Job summary The Cellular Pathology department within the Royal Victoria Infirmary has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team as a Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP). The department provides Histopathology, Cytopathology and Mortuary services housed within a purpose built facility in a prime city-centre location. The laboratory is one of the largest services in the country and handles around 80,000 histology requests per annum. We receive a broad range of specimens from within the Trust, General Practitioners and as a specialist referral centre handles cases regionally, nationally and from overseas. We also work in collaboration with the Regional Genetics service. Informal enquiries are welcomed. Interview Date: 3rd March 2025 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. Main duties of the job This post involve the receipt and preparation of tissue samples for microscopic analysis including microtomy, embedding, staining, equipment maintenance and preparation for genetic analysis. This role is primarily for the Specimen Reception/dissection section of the department, experience in this area will be advantageous, opportunity for experience in other sections may arise later in training. Applicants should be enthusiastic, well motivated individuals who have experience in histology. They should have a good knowledge and understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Applicants should enjoy working as part of a team, possess keyboard skills, excellent communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, and be flexible to service needs. Full training will be provided, this is also an excellent opportunity for experienced HCSAP's to build and expand on current skill set. Shift patterns are 7.5 hours Monday to Friday between the laboratory opening hours of 7am - 6pm, with some rotation on a Saturday rota. Flexibility is strongly encouraged to support staff and service needs. 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 in the laboratory with opportunity to rotate into different sections of the department. About us Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites: o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites. Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'. For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Date posted 14 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 317-2025-07-31-DR Job locations Royal Victoria Infirmary 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary NE1 4LP Job description Job 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 tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens within the Histopathology Department. The tasks undertaken are more advanced than those of an HCSA. 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 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 tissuestructures 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 andmanual 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. Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you. Job description Job 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 tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens within the Histopathology Department. The tasks undertaken are more advanced than those of an HCSA. 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 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 tissuestructures 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 andmanual 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. Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you. Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential NVQ 4 in Healthcare Science or equivalent GCSE in 4 subjects 2 of which must be Maths and English or equivalent Knowledge & Experience Essential Previous experience as an HSA in a Cellular Pathology Laboratory or an equivalent level of knowledge and skills acquired through laboratory based practice Knowledge and understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease Technical terminology. Basic medical, anatomical and disease terminology. Desirable Understanding of Health and Safety Basic understanding of human biology Use of laboratory equipment e.g. pH meter Manual handling Skills & Abilities Essential Self-organisation and the ability to prioritise. Proven communication skills Able to concentrate for long periods Keyboard skills (minimum 25 words per minute) Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential NVQ 4 in Healthcare Science or equivalent GCSE in 4 subjects 2 of which must be Maths and English or equivalent Knowledge & Experience Essential Previous experience as an HSA in a Cellular Pathology Laboratory or an equivalent level of knowledge and skills acquired through laboratory based practice Knowledge and understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease Technical terminology. Basic medical, anatomical and disease terminology. Desirable Understanding of Health and Safety Basic understanding of human biology Use of laboratory equipment e.g. pH meter Manual handling Skills & Abilities Essential Self-organisation and the ability to prioritise. Proven communication skills Able to concentrate for long periods Keyboard skills (minimum 25 words per minute) Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Royal Victoria Infirmary 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary NE1 4LP Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)