Job summary The Quality Assurance Laboratory at the Welsh Blood Service has a vacancy for an Associate Practitioner. The tenure of this post is permanent and is part of a multidisciplinary team. The Welsh Blood Service is proud of its partnerships with blood donors from across Wales, to provide the best quality services for patients in Wales. The post offers the successful applicant the opportunity to work in the Quality team; we welcome candidates with a keen interest in science, laboratory, and quality-focussed employment. This is a leadership role; the post holder will facilitate the specialist technical and associated Quality Control (QC) testing programmes of the Laboratory. This will include utilising varied technologies such as those associated to Haematology, Haemostasis and Flow cytometry, to analyse samples and establish process capability metric data. Environmental sampling to monitor the cleanliness of critical areas and equipment and calibration and validation of cold chain monitoring systems. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply. Main duties of the job The post holder will be trained to Diploma level in a biological science and have experience/knowledge of operating in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environment to ensure that the Quality Assurance Laboratory meets its Regulatory needs. The post holder will, alongside Biomedical Scientists, have a supervisory role and be responsible for the organisation of work, supervision of staff and participation in the routine work of the Quality Assurance Laboratory, to ensure that donated whole blood is quality control tested as required. The successful applicant will work to a level to ensure all processes meet the requirements of the UK guidelines for Blood Transfusion and the EU Directive as inspected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). There will be a potential requirement to work variable shift patterns according to the exigencies of the service. This will include working Bank Holidays. About us Here at Velindre University NHS Trust we are extremely proud of the specialist services we provide across the whole of Wales in our cutting-edge Velindre Cancer Centre and ouraward-winning Welsh Blood Service, as well as the expertise of our corporate functions that bring the two divisions together. We are also fortunate to host the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Health Technology Wales and have developed strong partnership working with these expert services. Formed in 1999, the Trust has a dedicated workforce that continuously strives to apply the key principles of value based healthcare through a wide array of roles. We play a vital role in the communities we support and have ambitious plans for the future to continue to improve the services we deliver. We strive to maintain our core values in everything we do by being; accountable, bold, caring and dynamic, and ensuring the best possible care for our patients and donors. If you want to work for an organisation that prides itself on making a real difference and offers exciting career opportunities then Velindre University NHS Trust is the place for you. Visit our website to find out more https://velindre.nhs.wales/ Date posted 17 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,928 to £29,551 a year Per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 120-ACS006-0225 Job locations Welsh Blood Service, Ely Valley Road, Talbot Green CF72 9WB Job description Job responsibilities You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac Job description Job responsibilities You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac Person Specification Knowledge Essential Knowledge of GMP Has a basic understanding of change control Understand the importance of incident reporting Experience Essential Supervising staff Desirable Experience of working in a laboratory environment Skills Essential Good interpersonal skills Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written format Computer literate Ability to work under pressure Ability to lead team members to meet challenging targets Ability to prioritise workload Ability to get on with all grades of staff Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone Dexterity Good organisational skills Ability to deliver to deadlines Desirable Have experience of working with NWA Quality analyst application Person Specification Knowledge Essential Knowledge of GMP Has a basic understanding of change control Understand the importance of incident reporting Experience Essential Supervising staff Desirable Experience of working in a laboratory environment Skills Essential Good interpersonal skills Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written format Computer literate Ability to work under pressure Ability to lead team members to meet challenging targets Ability to prioritise workload Ability to get on with all grades of staff Ability to work effectively as part of a team or alone Dexterity Good organisational skills Ability to deliver to deadlines Desirable Have experience of working with NWA Quality analyst application 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Welsh Blood Service Address Welsh Blood Service, Ely Valley Road, Talbot Green CF72 9WB Employer's website https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)