Job summary
- Main area
- Histology
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 320-CDCS-3620
- Employer
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Derby Hospital
- Town
- Derby
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 pro rata pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/05/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 11/06/2025
Employer heading

Associate Practitioner Histology
Band 4
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
With over 13,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.
As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds. All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.
The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.
Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme
To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.
The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities. This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.
If you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on 01332 788466
Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.
Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for;
Job overview
A vacancy has arisen for a Band 4 Associate Practitioner within the Histopathology Department at Royal Derby Hospital. The department provides a full Diagnostic Service to Clinicians and GPs, handling approximately 50,000 tissue samples a year.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed individual with a keen interest in medical science. Demonstrable paid Pathology Laboratory experience is essential and ideally within Histology.
You must be adaptable and have the ability to work within a team coping with the daily pressures of a busy and frequently changing environment. Experience of training and development of staff is highly desirable as well as experience of resolving client/customer queries.
We consider the department to be very innovative, and are currently expanding our service to include a 0730-1930 working day Monday-Friday including Saturday rotations.
Main duties of the job
Key duties associated with this role include sample handling and preparation, input of key data, a wide range of IT duties which includes use of the quality management system, participation in audit, tissue embedding, microtomy, special stain techniques, stock control and supervision/development of Medical Laboratory Assistant staff.
Full training will be given for all duties and competency will be attained through a combination of in-house training and formal assessment. The successful candidate will be expected to be at foundation degree level or equivalent, and have good IT skills.
Flexibility with start and finish times is required as Associate Practitioners participate in a rota which covers part of the role.
Closing date of applications: 28 May 2025
Interview date: 11 June 2025
Working for our organisation
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together
Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.
In return we will offer:
- Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
- On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
- Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes
Key Facts:
- We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
- We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
- An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
- Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
- Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
- We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
- We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
- UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Science foundation degree or equivalent (e.g. IBMS CoA parts 1 and 2)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Pathology laboratory work demonstrable experience - handling samples
- Training and supporting staff development
- Data base information systems usage
- Histology laboratory experience
- Clerical and administration experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience in stock checks
Communication/Working relationships
Essential criteria
- Handling and resolving staff or client queries
- Working as part of a team/communicates effectively with colleagues
- Professional and courteous manner
Desirable criteria
- Communication with a wide range of customers
- Evidence of flexibility
Skills
Essential criteria
- Evidence of extracurricular activities
- Evidence of IT and key board skills
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Maira Awan
- Job title
- Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01332 789312
- Additional information
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