Associate Practitioner

Royal Marsden; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Marsden is seeking an Associate Practitioner to join its integrated Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service. This role involves sample collection, data entry, and rotation into laboratory support duties. Candidates should possess a BSc in Biological Science and demonstrate essential interpersonal and technical skills.

Benefits

Child care facilities

Car parking

Sports and social activities

CPD Club

Qualifications

• Ability to collect & distribute biological samples across the Sutton hospital site.
• Willing to undergo relevant training.
• Experience of working within a relevant laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Collect biological samples and maintain audit trails.
• Input patient-related data using Pathology LIMS systems.
• Prioritize samples according to laboratory requirements.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Data entry accuracy

Medical terminology knowledge

Task prioritization

Education

BSc degree in Biological Science

GCSE in Mathematics

A levels including a science subject

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Practitioner with good interpersonal skills and a committed team member to join the integrated RMH Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SIHMDS), working across central specimen reception, Haematopathology and Immunophenotyping. The SIHMDS at the Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) in Sutton, provides an expert diagnostic service for both RMH clinicians and also for those from other NHS and private organisations as well as participating in clinical trials.

The key roles of an associate practitioner consist of sample collection, data entry, sample prioritisation and distribution. The post holder will be the first point of contact for internal and external clinical users and couriers. The specimen reception is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm and so the post holder will be required to participate on a shift system on a rotational basis to provide this cover.

In addition to the specimen reception role the post holder would be required to rotate into the Haematopathology and Immunophenotyping laboratories to perform laboratory support duties.

The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club. Staff benefits include child care facilities, car parking at Sutton and various sports and social activities.

Main duties of the job

The key roles of an associate practitioner consist of sample collection, data entry, sample prioritisation and distribution. The post holder will be the first point of contact for internal and external clinical users and couriers. The specimen reception is open from 8.30 to 5.30pm and so the post holder will be required to participate on a shift system on a rotational basis to provide this cover.

In addition to the specimen reception role the post holder would be required to rotate into both the Haematopathology and Immunophenotyping laboratories to perform laboratory support duties described in the ‘Key areas of responsibility’ section below. The laboratories are open between 8AM-6PM and the post holder will be required to participate on a shift system on a rotational basis to provide this cover once trained to do so.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 forma 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

To input patient-related data received from external referral hospitals, wards and clinical areas including test requests, using the Pathology LIMS systems/ local database/ NHS tracing system on a daily basis;

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

• 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
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Personal Qualities

• Ability to undertake a support role
• Able to follow written instructions including SOPs

Specific Experience

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

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges