The associate practitioner role will be based in the department of Virology. We are looking for applicants with clinical laboratory experience to participate in the activities of the department. Primarily the associate practitioner would be providing the technical support of the diagnostic service to the Trust and other users, in accordance with departmental protocols and under appropriate supervision.
The associate practitioner will be expected to prepare specimens for investigation, set up automated equipment, run QC, and operate analysers. The associate practitioner may be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in their own area.
The Laboratory support technician will participate primarily in night and late shifts and Saturday and Sunday work where appropriate.
The associate practitioner will be involved in supporting reception, sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples. Expected to assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples submitted to the laboratory and to take remedial action when required.
All specimens will be processed for screening, diagnostic and clinical management of patients using correct techniques as well as complex, specialised equipment. Along with the operation maintenance and calibration of specialist automated equipment the associate practitioner will be expected to apply the level of manual dexterity needed for the processing of pathological specimens using aseptic technique.
There may be times when the associate practitioner will be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area. Along with training of new staff in MLA procedures and protocols within the laboratory.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.
Knowledge and Personal Development
• To gain specialist technical and analytical knowledge by participating in ongoing specialist training and continuous professional development.
• To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA), NEQAS scheme and IQA/IQC procedures.
• To maintain knowledge necessary to participate in the highly specialised laboratory sections associated with a teaching hospital, on a rotational basis under supervision from experienced Biomedical Scientists.
• To have gained the necessary specialist knowledge and skills sufficient to work independently, seeking advice only when deemed necessary.
• To participate in Personal Development Plans and Appraisals, as an appraisee.
• To attend laboratory methods meetings and be aware of any changes to methodology.
• To maintain knowledge of operational policies and procedures through use of the document management system.
• To actively participate in the in-service training programme.
• To attend relevant training courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers during staff appraisal sessions.
For further information please refer to the attached JD/Person Spec.
This advert closes on Monday 17 Feb 2025