Applications are invited for a full time Band 4 Associate Practitioner from persons who have a BTEC Diploma in Healthcare Science Level 4 or an appropriate level of education or experience of working in a busy NHS pathology department. Anyone studying towards this qualification may apply. Experience of working in an NHS Pathology Laboratory with automated equipment is essential as one of the key roles will be the maintenance, preparation and in some instances the running of instruments for the next 24 hour period.
You will be joining a busy blood sciences department where you will be supporting the state registered Healthcare Scientists in the provision of an effective, high quality service delivered to healthcare professionals across the county. There will be some management roles involved in coordinating Medical Laboratory Assistants and other key personnel in the department.
Working patterns will generally involve working several weeks of core days (08:30-17:00) with at least one week of twilight shifts (16:00-24:00) every month. However, cover for Annual Leave, Sickness etc. will be required for the twilight shift on a reasonably regular basis. Other shifts including weekend and overnight periods are not expected as routine but may be required on an occasional basis. Cross site working in both Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospital locations will be required as part of the role.
The role supports our state registered Healthcare Scientists in the provision of an effective, 24/7 high quality ISO 15189:2022 accredited service, processing over 1,200,000 patient requests (13.2 million tests) per annum to enable the department to play a key role in supporting allied healthcare professionals who are reliant on our service. Work focus is mainly on supporting the state registered Healthcare Scientists by undertaking a range of laboratory tests which are complementary to their roles but doesn’t include validation or interpretation. Maintenance of pre-analytical equipment, laboratory consumables are key elements of the role as is the support for the laboratory sample referral service.
To co-ordinate the activities of Medical Laboratory Assistants. To act as mentor and assist in their training.
It is necessary to have an understanding of all sections of the Chemical Pathology Department and an awareness of the work of other disciplines within Pathology. There will be a regular requirement for you to work in Cheltenham to support Clinical research workloads.
The position will involve working routine days (08:30 to 17:00), twilight shifts (16:00 to 24:00) at an anticipated frequency of 1 in every 4 weeks. Some late shift working 13:00-21:30 maybe required as additional requests from the management team.
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
- To develop and maintain a good working knowledge and competency in certain designated test procedures in the laboratory.
- To check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures
- To recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times and to enter sample details onto the TCLE system
- To prepare samples for analysis. This may include barcode labelling, centrifugation and preparation of aliquots, and distribution of samples to the appropriate sections for analysis
- To recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times
- To prepare samples for dispatch to other laboratories in accordance with postal regulations including samples requiring special transport conditions.
- To liaise with Portering services staff, and drivers (internal and external) to arrange appropriate transportation.
- To use complex and expensive analysers, pre- and post-analytical equipment under the supervision of HCPC registered Healthcare Scientists.
- To process internal quality control (IQC) material and evaluate results, drawing to the attention of BMS staff, any results that fall outside the IQC pre-set limits
- To process external quality assurance (EQA) material and to return the results to the scheme organiser, after review by a senior BMS
- To perform regular maintenance of analysers and other equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records
- To perform decontamination procedures on centrifuges, water baths, fridges and other equipment as required
- To carry out initial stages of instrument troubleshooting as agreed with Healthcare Scientist staff
- To prepare and make up reagents, Quality Control and Quality Assurance material, under the indirect supervision of Healthcare Scientist staff
- To monitor stock levels of laboratory consumables and reagents, rotating stock, replacing low levels and notifying appropriate staff of items that require re-ordering or are past their expiry dates
- To perform laboratory tests by manual techniques, under indirect supervision of Healthcare Scientist staff
- To manually enter test results onto worksheets and the laboratory computer system; to notify Healthcare Scientist staff of significantly abnormal results
- To deal with diverse and complex telephone enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given
- To record all telephone messages accurately and ensure their timely communication to the appropriate staff member
- To retrieve and telephone authorised results including urgent results to the appropriate location and appropriate level of healthcare professional. To record details of all calls in order to maintain an accurate audit trail
- To maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment in accordance with departmental Health and Safety Policies and protocols
- Daily handling of potentially highly infectious pathological samples, sometimes with unpleasant smells/odours.
- Limited but safe exposure to chemicals
- Regular long periods of VDU work and data entry
- To Work with absolute accuracy and speed during prolonged periods of concentration required for interpretation of results and validation / authorisation of reports
- Daily pressures and stress of managing a high volume of work, ensuring turn-around-times are met for reports
- Exposure to low-level noise from laboratory equipment
- Daily use of personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves, goggles, sometimes working in hot conditions
- Minimal lifting and moving of equipment or items
- To work as a lone practitioner as part of participation in shift working (for periods up to 12 hrs.)
- Make frequent repetitive movements
- Requirement for a considerable amount of manual dexterity in processing paediatric samples and maintaining equipment. Maintenance often involves use of delicate instruments whilst working on highly sensitive and complex analytical equipment where accuracy of setup is crucial to the delivery of correct results.
- Requirement for cross-site working, role will be predominantly in GRH but there will be a need to work in CGH in some roster cycles.
- Attendance and completion of the hospital induction programme
- Completion of Pathology induction programme
- Annual attendance of mandatory Trust training programmes
- Attendance at departmental meetings as required
- To assist with the induction of new staff, assist in the training and monitoring of less experienced Medical Laboratory Assistants and to act as a mentor when required
- Participation in formal individual performance reviews (IPR) in line with Trust policy
- Work towards a personal development plan, including that appropriate competencies are maintained and kept up to date
- The post-holder is expected to develop and maintain good working relationships with:
Fellow members of the department, including consultants, Healthcare Scientists, MLAs and clerical staff
Staff from other pathology disciplines
Staff from other hospital departments
Clinical and other health care professional staff
Patients
Supplier Representatives
Engineers
- Communication with clinicians, laboratory staff and nursing staff from GHNSHT and other NHS organisations regarding samples required, appropriateness of tests and results reporting times on the lab investigations
- Communicate with specimen reception to ensure that specimens are received in a timely manner, especially urgent specimens, and that a member of laboratory staff is notified on receipt of an urgent specimen.
Additional Contact Details
Linford Rees Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Manager 03004225385
Mo Degnan Clinical Biochemistry Deputy Laboratory Manager 03004225206
