Associate Practitioner in Basildon

Main area: Blood Sciences

Grade: SYNLAB Pay Band 4

Contract: 6 months (Fixed term until the end of December)

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £28,392.00 to £31,157.00 per annum depending on experience

Closing date: 15/06/2026 23:59

We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Job overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented Associate Practitioner to join the dynamic team in our blood sciences department. This is a fixed term position, covering maternity leave up until the end of December 2026. You will be part of a team providing clinical biochemistry, haematology, immunology and transfusion laboratory services for Southend and Basildon University hospitals and the surrounding community. The role is primarily based at Basildon University Hospital, with the requirement to work at any Pathology First location as needed.

As a part of this team, you will play a critical role in delivering top-quality laboratory services. We operate a ‘hub and spoke’ model with non-urgent community samples being analysed at our off-site hub on the outskirts of Basildon and two acute laboratories providing essential services at the hospitals. With your exceptional skills and expertise, you will be an integral part of our team, providing essential support to our laboratory operations.

As an Associate Practitioner, you will be expected, following appropriate training, to rotate through all areas of the laboratories and to perform a variety of analytical and biomedical support tasks following standard operating procedures. You will be expected to perform within agreed quality standards and turnaround times under the supervision of a biomedical scientist who will validate your work. The role does not require HCPC registration. You will be required to work full-time over a 24h shift pattern, which includes a mixture of 12-hour nights, 12-hour days, and 8-hour early, late and day shifts. You will be expected to work on any day or night of the year. Additional payments are made for unsocial hours.

Main duties of the job:

• To rotate across all laboratory areas as required, undertaking duties in accordance with procedures, maintaining high professional standards, and adhering to Health and Safety regulations.
• To perform biomedical investigations within agreed quality standards and turnaround times under senior supervision, while continuing professional development.

Working for our organisation:

SYNLAB UK & Ireland work closely with clinicians, hospitals, occupational health providers and clinical researchers to deliver comprehensive pathology services. We thrive in diverse environments, which is mirrored in our workforce, clients, customers, suppliers, communities, and partners. We believe that an inclusive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining talented individuals, and for building a sustainable, high-performing workforce.

Our staff are crucial to our mission of making a positive impact in healthcare. We foster a culture of continuous personal development, providing scientists and staff with the support and resources needed to acquire new skills and advance their careers through learning and development opportunities, coaching, and clear career pathways.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Perform routine and specialist biomedical investigations and participate daily in the scientific and technical activities of the laboratory section, which may include specimen reception functions and cleaning and maintenance tasks, under the supervision of biomedical scientists.
• Be able to rotate through all areas of the laboratory as required (dependent on qualifications, experience and training) performing all designated tasks according to standard operating procedures whilst maintaining high personal standards and conforming to health and safety regulations.
• Skilfully use the laboratory information management systems and other software according to agreed protocols including assisting in computerised data entry in all areas of the laboratory.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity, whether face to face, by telephone or electronic methods, referring enquiries to more senior employees where appropriate.
• Plan and prioritise work, responding appropriately to routine and urgent needs.
• Provide supervision and training to more junior staff which includes monitoring their performance against laboratory standards and completing training records.
• Support the introduction of new technologies and systems by being a change advocate, an active mentor and a tutor to junior employees.
• Use consumables and equipment responsibly and carry out stock control audits as required.
• Report all adverse incidents to a senior person and record relevant information as directed.
• Demonstrate ongoing competency with standard operating procedures and participate positively in continuous professional development activities.
• Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• A qualification at academic level 5 or higher (e.g. a diploma of higher education or HND) in a relevant scientific subject.
• Academic level 2 qualifications (GCSE grade 4/C or above) in English and Maths.

Experience:

• Experience of a minimum of 6 months working within a Blood Sciences Laboratory.

Skills:

• Knowledge gained through experience of working in a Blood Sciences Laboratory.
• Knowledge of a range of routine biomedical scientific investigations in blood sciences.
• Knowledge of information technology software including email, video conferencing, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation as it applies to medical laboratories.
• Able to cover, if required, 24/7 shift cover.
• Able to work across two different sites if required.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

For our Permanent workforce, we offer a competitive benefits package. All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ground breaking development opportunities.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults: All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Thank you for your interest in SYNLAB.