Microbiology Associate Practitioner

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in the UK is looking for a dedicated individual to join their Microbiology department. The role involves performing technical processes to support the staff, processing clinical samples to diagnose diseases, and working to a flexible roster. Ideal candidates will hold a foundation degree in Healthcare Science and have experience in laboratory settings. The position offers a full-time schedule and requires adaptability to changing duties in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent is essential.
• Experience in a Microbiology department is desirable.
• Ability to handle patient information confidentially is required.
• Must be able to follow health and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical and scientific processes in Microbiology.
• Receive and process clinical patient samples.
• Work to a roster pattern including days, evenings, and weekends.

Skills

Technical processes in Microbiology

Receiving and processing patient samples

Teamwork

Verbal communication

Time management

Education

Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Please refer to job description for a list of the main duties associated with the post. The post is not exhaustive; the successful candidate must be able to adapt to changes within the role. The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and, as such, this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual to join our friendly support team in the Microbiology department at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital. The duties are to perform technical and scientific processes within the Microbiology discipline to support the BMS staff. This involves the receipt, recording and processing of a variety of clinical patient samples, to aid the diagnosis of microbial disease according to written procedures (SOPs). Full training will be provided but any previous laboratory experience will be an advantage. The post is full time (37.5h/w) and a flexible working approach will be required. The successful candidates will be required to work to a roster pattern which includes a mixture of days, evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical and scientific processes within the Microbiology discipline to support the BMS staff.
• Receive, record and process a variety of clinical patient samples to aid the diagnosis of microbial disease according to written procedures (SOPs).
• Work to a roster pattern including a mixture of days, evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria: Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent (IBMS Certificate of achievement part 2).
• Desirable criteria: ECDL; Experience of working in a pathology department.
• Desirable criteria: Experience of demonstrating tasks to others.
• Desirable criteria: Experience of working in a Microbiology department.
• Desirable criteria: Experience of quality management systems.
• Desirable criteria: Experience of Microsoft Office packages; computer literate.
• Able to handle patient information confidentially; able to work accurately with prolonged concentration; able to follow protocols and health and safety procedures.
• Desirable criteria: Knowledge of routine Microbiology practices; Knowledge of lean systems and tools; Able to use own initiative.
• Able to work as part of a team; organised; able to multitask; good verbal communication; good time management skills.
• Desirable criteria: Able to lead activities and projects.

About the Trust

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust:

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application will be shortlisted.

Disclosure and DBS

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS): If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006), any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.

Equality and Recruitment Notes

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We aim to protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.