University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Job Title: Biomedical Support worker / Associate Practitioner
Contract Type: Permanent
Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our team within the Laboratory Medicine Department at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
Working as a Laboratory Associate Practitioner, you will play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services by processing and analysing patient specimens, helping to provide accurate and timely results that support patient diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
As part of a multidisciplinary pathology team, you will work closely with Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and other healthcare professionals to ensure the smooth operation of laboratory services.
The post holder will report to senior laboratory staff and contribute to maintaining the high standards expected within one of the UK's leading NHS teaching hospitals.
This role directly contributes to excellent patient care by supporting the safe, efficient and accurate processing of pathological specimens, helping the department deliver timely diagnostic information while maintaining compliance with regulatory, quality and accreditation standards.
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the delivery of an efficient and high-quality pathology service within a busy laboratory environment.
Processing and analysing a range of pathological specimens under supervision and providing accurate and timely analytical data to support patient care.
Receiving, sorting, prioritising and preparing patient samples for testing, including identifying urgent specimens and ensuring accurate data entry into laboratory information systems.
Performing automated, semi-automated and manual laboratory investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and quality requirements.
Contributing to quality management activities, maintaining Good Laboratory Practice, supporting audits, and assisting with the training of new and junior staff.
What we're looking for:
A science-focused Foundation Degree or equivalent, IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2 (or equivalent), or a Level 4 Degree Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science (or equivalent).
GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English, Maths and Science.
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work accurately, prioritise workloads and maintain concentration in a busy laboratory environment.
Strong communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to adapt, multitask and work effectively under pressure.
Additional information
Previous laboratory experience and knowledge of hospital IT systems would be advantageous.
The role will require participation in flexible shift patterns to support a 24/7 pathology service and will involve working across multiple pathology disciplines.
The post holder will be expected to maintain competency through ongoing training, professional development and mandatory training requirements.
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.
