Job summary An Associate Practitioner works as part of the technical team, supervised by experienced Biomedical Scientists and managed by the Laboratory Team Leaders and Operational Head of Department. Once trained an associate practitioner is required to assist the Biomedical Scientists to supervise and train the lower grade Biomedical Assistant staff. The post holder will be required to work on sites as appropriate for the delivery of the service and may be asked to work across sites within the trust. The post holder will be required to support a 24/7 service and shift patterns will cover all hours as required. Staff will work as part of a team of Associate Practitioners and will be rostered unsociable shifts as part of that team. Works of part of a large team which consists of a mixture of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Assistants. Main duties of the job Technical/scientific: Undertake routine and non-routine tests or activities as identified by individual laboratories, up to but not including the point of validation, with exception of auto-authorized procedures. Work to standard operating procedures. Use scientific knowledge to recognise incorrect results and take action to correct errors. Be able to perform laboratory tests requiring a high degree of manual dexterity. Equipment maintenance: Responsible for monitoring and performing daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of centrifuges, automated analysers and other laboratory equipment, ensuring that logs are completed by all staff. Check the safety and functioning of all equipment perform simple troubleshooting and report malfunctions to BMS staff. Stock Control: Maintain sufficient stocks of reagents, supplies etc. for the day-to-day operation of the laboratory. Maintain stock control records and order more stock where a system has been set up for this. Liaise with Microbiology and Pathology stores staff to ensure deliveries are correct and received on time. This includes lifting and handling of a variety of stock items. Works of part of a large team which consists of a mixture of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Assistants. https://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/ About us Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals: high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact, and research and education excellence And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities. Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all: we are compassionate, we are proud, we are inclusive, and we are one team This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve. About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/ Date posted 14 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum / pro rota for part time hours Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 358-6993236-CSI-E Job locations Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW Job description Job responsibilities The list of duties as described by the Operational Head of Department will also include: Infection Control: To maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trusts standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control. Health and Safety: To co-operate fully in adhering to the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety. Including: Taking reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Immediately reporting to their immediate manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice. Reporting any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form. Using protective clothing and equipment appropriately where provided. Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co-operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings. Governance: To actively participate in governance activities to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct. Including: Ensuring ongoing compliance with local and national policies as required for UKAS standards. Perform audits: as required by Senior BMS staff, General manager or the Head of Service or there deputies. Information and IT: Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures for own work area are kept up to date and displayed appropriately. Assist in proposing, developing and implementing new procedures. Use word processing and spread sheet packages to produce draft SOPs, audit reports and laboratory data. Planning: Plan and organise own workload and will be required to assign work to Biomedical assistants. Supervisory: Participate in the training of new biomedical assistants and associate practitioners. Supervise biomedical assistants and less experienced staff, allocating work, training, etc. Quality Control: Perform quality control as appropriate and report any out of consensus results to BMS staff for investigation Other: Perform other technical duties as required within post-holders training and competence. To perform any other duties required by the Departments General Manager or deputies, commensurate with grade. Training relevant to this post, including safety aspects in the handling of biological material, will be given. Lifting and Handling of stock when delivered to the laboratory Job description Job responsibilities The list of duties as described by the Operational Head of Department will also include: Infection Control: To maintain a clean, safe environment, ensuring adherence to the Trusts standards of cleanliness, hygiene and infection control. Health and Safety: To co-operate fully in adhering to the Trust policies and procedures with regard to health and safety. Including: Taking reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Immediately reporting to their immediate manager any shortcomings in health and safety procedures and practice. Reporting any accidents or dangerous incidents to their immediate manager and safety representative as early as possible and submit a completed accident/incident form. Using protective clothing and equipment appropriately where provided. Whilst the aim of the Trust is to promote a co-operative and constructive view of health and safety concerns in the organisation, all staff must be aware that a wilful or irresponsible disregard for safety matters may give rise to disciplinary proceedings. Governance: To actively participate in governance activities to ensure that the highest standards of care and business conduct. Including: Ensuring ongoing compliance with local and national policies as required for UKAS standards. Perform audits: as required by Senior BMS staff, General manager or the Head of Service or there deputies. Information and IT: Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures for own work area are kept up to date and displayed appropriately. Assist in proposing, developing and implementing new procedures. Use word processing and spread sheet packages to produce draft SOPs, audit reports and laboratory data. Planning: Plan and organise own workload and will be required to assign work to Biomedical assistants. Supervisory: Participate in the training of new biomedical assistants and associate practitioners. Supervise biomedical assistants and less experienced staff, allocating work, training, etc. Quality Control: Perform quality control as appropriate and report any out of consensus results to BMS staff for investigation Other: Perform other technical duties as required within post-holders training and competence. To perform any other duties required by the Departments General Manager or deputies, commensurate with grade. Training relevant to this post, including safety aspects in the handling of biological material, will be given. Lifting and Handling of stock when delivered to the laboratory Person Specification Training & Qualifications Essential Has appropriate Level 5 Qualification or equivalent Desirable Keyboard or IT qualification Experience Essential Proven experience in a UKAS accredited laboratory covering duties explained in J.D Desirable Experience of working in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Communication and relationship Essential Evidence of working and integrating as part of a team Analytical and Judgement skill Essential Evidence of working accurately and methodically following verbal and written instructions Desirable Knowledge and understanding of clinical microbiology laboratory tests Planning and organisation Essential Supervisory skills Can prioritise work and use initiative when appropriate. Desirable Can demonstrate able to work under pressure or to deadlines. Person Specification Training & Qualifications Essential Has appropriate Level 5 Qualification or equivalent Desirable Keyboard or IT qualification Experience Essential Proven experience in a UKAS accredited laboratory covering duties explained in J.D Desirable Experience of working in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Communication and relationship Essential Evidence of working and integrating as part of a team Analytical and Judgement skill Essential Evidence of working accurately and methodically following verbal and written instructions Desirable Knowledge and understanding of clinical microbiology laboratory tests Planning and organisation Essential Supervisory skills Can prioritise work and use initiative when appropriate. Desirable Can demonstrate able to work under pressure or to deadlines. 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 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Address Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW Employer's website https://www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)