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Main area: Pathology
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 shift in operation)
Job ref: 409-6843547
Site: Whiston Hospital
Town: Prescot
Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 02/02/2025 23:59
Interview date: 10/02/2025
Job overview
Associate Practitioners are important members of a scientific team and will always ensure that the workflow and turnaround of samples is adequately maintained. Associate Practitioners are able, after training, to perform the less complex analytical tests within the department. The post holder will be expected to take a full part in any weekend/out of hours service agreed by the Trust, including a 24-hour shift system.
Main duties of the job
KEY DUTIES
* Under the supervision of a trained Biomedical Scientist, carry out microbiological work on specimens from patients with known or suspected infections in accordance with appropriate training and ability to demonstrate competence in handling clinical samples.
* Participate in training and development. Each individual is encouraged to supply suggestions for new techniques and technology and use their initiative in the improvement of the department.
* Provide and sustain a high-quality service and to be involved in the maintenance of quality goals.
Working for our organisation
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has formally come together as one Trust.
The new Trust is called Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and all services at all health and care sites continue to operate as they currently are.
By bringing our teams and resources together, we can focus on new and exciting visions and plans for our people and patients, more job opportunities for our staff, and better outcomes for our patients and communities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Technical
* Receive, sort, identify and label specimens as per Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs).
* Identify to Senior/Qualified staff any specimens and/or requests, which may cause problems (e.g., Health and Safety, inadequate identification and/or sample quality).
* Prepare specimens for dispatch to other laboratories; when appropriate complete request forms and/or organise transport as required.
* Report to a senior BMS any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
* Undertake routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments.
* Ensure all clinical material is stored according to departmental policies.
* Ensure all clinical material is disposed of according to departmental policies.
* Assist in clinical and non-clinical audits, trials, and research projects as directed by department management.
* Undertake simple manual, semi-automated, and fully automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis through all sections within the department as required.
* Use equipment in accordance with departmental policies and suppliers’ instructions.
* Plan and organise a workload which can be varied and complex.
* Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
* Carry out corrective action or inform senior staff when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
* Prepare reagents required for analysers and manual laboratory investigations and record reagent batch numbers.
* Record and monitor data from non-analytical equipment.
* Follow protocols to process departmental workload including MRSA Testing and Sensitivity Testing.
* Work in a safe manner.
Communication
* Receive telephone calls and action as appropriate.
* Contact service users in case of any problems with received samples.
* Communicate results verbally to persons authorized to receive them in a clear and concise manner.
* Provide advice and information to laboratory, ward, GP staff, and patients regarding samples and sample handling.
* Book patients for Infertility Investigations, requiring tact and sensitivity.
* Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section.
* Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate.
Other Duties
* Maintain appropriate stock levels within the section.
* Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with departmental policies and suppliers instructions.
* Participate in the internal and external safety audits as appropriate.
* All staff have a responsibility to report any risks, clinical and non-clinical accidents and incidents/potential incidents promptly.
* The Trust is positively committed to the promotion and management of diversity and equality of opportunity.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent experience
* Educated to GCSE Level in English and Maths or equivalent qualification
* Recent IT training either in-house or qualification
* Qualifications relating to Pathology
Knowledge & Experience
* Understanding of working in Pathology Laboratory
* Experience of demonstrating tasks to others
* Ability to work under demanding circumstances and to deadlines
* Awareness of confidentiality issues
* Awareness of health and safety issues
Skills
* Ability to follow protocols
* Ability to multitask
* Ability to acquire theoretical knowledge required undertaking laboratory tasks
* Ability to use own initiative
* Ability to work as part of a team
* Ability to work flexibly to provide 24/7 cover
Other
* Willingness to undergo continued training and development
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications, we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective, and experience you bring.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you is shared with the recruiting manager.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, 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.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
We will consider requests for flexible working. We encourage you to discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Name: Diane Martin Baez
Job title: Microbiology Service Lead
Email address: diane.martinbaez@merseyandwestlancs.nhs.uk
Telephone number: 0151 290 4140
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