Associate Practitioner

Integrated Care System; Reading; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking an Associate Practitioner for the Specimen Reception - Biofire department in Reading. This full-time role involves supervising a team, providing diagnostic services, and operating laboratory equipment. Ideal candidates will have NHS experience and a strong educational background. Join a committed team dedicated to high-quality care.

Qualifications

• Good educational background with science subjects.
• At least 1 year of NHS experience.
• Proficiency in Windows applications.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• Operate laboratory equipment and perform scientific techniques.
• Train and support less experienced staff.

Skills

Team working

Communication skills

Basic IT skills

Education

A Levels including science subjects

Basic educational qualification in Maths

Job description

Blood sciences department has a vacancy for an Associate Practitioner within the Specimen Reception - Biofire department at band 4.

The postholder will supervise a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants and, together with the Specimen Reception manager, will be responsible for the Biofire PCR service offered to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

This is a busy department with workload from all Royal Berkshire hospital sites, satellite locations, and some private hospitals.

We seek a competent, versatile individual with excellent team working and communication skills who can work accurately at all times.

Previous experience in a blood sciences environment is not essential, as training will be provided, but it would be advantageous.

We encourage personal development. If you're looking for a challenge, are versatile, and can adapt to rapidly changing scenarios, this could be the right job for you.

The post is full-time, 8:30 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday, with an expectation to contribute to our shift rota including late, night, and weekend shifts.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be responsible to:

• Participate in providing a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services across various disciplines.
• Liaise with the line manager as part of a team delivering high-quality, protocol-based technical services under supervision.
• Communicate with hospital clinicians, GPs, healthcare professionals, patients, and suppliers.
• Operate sophisticated, automated laboratory equipment and perform scientific techniques under supervision.
• Handle body fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens, appropriately.
• Report results according to departmental SOPs and relevant grading.
• Supervise support staff as agreed with management.
• Train, support, and advise less experienced staff, including trainees, students, and MLA's.

About us

Reading, located on the River Thames, benefits from excellent road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. It offers great leisure, shopping, and cultural facilities, making it a wonderful place to live and work. The area also provides excellent educational options for families, including top state and private schools.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent — these reflect the kind of Trust we aspire to be. Join our dedicated team to help us achieve this.

Job responsibilities

For further details on the job role, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good education to A Levels, including science subjects, or NVQ 4 or Foundation degree.
• Basic educational qualification in Maths.
• Proficiency in Windows applications.

Knowledge & Experience

• At least 1 year of NHS experience.
• Ability to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures.
• At least 1 year of relevant laboratory experience.

Skills

• Basic IT skills and keyboard accuracy.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure check will be required to ensure suitability for the role.