About this role
Job summary
Permanent post within the Biochemistry Department at The Royal Derby Hospital site and offers exciting opportunities for learning and development of existing skills.Applicants should have a Science Foundation Degree level (Skill level 5) or equivalent level 5 qualification. In addition Pathology Laboratory experience is required. You should be enthusiastic and self motivated with good communication, excellent IT skills, planning and organisational skills.After undergoing a suitable training period, the successful applicants will participate in a shift rota which covers 24hrs, 7 days a week. This is a mandatory requirement due to provision of a robust 24/7service.
The role is based at RDH but will initially start at QHB site. Although the base is RDH you will be required to work cross site if needed.
Interviews will take place at QHB
Main duties of the job
Associate Practitioners are required to assist the Biomedical Scientist staff. They are required to perform analyses of patient samples using both manual and automated methods, perform analyser maintenance and IQC and package and send away referred work to other hospitals.
You will be required to:
This role provides 24/7 support to blood sciences and requires skills and knowledge to prepare and process a variety of biological specimens including blood, urine, and other biological specimens using a variety of highly complex automated, semiautomated and manual techniques in accordance with agreed protocols and standard operational procedures, from receipt in the laboratory through the analytical process, up to validation but not including authorisation.
Maintain clinical records in relation to activities carried out, this may involve inputting and/or investigation of test results produced by other staff.
Closing date of applications: 26 May 2026
Interview date: 8 June 2026
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
About us
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.
Job description Job 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.
UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AIgenerated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.
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 sponsorshipImpacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers
Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Demonstrable NHS Pathology laboratory experience
Desirable
Experience working in Biochemistry
Qualifications Essential
Science Foundation Degree level (Skill level 5) or equivalent skill level 5 qualification
Desirable
Willing to study for personal development
Knowledge Essential
Able to use automated/manual laboratory equipment Able to use Laboratory Information Management System - i.e Winpath
Desirable
Understanding of good laboratory practice Able to use Middleware i.e Roche Infinity
Skills and Ability Essential
Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own work Leadership skills to enable adequate supervision of support staff Ability to work 24/7 Shift patterns
Desirable
Experience working independently as part of a pathology out of hours service
Analytical and Judgemental skills Essential
Ability to make decisions on the suitability of samples for testing.
Desirable
Experience using reporting systems to log issues with unsuitable samples/laboratory errors Knowledge of who to escalate complex enquiries to
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.
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3NE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)