Associate Practitioner in Immunology

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Plymouth is looking for a motivated Associate Practitioner to join the Immunology Laboratory. The successful candidate will perform laboratory duties and maintain equipment, ensuring high-quality testing services. A NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science is required. This role offers opportunities for personal development in a caring environment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relevant Health & Safety legislation.
• Experience supervising laboratory staff.
• Precision in reception process.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic laboratory and technical duties.
• Conduct routine and specialist analytical testing.
• Ensure timely processing of patient samples.
• Maintain stock levels and assist in sample processing.

Skills

Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory

Excellent communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent

Job description

**This is a re-advertisement of a previously advertised post that was unable to progress. Please note: this listing may close early if a high number of applications are received. You are strongly advised to apply early.**

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory conducts haematological malignancy testing for the South West Peninsula. Our services include essential immunology flow cytometry assays, such as CD4+ testing for lymphocyte and B cell subsets, as well as functional assays.

We are seeking a motivated, conscientious, and caring individual to join our team as an Associate Practitioner in the Immunology Laboratory.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform basic laboratory and technical duties to ensure the smooth operation of the Flow Cytometry Laboratory.
• Provide technical support by conducting routine and specialist analytical testing on various biological samples.
• Maintain and operate specialist equipment valued up to £1 million.
• Carry out general administrative tasks.

***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 work together with senior staff and support staff in the Flow Cytometry Laboratory to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost-effective service.
• The post holder will ensure the timely processing of patient samples, serving all those patients attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula. The department performs 4.7 million tests annually and employs 123 staff.

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 team on 01752 432100. 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

• Working with colleagues to ensure Immunology in DCL delivers timely processing of all samples and test requests.
• Ensure stock levels are maintained and recorded.
• Support the Biomedical Scientists in the preparation, running and maintaining other analysers in the section.
• Assist in the receipt, processing and storage of all samples including those for which the department derives income.
• To plan and prioritise own work under supervision and be fully aware of service requirements.
• To ensure that your own work is carried out efficiently, accurately and in accordance with departmental procedures.
• To identify, prepare by uncapping and loading onto analysers samples for analysis. Unload, rerun if required, recap, rack away for storage in a refrigerator or cold room.
• Ensure that samples received match work lists, the patient ID is correct before testing and there is sufficient sample to perform the assay.
• To schedule, load and run a range of Quality Control material and to monitor the results of those Quality Control tests, bringing out of range results to the attention of senior staff.
• Answer telephone enquiries regarding results and other general laboratory issues e.g. giving advice on the correct conditions and sample type for a particular test request.

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven knowledge of all relevant Health & Safety legislation and its application to the Section
• Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory
• Proven knowledge of all assays performed and sent away by the department

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or equivalent demonstrable experience to the level of an NVQ Level 3 In laboratories Science
• Demonstrable experience of supervising laboratory staff
• Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff and patients
• Precision in reception process
• 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.