Associate Practitioner

Job summary

The post holder will be a practicing Healthcare Scientist Associate (HCSA) with specialist knowledge in Blood Sciences Discipline (Haematology/Clinical Biochemistry). Post holder will work under supervision of Healthcare Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS), utilising knowledge and skills gained through foundation degree or equivalent.

Managing telephone enquiries from service users.

Issue results via telephone, including obtaining results from reference laboratories on referred work, as directed by senior biomedical scientists.

Knowledge of laboratory operation, dealing with unloading and loading of samples on laboratory equipment and centrifugation of samples.

Wide knowledge of codes and tests carried out in laboratory.

To assist in maintaining the departmental quality management system, under the guidance of senior members of staff.

Contribute to changes to laboratory documentation, as deemed necessary, and have responsibility for documenting and implementing these changes in Blood Sciences Discipline (Haematology/ Clinical Biochemistry).

Please note this role is currently only being advertised to staff members who are currently working within the Kent and Medway ICS.

Main duties of the job

To work to approved standards, standard operating procedures, and protocols, in a safe and efficient manner so that all work is performed efficiently, accurately and on time.

To receive large volumes of samples, examine the electronic and paper requests, accurately select test profiles according to specimen type, collection conditions and clinical details and transfer specimen/request data from request forms into the laboratory computer system.

To participate in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processing of specimens.

To perform range of manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations, in a safe, efficient and timely manner, following standard operating procedures.

To prepare and pack samples for dispatch to other laboratories ensuring packaging meets current regulations.

To be aware of the policies and guidelines surrounding tests to be performed and know when to refer to specialist biomedical scientist.

Responsible for stock management in the department for all sections.

To participate in 24/7 shift system for support staff as required by the laboratory manager to ensure efficient delivery of Blood Sciences (Haematology/Clinical Biochemistry) service to all users.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further detail.

Please note, there is a post available at both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex.With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offerspecialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

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Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leaveplus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below