Job summary
The associate practitioner role will be based in the department of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I). We are looking for applicants with clinical laboratory experience in H&I to participate in the activities of the department.
This is a fixed-term/ secondment position, is open to both internal and external candidates.
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.
Main duties of the job
The associate practitioner will be involved in supporting specimen reception, sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples. They will be 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 for manual DNA extraction.
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.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was created on 1 October 2019 following the merger of two adult acute Trusts, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The merger provides an opportunity to reconfigure services in a way that provides the best healthcare services to the city and improves the quality of care and health outcomes that patients experience.
The Trust runs Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
It serves a core population of around 630,000 people across Merseyside as well as providing a range of highly specialist services to a catchment area of more than two million people in the North West region and beyond.
To hear more about our achievements click here https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/media/13089/1606-annual-report-booklet_final.pdf
Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook - Liverpool University Hospitals Careers
Instagram - @LUHFTcareers
Twitter - @LUHFTcareers
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. To deal helpfully, competently, and confidentially with patients, staff and laboratory visitors.
Scientific and Technical Reception, sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples. To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples submitted to the laboratory and to take remedial action when required. To process specimens that are used for screening, diagnostic and clinical management of patients using correct techniques as well as complex, specialised equipment To apply the level of manual dexterity needed for the processing of pathological specimens using aseptic technique. To interpret clinical request forms to plan and prioritise workload according to clinical urgency and to liaise with medical staff if required. To record the investigations indicated on the clinical request forms into the laboratory computer system. To analyse clinical samples using appropriate kits and procedures and entering the results of the investigations into the computer system for Biomedical Scientist to release reports for medical staff authorisation. To ensure the satisfactory completion and validation of automated assays and record the results of control values and the results of the investigations into the computer system. Preparing and storing of specimens in low temperature storage systems. To troubleshoot and carry out routine maintenance on specialist equipment and perform calibration and implement alternative methods in event of failure. Use of complex, expensive and highly specialised equipment such as the continuous monitoring, automated detection systems to analyse clinical samples. Contributing to the general reception area May be required to supervise, organise, and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area. Participate in training of new staff in MLA procedures and protocols within the laboratory. Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out. May input/interrogate test results for others. To participate in MLA duties as and when required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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. To deal helpfully, competently, and confidentially with patients, staff and laboratory visitors.
Scientific and Technical Reception, sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples. To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples submitted to the laboratory and to take remedial action when required. To process specimens that are used for screening, diagnostic and clinical management of patients using correct techniques as well as complex, specialised equipment To apply the level of manual dexterity needed for the processing of pathological specimens using aseptic technique. To interpret clinical request forms to plan and prioritise workload according to clinical urgency and to liaise with medical staff if required. To record the investigations indicated on the clinical request forms into the laboratory computer system. To analyse clinical samples using appropriate kits and procedures and entering the results of the investigations into the computer system for Biomedical Scientist to release reports for medical staff authorisation. To ensure the satisfactory completion and validation of automated assays and record the results of control values and the results of the investigations into the computer system. Preparing and storing of specimens in low temperature storage systems. To troubleshoot and carry out routine maintenance on specialist equipment and perform calibration and implement alternative methods in event of failure. Use of complex, expensive and highly specialised equipment such as the continuous monitoring, automated detection systems to analyse clinical samples. Contributing to the general reception area May be required to supervise, organise, and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area. Participate in training of new staff in MLA procedures and protocols within the laboratory. Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out. May input/interrogate test results for others. To participate in MLA duties as and when required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team, or individually and organise and prioritise own workload
- Dextrous, good aseptic technique, able to handle fine pipettes and equipment
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- Able to follow written and spoken instructions
- Ability to act off own initiative
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Computer skills
Other
Essential
- Good organisational skills
- Continuously update knowledge of clinical microbiology
- Conscientious
- Reliable and responsible
- Enthusiasm/self motivated
- Flexibility
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
- Willingness to participate in the extended working day system and weekend work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team, or individually and organise and prioritise own workload
- Dextrous, good aseptic technique, able to handle fine pipettes and equipment
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- Able to follow written and spoken instructions
- Ability to act off own initiative
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Computer skills
Other
Essential
- Good organisational skills
- Continuously update knowledge of clinical microbiology
- Conscientious
- Reliable and responsible
- Enthusiasm/self motivated
- Flexibility
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
- Willingness to participate in the extended working day system and weekend work
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.
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.
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).
