Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Services
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 282-SA594
- Employer
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- The Royal Marsden Sutton
- Town
- Sutton
- Salary
- £31,081 - £33,665 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Associate Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support scientific teams in the provision of a timely and efficient accredited Clinical Genomics Service. The post holder must be able to take responsibility for working alone and as part of a team to achieve necessary performance levels. The post-holder will be expected to work within Cancer Diagnostics Central Reception and all areas of Clinical Genomics (both Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics) to perform laboratory support duties, with minimal supervision. The major focus of the role will be in sample collection, data entry, sample prioritisation and distribution.
In addition the post holder will be required to rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories to perform laboratory support duties. Such duties will include specimen processing, data entry of requests, cell culturing processes, preparing slides for FISH analysis, preparation of FFPE slides for tumour assessment and macrodissection, DNA/RNA/ctDNA extraction, equipment maintenance tasks and supporting scientists in providing a reliable and accurate diagnostic service.
The post holder will be expected to assist in data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service and therefore needs to be fully IT literate. In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance, audits, clerical duties and participate in the departments training programme.
Working for our organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information please refer to the job description and personal specification
• To collect different types of biological samples from the main Pathology laboratories, minor procedures, theatres and switchboard during the day, including late samples, and maintaining all relevant audit trails.
• To receive and check samples from referral hospitals, laboratories and wards. To verify ID against request form and liaise with appropriate staff where errors or omissions exist. To log samples on the audit trail.
• To safely deal with high risk samples according to policy.
• To prioritise samples according to SOPs and laboratory requirements.
Person specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to write clearly
- Evidence of intermediate IT skills and data entry accuracy
- GCSE in Mathematics
- Ability to collect & distribute biological samples across the Sutton hospital site
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of medical terminology
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Ability to undertake a support role
- Able to follow written instructions including SOPs
- Attention to detail & accuracy
Specific Experience
Essential criteria
- Good education to include A levels, including a science subject
- A recognised qualification in Maths & English
- Willing to undergo relevant training
- Experience of working within a relevant laboratory
- Experience & knowledge of duties required to support senior staff gained by experience in a similar role
- Able to understand and follow SOPs
- Awareness that role involves handling of biological samples and willingness to be trained in this area
- Awareness of and ability to follow laboratory H&S practice for handling pathological specimens or willingness to undergo training in this area
- Good understanding of task prioritisation & demonstration of practice
- Basic understanding of quality management & experience of delivering good quality of service
Desirable criteria
- BSc degree in Biological Science
- Knowledge of theory & practice of laboratory techniques
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Emma Poyastro-Pearson
- Job title
- Operations Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Recruitment Support Team
- Telephone
- 01629 690825
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