Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a strong interest in healthcare science to join the Newcastle NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders laboratory, as an Apprentice Healthcare Science Associate.
The successful applicant will study for Level 4 Certification in Healthcare Science (Associate) whilst working in the laboratory. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the post holder will automatically move to a Band 4 permanent Healthcare Science Associate position within the laboratory.
Candidates will need excellent attention to detail along with good organisational, analytical and numerical skills. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly specialised diagnostic service and to contribute to the delivery of diagnostic testing for mitochondrial disease patients both within the UK and world-wide.
The Mitochondrial Highly Specialised Mitochondrial Diagnostic Laboratory forms part of the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub (a partnership arrangement between Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Sheffield Children's Hospital Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust).
Please note: in order to be eligible for this role, you must be available to commence this programme in October 2023.
- Interview date 04/09/2023
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and reliable individual and will join a team of approximately fifteen scientific and technical staff in the Mitochondrial laboratory in Newcastle. They will be required to, under supervision, carry out work-based learning in the laboratory whilst also attending academic training courses/sessions related to the achievement of the apprenticeship outcomes. They will assist in the processing of samples referred for a broad range of laboratory tests, following clearly defined policies and procedures. They will also be required to carry out routine laboratory duties, including ordering of reagents/consumables, equipment maintenance, preparation of solutions and general housekeeping duties. The candidate will also be required, following successful training and competency assessment, to book samples into the laboratory information system and to organise the transfer of samples between testing laboratories when required.
Qualities we are looking for include:
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- An eye for detail
- Manual dexterity
- Reliable and caring
- A positive attitude
- Ability to work under pressure, as part of a team as well as organising your own workload
- Adhere strictly to established protocols and Trust policies
- Have excellent work attendance and good time-keeping
- Provide a caring and professional service for users
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with over 18,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
Rated 'Outstanding' by theCQC for the second consecutive time in 2019, we have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Mitochondrial team in Newcastle is one of three highly specialised component laboratories providing the Rare Mitochondrial Disorders Service for Adults and Children and is commissioned to provide highly specialised mitochondrial testing for the North geography. The team use a broad range of histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical assays to support a genomics-first approach to diagnosis for patients with suspected mitochondrial disease referred from across the UK and further afield, linking to a multidisciplinary Clinical Service; the laboratory also holds an HFEA licence for mitochondrial DNA-related PGD, is supporting the clinical delivery of mitochondrial donation and is strongly integrated into the research activities of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University (https://www.newcastle-mitochondria.com/).
- To study and gain Level 4 Certification in Healthcare Science (Associate) through the Healthcare Science Apprenticeship Programme.
- The post holder will, under supervision, carry out work based learning in the laboratory whilst also attending academic training courses/sessions related to the achievement of the apprenticeship outcomes.
- Laboratory work will involve, the processing of samples referred for a broad range of molecular genetics, histochemical and biochemical tests guided by clearly defined policies and procedures.
- The post holder will also carry out routine laboratory house-keeping roles such as equipment maintenance, preparation of solutions, waste disposal and sample transport under the direction of a senior staff member.
Please note, if you have already completed this or a similar apprentice-based qualification, you will not be eligible for this role.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Mitochondrial team in Newcastle is one of three highly specialised component laboratories providing the Rare Mitochondrial Disorders Service for Adults and Children and is commissioned to provide highly specialised mitochondrial testing for the North geography. The team use a broad range of histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical assays to support a genomics-first approach to diagnosis for patients with suspected mitochondrial disease referred from across the UK and further afield, linking to a multidisciplinary Clinical Service; the laboratory also holds an HFEA licence for mitochondrial DNA-related PGD, is supporting the clinical delivery of mitochondrial donation and is strongly integrated into the research activities of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research at Newcastle University (https://www.newcastle-mitochondria.com/).
- To study and gain Level 4 Certification in Healthcare Science (Associate) through the Healthcare Science Apprenticeship Programme.
- The post holder will, under supervision, carry out work based learning in the laboratory whilst also attending academic training courses/sessions related to the achievement of the apprenticeship outcomes.
- Laboratory work will involve, the processing of samples referred for a broad range of molecular genetics, histochemical and biochemical tests guided by clearly defined policies and procedures.
- The post holder will also carry out routine laboratory house-keeping roles such as equipment maintenance, preparation of solutions, waste disposal and sample transport under the direction of a senior staff member.
Please note, if you have already completed this or a similar apprentice-based qualification, you will not be eligible for this role.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Person Specification
SKILLS
Essential
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Good numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Good laboratory bench skills
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- Previous NHS laboratory experience
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE English, Maths and a Science (grade C/4 and above) OR Functional skills Level 2 English and Maths (pass or above) OR Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science
Person Specification
SKILLS
Essential
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Good numerical and analytical skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Good laboratory bench skills
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- Previous NHS laboratory experience
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE English, Maths and a Science (grade C/4 and above) OR Functional skills Level 2 English and Maths (pass or above) OR Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science
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).
