Associate Practitioner Blood Transfusion

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Plymouth is looking for an Associate Practitioner to manage a team in the Blood Transfusion Department. The role includes preparation and processing of clinical samples, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and providing operational support. The ideal candidate will have an NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science and excellent interpersonal skills. Full training will be provided, and nightshifts may be required.

Qualifications

• Ability to be trained for laboratory investigations irrespective of their complexity.
• Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory.
• Proven knowledge of quality assurance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely processing of all blood transfusion samples and test requests.
• Assist Biomedical Scientists in preparation, running, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Book test requests into the laboratory computer system (LIMS).

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent

Job description

Applications are invited to join the busy Blood Transfusion Department of Combined Labs at University Hospitals Plymouth, as an Associate Practitioner (AP). This post will be based in the Blood Transfusion Department in Derriford hospital. The AP position directly manages a small team of 6 dedicated Transfusion ATO staff, who carry out support duties essential for the smooth running of the Department. The AP also assists the Biomedical Scientists in the examination of a wide range of clinical samples from patients, in order to determine the laboratory diagnosis, and appropriate treatment, for patients. The role is interesting, varied, and full training and supervision is provided.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide vital technical and operational support within the Blood Transfusion department, ensuring the timely and accurate processing of samples and test requests. They will be responsible for a wide range of duties including sample preparation, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, stock control, data entry, and support for Biomedical Scientists.

In addition, the role includes coordinating and line managing support staff, including rota management, training, supervision, and performance monitoring. The post holder will uphold departmental protocols, contribute to service improvement initiatives, maintain high standards of health and safety, and support quality assurance through active participation in the Quality Management System.

Excellent communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently both independently and within a team are essential. The role also involves participation in a 24/7 shift rota and occasional cover for Assistant Technical officer (ATO) staff, along with responsibility for the department's lease vehicles.

You will need to have a full clean driving licence with 2 years of driving experience.

The applicant may be required to work nightshifts and additional weekend hours at an enhanced pay rate.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

1. Work with colleagues to ensure timely processing of all blood transfusion samples and test requests.

2. Plan, prioritise, and carry out own work efficiently and accurately, following departmental procedures and SOPs.

3. Ensure stock levels of reagents, consumables, and stationery are maintained and reorder/alert appropriate members of staff to supply issues as necessary.

4. Assist in receipt, sorting, barcoding, processing, and storage of all samples received in the section.

5. Be aware of pre-analytical variables, sample acceptance criteria, and handle discrepancies according to SOPs. Using professional judgment to identify courses of action having taken into account analysis and a range of options.

6. Book test requests into the laboratory computer system (LIMS) and enter patient/test information, checking for previous results to optimise processing.

7. Prepare samples for analysis, including centrifugation, separation, aliquoting, attaching barcode labels, and completing documentation for special tests dispatched to reference labs following postal regulations.

8. Support Biomedical Scientists in preparation, running, maintenance, and decontamination of analysers and other equipment.

9. Operate analytical and other laboratory equipment safely and competently, including start-up, shutdown, scheduled maintenance, and running internal quality controls.

10. Answer telephone enquiries and provide advice on test requests, sample types, emergency requests, and results, adhering to telephone SOPs.

• For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Ability to be trained to perform the laboratory investigations relevant to the Section in which you work, irrespective of their complexity.
• Proven knowledge of quality assurance procedures.
• Proven knowledge of Quality Management
• An understanding of the basic biomedical principles underpinning the Blood Transfusion assays performed within the section
• Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory
• Proven knowledge of all assays performed and sent away by the department
• Proven knowledge of all relevant Health & Safety legislation and its application to the Section
• Proven demonstrable experience of Service Improvement within the NHS

Qaulifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent qualification, or demonstrate proven equivalent experience to this level of technical achievement
• Proven demonstrable experience of training or mentoring or line management duties.
• Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff and patients
• Good interpersonal skills

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.