Associate Practitioner - Microbiology

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in the UK is seeking an Associate Practitioner in the Microbiology Department. The role involves advanced administrative and operational support in a laboratory environment, contributing significantly to the clinical laboratory service and patient care. Successful candidates will participate in ongoing training and have opportunities for professional development in a collaborative team setting.

Qualifications

• Working towards a Level 4 science qualification.
• GCSE/O levels in Maths, English Language, Biology, and Chemistry.
• BSc, HNC, Foundation Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific procedures on biological samples.
• Maintain laboratory standards and quality assurance.
• Participate in the service delivery and laboratory management.

Skills

IT Skills

Protocol Compliance

Sample Preparation

Education

Level 4 Science Qualification (BSc, HND, Foundation Degree)

GCSEs in Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry

Job description

The post holder will take on operational and/or administrative responsibility for a specific area or to provide advanced administrative and operational support within a laboratory area. This role may include supervision of PSWs involved in the role. Advanced training will be given to allow the post holder to work without direct supervision, referring to the line manager of the section when required.

As an Associate Practitioner in the Microbiology Department, the post holder will contribute to the provision of the clinical laboratory service, as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and support workers, performing work activities in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

The post holder will follow an in-service certificated competency training programme. Under the guidance of qualified staff, the Associate Practitioner will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other pathological processes.

The post holder will be trained to make decisions that have an impact on the end result in order to facilitate the provision of accurate and timely reports within available resources.

Main duties of the job

• Act in a way that promotes patient care and maintains the integrity of the Department
• Maintain and promote the professional image of South of Tyne and Wear Pathology Services and Gateshead Health NHS Trust.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times in line with the Trust Information Management and Technology (IM&T) Information Security Policy.
• Deal with members of the Public/Patients in a Professional manner.
• Comply with good work practices in accordance with the Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Health and Safety Policies.
• Prioritise work in accordance with guidance from operating procedures and senior members of staff.
• Follow good laboratory practice in line with professional guidelines and Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd standards.
• Work within the Terms and Conditions of Employment of your Trust Contract.
• Report incidents, accidents and defects according to Trust and Directorate guidelines.
• Participate in the maintenance of the quality system by participating in QC and EQA schemes.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job responsibilities

• Participate in the laboratory rotation through appropriate areas of the department.
• Deal promptly and appropriately with any sample identified as urgent to ensure that timely and accurate results are available to the requester.
• Participate in the regular review and update of the Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures as directed by the Departmental Quality Lead or Deputy
• Assist in the maintenance and preparation of reagents and equipment, as specified in Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure maintenance and control of stock as appropriate.
• Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork
• Participation in the Departments 24/7 service, which includes working late shifts and through the night as deemed necessary for service delivery by the Departmental Manager.
• Contribute to the Departmental delivery of any specialised Patient-Focused Clinics requiring dedicated staffing allocation
• Provide information for Multi-Disciplinary Meetings as appropriate
• Contribute to the provision of materials, advice and support for the Clinical Users of the service
• Provide and receive routine information verbally, in writing and electronically to inform clinical users of the service, patients, the public or other external contacts
• Assist in the analysis of routine and urgent clinical samples in accordance with laboratory procedures using specialist optical, manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory equipment.
• Ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines and laboratory procedures.
• Ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out, and recorded, on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to being used for patient investigations.
• Measure and monitor the quality of laboratory investigations using appropriate internal and external quality procedures.
• Take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods,
• Carry out first line troubleshooting of equipment or methods, keeping a proper record of all actions and communications.
• Ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively.
• Enter patient data into IT systems
• Perform specific procedures as deemed necessary by the Departmental Manager aligned to the competence assessment programme specific to each Department.
• Prepare and process biological samples using manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory equipment.
• Prepare and perform a limited range of diagnostic serology and molecular tests
• Prepare samples for more complex automated processes.
• Interpret preliminary results from a range of environmental and clinical samples
• Report negative results from a range of laboratory tests
• Monitor and re-order reagents and other consumables as delegated by senior staff
• Enter laboratory results from reference laboratory reports.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Working towards a level 4 science qualification (BSc, HND, Foundation degree)
• GCSE/O levels in Maths, English Language, Biology and Chemistry A level in science subject / HEFC science level 3 or above, BTEC national diploma / ANVC in Science. BSc, HNC, Foundation Degree.

Experience

• Previous Biomedical Laboratory Experience or equivalent
• Previous experience in Department. Supervisory training course attended/qualification gained

Skills

• Ability to work with IT
• Ability to follow protocol
• Experience preparing and processing samples

Personal Attributes

• Team Worker
• Self Motivation

Special Requirements

• Flexibility in working patterns, inc. working lates and nights

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.