopic and molecular analysis.

This role requires accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and patient focused service

Our service is one of the largest in the country and includes Histology, Diagnostic Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Innovation laboratories, as well as Mortuary Services. We are a recognised specialist centre and receive a high volume of referrals, this is also an excellent opportunity for experienced HCSAPs to build and expand their current skill set.

• Interview Date Thursday 30 April 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

The post involves the receipt and preparation of tissue samples for microscopic analysis, including microtomy, embedding, staining, equipment maintenance and preparation for genetic analysis. This role is based in the specimen reception area of the department, where experience in sample acceptance, clerking and handling a wide range of both large and small Cellular Pathology specimen types will be advantageous. Candidates must be comfortable handling a wide range of pathology specimens as part of routine laboratory work.

Applicants should be enthusiastic, well motivated individuals with experience in histological techniques and a good understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They should enjoy working as part of a team and possess keyboard skills, excellent communication abilities and flexibility to support service needs.  Shift patterns are 7.5 hours Monday to Friday between the laboratory opening hours of 7am–6pm, with participation in a Saturday rota. Flexibility is strongly encouraged to support staff and service demands.

We offer training opportunities to all grades of staff in a supportive and modern environment. The post is primarily to support Registered and Specialist Biomedical Scientists within the laboratory, with opportunities to rotate into different sections of the department.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• A Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.
• The Healthcare Science Associate will use practical skills to carry out a tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens within the Histopathology Department. The tasks undertaken are more advanced than those of an HSA.
• Specimen reception: To deal with the reception, sorting and labelling of patient specimens, identifying inadequate and mis-labelled specimens and ensuring urgent samples are prioritised.
• Recording specimen dissection descriptions, data entry including macroscopic descriptions onto APEX, preparing specimens for analysis, including booking in patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens. Assessing x-rays to determine end part of decalcification.
• Carefully prepare samples for diagnostic testing or storage. This may involve delicate procedures to manually handle category A samples, describe samples and place into a labelled cassette matching necessary paperwork and documentation
• As directed, undertake basic testing under supervision of BMS staff, record and enter results onto laboratory computer systems e.g. macroscopic descriptions of category A specimens
• Assist in the training of new members of staff in the standard operational procedures required of them
• As directed by BMS in technical charge of section, assist in the induction, basic training and competency assessment (as appropriate) of new or less experienced staff by demonstrating duties and providing advice and guidance
• Loading/unloading tissue processors and initiating processing programmes.
• To carry out, under supervision, laboratory procedures:o Embedding. Morphological alignment of surgical biopsies within molten waxo Microtomy. Cutting 4 micron sections of tissueo Special stains; Undertake staining procedures to identify specific tissue structures or organismso Antigen retrieval procedures (heat mediated and enzyme digestion)o Processing of biopsies into epoxy resin for electron microscopyo Identifying and labelling electron micrographso Undertaking manual immunocytochemistry procedureso Pipette body fluids, which require manipulation of transfer pipettes and manual dexterity.
• Use laboratory equipment:o Faxitron X ray equipment,o Cassette labelling machineso Cytospins and centrifugeso Slide staining machines,o Immunocytochemistry autostainers (programming daily runs, loading/unloading of slides, preparation of reagents general maintenance)
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors.
• To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
• Oversee HSAs working in the section
• Train new members of staff (HSAs)
• Answer telephone enquiries, retrieving results in accordance with SOPs