Associate Practitioner

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital in the UK is looking for a Biomedical Scientist responsible for performing tests, maintaining laboratory equipment, and training staff. Applicants should have a Foundation Degree in Healthcare Science and experience in a histology lab. This role contributes to important healthcare standards and values within a diverse environment.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion programs

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in a histology lab preferred.
• Ability to interpret and follow standard operating procedures.
• Compliance with national standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and non-routine tests as per laboratory guidelines.
• Train/teach staff within the scope of competencies.
• Monitor and maintain laboratory equipment.

Skills

Biomedical investigations

Quality control

Equipment maintenance

Stock control

IT skills for Laboratory Information System

Education

Foundation Degree in Healthcare Science

Job description

Overview

Undertake routine and non-routine tests or activities as identified by individual laboratories. Responsible for monitoring and performing daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of laboratory equipment. Participate in quality activities and departmental huddles. The post holder will train/teach staff within the scope of their competencies and work within sections of Pathology to comply with national standards e.g., ISO15189 and HTA.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and follow standard operating procedures.
• Perform biomedical investigations to the point of technical validation as specified by the Senior BMS, including:
• Automated techniques
• Semi-automated techniques
• Manual techniques
• Be responsible for stock control of reagents and other consumables.
• Resolve outstanding work lists and retrieve retrospective specimens.
• Check and confirm the identity and quality of specimens/samples at all relevant stages in line with established procedures, including anomalous or abnormal results.
• Handle and manage specimens/samples ensuring risk considerations, quality, integrity, and traceability to records/documentation.
• Assess investigations using correct quality control criteria and refer anomalous results to biomedical scientist staff.
• Store, prepare, and use reagents according to manufacturers' instructions.
• Participate in the introduction of new methods in the laboratory.
• Refer to biomedical scientist staff in cases of incidents affecting health, safety or specimen quality.
• Comply with legislation, policies, and procedures.

• Equipment
• Monitor and perform daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of laboratory equipment; ensure logs are completed.
• Check the safety and functioning of all equipment.
• Perform simple troubleshooting and report malfunctions to BMS staff.
• Participate in the introduction of new equipment or methods to the department.
• Contribute to method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed.
• Assist in resolving equipment or method failures, including dismantling instruments for simple repairs.
• Use the sample tracking system and store samples appropriately.

• Information Collection & Analysis
• Comply with local and national policies for safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Use the Laboratory Information System according to authorised protocols; enter patient demographics and technical laboratory data.
• Collect and collate data effectively and in a timely manner; monitor temperature monitoring systems and act on excursions.
• Stock control of reagents and other consumables; confirm data meets pre-set quality criteria.
• Maintain data/information integrity and report data in the required format.

• People Management
• Plan and prioritise own work to meet deadlines; supervise and allocate work to Biomedical Support Workers.
• Report poor performance to Biomedical Scientist staff.

Qualifications & Experience

• Be required to have achieved the appropriate qualification, e.g., Foundation Degree in Healthcare Science.
• Be required to have some experience working in a histology lab with an understanding of histology processes.
• Be able to interpret and follow standard operating procedures.

Training & Development

• The post holder will be required to train/teach staff within the scope of their competencies and undertake responsibilities across Pathology sections to comply with national standards.
• Attend mandatory and role-specific training.

Working for our organisation

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area. We are on an exciting journey with a Group Model with Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, becoming University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. We have Excellence Values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Courage.

We aim to recruit the best people, promote vacancies to all communities, and encourage applications from protected groups (BAME, Disabled, LGBTQ+) to ensure inclusivity and collaboration. We have active Networks supporting colleagues from diverse backgrounds to promote belonging in Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Additional information

Detailed job description and main responsibilities include:

• Communication: communicate effectively with Pathology staff, clinicians, and visitors; ensure confidentiality; keep accurate records; attend departmental meetings.
• Health, Safety & Security: comply with policies; observe risk management; handle potentially infectious materials and hazardous chemicals; maintain clean workbenches.
• Service Improvement: adapt to workload changes; alert line manager to adverse service effects; participate in audits and evaluations; suggest area changes when required.
• Quality: comply with UKAS and Health Protection Agency standards; monitor quality control; validate as directed by Senior BMS; report anomalous results to registered BMS staff.
• Equality & Diversity: treat all staff with dignity and respect; comply with legislation; promote an inclusive environment.

Apply today and join the largest family in Northamptonshire.