What are the responsibilities and job description for the Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner
Band 4
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.
With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, we’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.
As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Cellular Pathology department within the Royal Victoria Infirmary has an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team as a Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP).
The Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP) plays a key role within the Cellular Pathology department, supporting the delivery of high quality diagnostic services for patients. Working as part of a busy, multidisciplinary laboratory team, the post holder will assist with the receipt, processing, and preparation of tissue and cellular specimens for microscopic and molecular analysis.
This role requires accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and patient focused service
Our service is one of the largest in the country and includes Histology, Diagnostic Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Innovation laboratories, as well as Mortuary Services. We are a recognised specialist centre and receive a high volume of referrals, this is also an excellent opportunity for experienced HCSAPs to build and expand their current skill set.
Main duties of the job
The post involves the receipt and preparation of tissue samples for microscopic analysis, including microtomy, embedding, staining, equipment maintenance and preparation for genetic analysis. This role is based in the specimen reception area of the department, where experience in sample acceptance, clerking and handling a wide range of both large and small Cellular Pathology specimen types will be advantageous. Candidates must be comfortable handling a wide range of pathology specimens as part of routine laboratory work.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, well motivated individuals with experience in histological techniques and a good understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They should enjoy working as part of a team and possess keyboard skills, excellent communication abilities and flexibility to support service needs.
Shift patterns are 7.5 hours Monday to Friday between the laboratory opening hours of 7am–6pm, with participation in a Saturday rota. Flexibility is strongly encouraged to support staff and service demands.
We offer training opportunities to all grades of staff in a supportive and modern environment. The post is primarily to support Registered and Specialist Biomedical Scientists within the laboratory, with opportunities to rotate into different sections of the department.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Anna Long Job title Deputy Operations Manager Email address Anna.long7@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2826829
Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner
Band 4
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.
With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, we’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.
As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Cellular Pathology department within the Royal Victoria Infirmary has an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team as a Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP).
The Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner (HCSAP) plays a key role within the Cellular Pathology department, supporting the delivery of high quality diagnostic services for patients. Working as part of a busy, multidisciplinary laboratory team, the post holder will assist with the receipt, processing, and preparation of tissue and cellular specimens for microscopic and molecular analysis.
This role requires accuracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and patient focused service
Our service is one of the largest in the country and includes Histology, Diagnostic Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Innovation laboratories, as well as Mortuary Services. We are a recognised specialist centre and receive a high volume of referrals, this is also an excellent opportunity for experienced HCSAPs to build and expand their current skill set.
- Interview Date Thursday 30 April 2026
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The post involves the receipt and preparation of tissue samples for microscopic analysis, including microtomy, embedding, staining, equipment maintenance and preparation for genetic analysis. This role is based in the specimen reception area of the department, where experience in sample acceptance, clerking and handling a wide range of both large and small Cellular Pathology specimen types will be advantageous. Candidates must be comfortable handling a wide range of pathology specimens as part of routine laboratory work.
Applicants should be enthusiastic, well motivated individuals with experience in histological techniques and a good understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They should enjoy working as part of a team and possess keyboard skills, excellent communication abilities and flexibility to support service needs.
Shift patterns are 7.5 hours Monday to Friday between the laboratory opening hours of 7am–6pm, with participation in a Saturday rota. Flexibility is strongly encouraged to support staff and service demands.
We offer training opportunities to all grades of staff in a supportive and modern environment. The post is primarily to support Registered and Specialist Biomedical Scientists within the laboratory, with opportunities to rotate into different sections of the department.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Freeman Hospital
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Cramlington Manor Walks
- Urgent treatment centres
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- A Healthcare Science Associate Practitioner is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.
- The Healthcare Science Associate will use practical skills to carry out a tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens within the Histopathology Department. The tasks undertaken are more advanced than those of an HSA.
- Specimen reception: To deal with the reception, sorting and labelling of patient specimens, identifying inadequate and mis-labelled specimens and ensuring urgent samples are prioritised.
- Recording specimen dissection descriptions, data entry including macroscopic descriptions onto APEX, preparing specimens for analysis, including booking in patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens. Assessing x-rays to determine end part of decalcification.
- Carefully prepare samples for diagnostic testing or storage. This may involve delicate procedures to manually handle category A samples, describe samples and place into a labelled cassette matching necessary paperwork and documentation
- As directed, undertake basic testing under supervision of BMS staff, record and enter results onto laboratory computer systems e.g. macroscopic descriptions of category A specimens
- Assist in the training of new members of staff in the standard operational procedures required of them
- As directed by BMS in technical charge of section, assist in the induction, basic training and competency assessment (as appropriate) of new or less experienced staff by demonstrating duties and providing advice and guidance
- Loading/unloading tissue processors and initiating processing programmes.
- To carry out, under supervision, laboratory procedures:
- Embedding. Morphological alignment of surgical biopsies within molten wax
- Microtomy. Cutting 4 micron sections of tissue
- Special stains; Undertake staining procedures to identify specific tissue structures or organisms
- Antigen retrieval procedures (heat mediated and enzyme digestion)
- Processing of biopsies into epoxy resin for electron microscopy
- Identifying and labelling electron micrographs
- Undertaking manual immunocytochemistry procedures
- Pipette body fluids, which require manipulation of transfer pipettes and manual dexterity.
- Use laboratory equipment:
- Faxitron X ray equipment,
- Cassette labelling machines
- Cytospins and centrifuges
- Slide staining machines,
- Immunocytochemistry autostainers (programming daily runs, loading/unloading of slides, preparation of reagents general maintenance)
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors.
- To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
- Oversee HSAs working in the section
- Train new members of staff (HSAs)
- Answer telephone enquiries, retrieving results in accordance with SOPs
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- NVQ 4 in Healthcare Science or equivalent
- GCSE in 4 subjects 2 of which must be Maths and English or equivalent
Essential criteria
- Previous experience as an HSA in a Cellular Pathology Laboratory or an equivalent level of knowledge and skills acquired through laboratory based practice
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of Cellular Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
- Technical terminology. Basic medical, anatomical and disease terminology
- Understanding of Health and Safety
- Basic understanding of human biology
- Use of laboratory equipment e.g. pH meter
- Manual handling
Essential criteria
- Self-organisation and the ability to prioritise
- Proven communication and leadership skills
- Able to concentrate for long periods
- Keyboard skills (minimum 25 words per minute)
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
- JD & PS (PDF, 123.4KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Anna Long Job title Deputy Operations Manager Email address Anna.long7@nhs.net Telephone number 0191 2826829