Job vacancy: Associate Practitioner, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton

Job summary

Main area: Molecular Diagnostics
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 282-SA1223

Employer: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: The Royal Marsden Hospital
Town: Sutton
Salary: £32,199 - £34,876 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/02/2026 23:59

Associate Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the Job Description and Person 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 provide administrative support to all laboratories including filing, telephone enquiries from users of the service, and distribution of reports according to department policies.
To perform all duties with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
To ensure that statutory UKAS and Trust requirements for record keeping of results are met by validation or verification of technology and reports as required
To ensure a high quality technical service
To process clinical samples and perform DNA and RNA extraction from FFPE and biological fluids. Prepare FFPE samples for tumour assessment and DNA extraction.
To decontaminate laboratory working areas and equipment according to SOPs

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

Good general education including A-levels, with at least one science subject
Recognised qualifications in Maths and English

Desirable criteria

BSc in Biological Science or equivalent

Education/Qualifications

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of theory & practice of laboratory techniques

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience working in a relevant laboratory or healthcare setting
Awareness and understanding of handling biological samples
Awareness of laboratory health & safety procedures and COSHH E
Experience using Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of molecular and cytogenetic techniques (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, FISH, slide preparation)
Experience working in a UKAS-accredited diagnostic laboratory

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

High level of attention to detail and accuracy
Manual dexterity for technical tasks
Strong data entry and IT skills, including use of LIMS and Microsoft Office
Ability to follow written instructions and protocols
Good verbal and written communication skills
Able to prioritise and manage own workload

Desirable criteria

Understands the relationship between laboratory work and patient care
Basic understanding of quality systems (e.g., ISO 15189, UKAS) and data integrity

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Reliable, enthusiastic, and proactive
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Demonstrates initiative within role boundaries
Willing to respond flexibly to service demands

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Please ensure your information is accurate to avoid errors with processing your application

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.