Public Health Wales

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 13 July 2025

Job summary

Public Heath Wales Microbiology operates as a network of laboratories with Regional Laboratories across Wales.

The Band 4 Associate Practitioner post within our Hot lab team based at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil is to undertake routine laboratory procedures with supervision. The successful candidates will gain experience in a diagnostic laboratory service using rapid molecular platforms .

This post would suit candidates that have proven Microbiology laboratory experience and associated work based education and competency or a science graduate. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to rotate through a number of sections during their employment, gaining experience in a number of methodologies to include molecular science and microbiological diagnostic testing. We are looking to roll out training beyond covid analysers and this will eventually include areas within Bacteriology and virology. We have well established career pathways and so this could be a brilliant launch pad for a professional career in medical microbiology.

Main duties of the job

Duties will include preparing, checking and processing of samples as well as data entry into the laboratory information system. The successful candidate will have good communication skills, technical ability, good hand-eye coordination amongst others.

Work undertaken by the COVID team has been paramount to Public Health Wales' response to COVID-19. The team will also respond to any further outbreaks/winter pressures.

The Microbiology network provides services across the 24/7 period based on agreed shift patterns. This can differ based on need but all post holders will be expected to participate in 24/7 working either at their main base or in support of other sites should the need arise or as part of the agreed local rota. Where excess travel is required, this will be taken into account around start / finish times and travel expenses.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.

Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Details

Date posted

01 July 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

028-ACS030-0725

Job locations

Prince Charles Hospital

Gurnos Road

Merthyr Tydfil

CF47 9DT


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

Qualifications

Essential

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or 2, Vocational qualifications level 4 or 5, foundation degree (e.g. Biological Sciences) or other diploma or equivalent level of knowledge, or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience of working within a Microbiology laboratory or University Laboratory.

Desirable

  • Experience of staff supervision.

Skills

Desirable

  • Evidence of good manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination. Adept at using automation or immunoassay analysers. Knowledge of health and safety
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1 or 2, Vocational qualifications level 4 or 5, foundation degree (e.g. Biological Sciences) or other diploma or equivalent level of knowledge, or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Recent experience of working within a Microbiology laboratory or University Laboratory.

Desirable

  • Experience of staff supervision.

Skills

Desirable

  • Evidence of good manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination. Adept at using automation or immunoassay analysers. Knowledge of health and safety

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

Public Health Wales

Address

Prince Charles Hospital

Gurnos Road

Merthyr Tydfil

CF47 9DT


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Prince Charles Hospital

Gurnos Road

Merthyr Tydfil

CF47 9DT


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Biomedical Scientist

Rhiannon Jones

Rhiannon.Jones31@wales.nhs.uk

01685728728

Details

Date posted

01 July 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

028-ACS030-0725

Job locations

Prince Charles Hospital

Gurnos Road

Merthyr Tydfil

CF47 9DT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Public Health Wales's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)