Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 20 April 2026

Job summary

Would you like to join a highly motivated, diverse, patient orientated laboratory team? If so, come and join the department of Cellular Pathology we are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, like-minded Associate Practitioner to support the delivery of services within our exciting University Health Board. If you enjoy laboratory work and have an interest in Cellular Pathology we would like to hear from you.

The Cellular Pathology Department provides a diagnostic service for the City of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and provides tertiary services including Neuropathology, Electron Microscopy and Foetal Pathology for the larger population of South East Wales and beyond. The laboratory is accredited to UKAS ISO 15189:2012.

Main duties of the job

Working with the Consultant Histopathologists and other members of the Operational Histology team to provide an accurate, and where possible, rapid diagnosis of specimens, which will improve the clinical treatment of patients, contributing to their welfare. Carrying out, under minimal supervision by qualified staff the routine tasks in the laboratory not requiring all the specialist skills or training of a BMS.

To perform basic clinical, technical or scientific laboratory tasks taking responsibility for the completion of tasks and applying the post holder's specialist practical and theoretical knowledge in the areas of Cellular Pathology. This will involve the preparation and subsequent investigations and techniques of tissue/fluid samples, while ensuring that results are obtained in an efficient and timely manner.

Follows departmental protocols and procedures to undertake manual and automated techniques within the sections of the Cellular Pathology Department such as microtomy and staining.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Details

Date posted

13 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,819 to £31,626 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

001-ACS060-0426

Job locations

University Hospital of Wales

Heath Park

Cardiff

CF14 4XW


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Higher National Certificate in Med Lab Sciences or an applied Biological Science or Foundation Degree or NVQ level 5 in science related subjects

Desirable

  • Science Degree

Experience

Essential

  • Sufficient laboratory experience

Desirable

  • Experience in Histopathology

Skills

Essential

  • Good laboratory techniques
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good keyboard skills and computer literacy
  • Excellent spoken and written English
  • Ability to maintain concentration

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Special Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of laboratory computer systems

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Histopathology technology
  • Knowledge of Laboratory procedures

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Organised
  • Calm under pressure
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Willing to learn
  • Flexible
  • Attention to detail

Desirable

  • Ability to multi task
  • Ability to achieve set targets within a specified timeframe
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Higher National Certificate in Med Lab Sciences or an applied Biological Science or Foundation Degree or NVQ level 5 in science related subjects

Desirable

  • Science Degree

Experience

Essential

  • Sufficient laboratory experience

Desirable

  • Experience in Histopathology

Skills

Essential

  • Good laboratory techniques
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good keyboard skills and computer literacy
  • Excellent spoken and written English
  • Ability to maintain concentration

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Special Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of laboratory computer systems

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Histopathology technology
  • Knowledge of Laboratory procedures

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Organised
  • Calm under pressure
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Willing to learn
  • Flexible
  • Attention to detail

Desirable

  • Ability to multi task
  • Ability to achieve set targets within a specified timeframe

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Address

University Hospital of Wales

Heath Park

Cardiff

CF14 4XW


Employer's website

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Address

University Hospital of Wales

Heath Park

Cardiff

CF14 4XW


Employer's website

https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Occupational Lead

Abbie Mackie

abbie.mackie@wales.nhs.uk

02921844277

Details

Date posted

13 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,819 to £31,626 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

001-ACS060-0426

Job locations

University Hospital of Wales

Heath Park

Cardiff

CF14 4XW


Supporting documents

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