The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 01 July 2025

Job summary

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.

About us

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.

Details

Date posted

17 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,081 to £33,665 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA594

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Job description

Job 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.

Job description

Job 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

  • 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

  • Knowledge of medical terminology

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to undertake a support role
  • Able to follow written instructions including SOPs
  • Attention to detail & accuracy

Specific Experience

Essential

  • 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

  • BSc degree in Biological Science
  • Knowledge of theory & practice of laboratory techniques
Person Specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • 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

  • Knowledge of medical terminology

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to undertake a support role
  • Able to follow written instructions including SOPs
  • Attention to detail & accuracy

Specific Experience

Essential

  • 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

  • BSc degree in Biological Science
  • Knowledge of theory & practice of laboratory techniques

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

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operations Manager

Emma Poyastro-Pearson

emma.poyastro-pearson@rmh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

17 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£31,081 to £33,665 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA594

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Sutton

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Supporting documents

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