Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner - Microbiology

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Associate Practitioners (AP) are responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological specimens, contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. APs follow a program of in-house training, and work in conjunction with the Specialist Biomedical Scientists and the Biomedical Support Workers, to form an integral part of the laboratory team.

Main duties of the job

1. At all times to act in accordance with and adhere to laboratory and Trust procedures and protocols.

2. To rotate (after suitable training and competency testing) through all sections of the Microbiology department.

3. To be responsible for health and safety issues pertinent to diagnostic laboratory work.

4. To use personal protective equipment as required by the laboratory's health and safety procedures.

5. To carry out the pre analytical processing of samples received into the laboratory.

6. To process clinical specimens for bacteriological culture and virology testing.

7. After suitable training, to use highly technical laboratory equipment in the course of their duties including maintenance and cleaning of the equipment.

8. To participate in rotas covering Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday mornings as required.

9. To participate in mandatory training requirements of the Trust and attend training sessions and educational meetings as appropriate.

10. To participate in annual joint review in accordance with the Trust appraisal policy.

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Details

Date posted

10 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7058262

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Job description

Job responsibilities

To maintain knowledge and experience equivalent to NVQ level 3 in general laboratory science.

To develop and maintain knowledge of bacteriology cultures, specifically MRSA and perform any relevant follow-up work.

To develop and maintain knowledge of serological screening of infectious diseases on automated test platforms.

To develop and maintain knowledge of molecular techniques on automated test platforms.

To be able to develop highly accurate manual skills for tasks such as pipetting and specimen manipulation.

To undertake effective time management in the daily planning of own work.

To be able to make decisions regarding the quality of specimens and the validity of tests data and ensure any anomalies / errors are reported to senior staff as soon as possible.

To communicate effectively with colleagues regarding test procedures or test data and attend departmental meetings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To maintain knowledge and experience equivalent to NVQ level 3 in general laboratory science.

To develop and maintain knowledge of bacteriology cultures, specifically MRSA and perform any relevant follow-up work.

To develop and maintain knowledge of serological screening of infectious diseases on automated test platforms.

To develop and maintain knowledge of molecular techniques on automated test platforms.

To be able to develop highly accurate manual skills for tasks such as pipetting and specimen manipulation.

To undertake effective time management in the daily planning of own work.

To be able to make decisions regarding the quality of specimens and the validity of tests data and ensure any anomalies / errors are reported to senior staff as soon as possible.

To communicate effectively with colleagues regarding test procedures or test data and attend departmental meetings.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • A-level Science (or equivalent)
  • NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science (or equivalent)

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 4 in Laboratory Sciences (or equivalent)
  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement
  • Health and Safety training

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a high-throughput environment
  • Previous experience in the NHS or a laboratory setting

Desirable

  • Experience in use of laboratory equipment and instruments
  • Experience in use of automated laboratory systems
  • Understanding of ISO15189

Knowledge/Skill

Essential

  • Computer literacy
  • A good telephone manner
  • Organised and self motivated
  • PC and word processing experience

Desirable

  • An understanding of medical terminology
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • A-level Science (or equivalent)
  • NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science (or equivalent)

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 4 in Laboratory Sciences (or equivalent)
  • IBMS Certificate of Achievement
  • Health and Safety training

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working in a high-throughput environment
  • Previous experience in the NHS or a laboratory setting

Desirable

  • Experience in use of laboratory equipment and instruments
  • Experience in use of automated laboratory systems
  • Understanding of ISO15189

Knowledge/Skill

Essential

  • Computer literacy
  • A good telephone manner
  • Organised and self motivated
  • PC and word processing experience

Desirable

  • An understanding of medical terminology

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

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Virology Section Lead

Summer D'Kadik

gwh.serology@nhs.net

01793604798

Details

Date posted

10 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7058262

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Supporting documents

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