Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY:
As an Associate Practitioner in the Microbiology Department,
the post holder will contribute to the provision of the clinical laboratory
service, as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and support workers,
performing work activities in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
Under the supervision of
qualified staff, the Associate Practitioner will be responsible for performing
a range of scientific procedures on biological samples that contribute to the
diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other
pathological processes.
The post holder will be trained to make decisions that have
an impact on the end result in order to facilitate the provision of accurate
and timely reports within available resources.
After
suitable training and competence assessment the post holder will use practical
skills to perform tasks associated with the Pre-Analytical preparation of
specimens; conduct preliminary analyses on a limited range of culture
investigations and perform a range of automated analyses using highly complex
laboratory equipment. These tasks are of a more advanced nature than those of a
Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA)
JOB PURPOSE:
Place and prepare samples for automated analysers under
the direction of more senior staff.
Following
appropriate training, specific Microbiology duties include:
Follow good laboratory practice in line with
professional guidelines and UKAS standards.
Inoculation of specimens for culture, including:
Urines, Swabs, Body fluids, Respiratory samples, Faeces.
Deal promptly and appropriately with any sample
identified as urgent to ensure that timely and accurate results are available
to the requester.
Assist in the analysis of routine and urgent clinical
samples in accordance with laboratory procedures using specialist optical,
manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory equipment.
Preparation of samples for microscopy, including:
Swabs, Faeces, Body fluids.
Reading
and recording results of a limited number of chromogenic cultures.
ELISA
or any other automated or semi-automated instrument.
Preparation of antibiotic susceptibility tests (using
both manual and automated techniques).
Processing
and recording of IQC, reporting any out of range results to BMS staff.
Processing and recording of pre-Acceptance testing of
reagents reporting any out of range results to BMS staff
Participate in the maintenance of the quality system by
participating in QC and EQA schemes.
Take corrective action when quality control or
assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments
or methods,
Daily,
weekly and monthly maintenance of equipment.
Carry out first line troubleshooting of equipment or
methods, keeping a proper record of all actions and communications.
Assist with the cleaning and decontamination of
laboratory equipment and benches.
Safe
discard of waste materials.
Tracking,
storage and retrieval of samples.
Reagent
preparation and stock control
General
housekeeping duties within the Microbiology lab
Report incidents, accidents and defects according to
Trust and Directorate guidelines.
Participate in the regular review and update of the
Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures as directed by the Departmental
Quality Manager or Deputy
Participate in Departments extended working day and
provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday periods as required.
Any
other appropriate duties as designated by a senior member of staff.
To
maintain the effective operation of the department, the post holder may be
requested to carry out duties as performed by Medical Laboratory Assistants
(MLAs)
ASSET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (i.e. stock,
equipment, buildings)
Maintain adequate stocks by bringing to the attention
of the Senior Staff any shortages
To use all equipment in a safe & responsible
manner, in accordance with Health & Safety legislation.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Undertake any internal and external training as
identified by the Trust (Personal Development Review) PDR process.
Undertake a structured training and development
programme to successfully acquire core competencies which are matched to the
National Occupational Standards and thereafter maintain the required standards
of competence when undertaking duties.
Ideally working towards the HCPC portfolio.
Achieve appropriate levels of competence required by
laboratory Competency Assessment Program.
Must develop and improve your scientific expertise,
which may be via CPD within an appraisal programme. Maintain a portfolio of
relevant achievements.
Undertake duties and responsibilities in accordance
with the Trusts Policies and Procedures.
To demonstrate working procedures and communicate own
knowledge and understanding to others, e.g. the interpretation of Request Form
details including recognition of medical terminology in the laboratory context
and synonyms used for laboratory tests.
To demonstrates working procedures of relevant area to
less experienced Staff as part of the training process.
Answer telephone requests for: results, urgent
requests, direct calls as appropriate
Behave at all times with courtesy and consideration to
colleagues and service users regardless of hierarchical or professional
position within the organization.
General Responsibilities
Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to
effective communication within the department.
Participate
in laboratory discussions offering suggestions for change to practice where
appropriate.
Communicate any difficulties or problems affecting the
department to a supervising BMS.
Communicate with service users giving simple advice and
refer caller to supervising BMS if necessary.
Keep accurate and complete audit records consistent
with policies and procedures.
Take an active part in trust Personal Development
Review (PDR) process, undertaking any internal and external training identified
in their Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Take responsibility for own and colleagues health and
safety in line with The Health and Safety at Work Act and Trust Health and
Safety policies.
Perform all methods and procedures according to SOPs
and use all equipment in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with
Health and Safety legislation.
Prioritise work in accordance with guidance from
operating procedures and senior members of staff.
Be conversant with, and adhere to, all relevant
legislation and safety measures for handling of chemical and biological
reagents.
Comply with legislation, policies, procedures and other
quality approaches relevant to the work being undertaken.
Work within limits of own competence and responsibility
and refer issues beyond these limits to relevant people.
Act responsibly as a team member.
Use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively.
Follow the Trusts hospital infection prevention and
control policies and procedures to protect patients, staff and visitors form
healthcare-associated infections. Perform the correct hand hygiene procedures
when entering and leaving clinical areas.
Act in ways that support equality and value
diversity.
Behave at all times with courtesy and consideration to
colleagues and service users regardless of hierarchical or professional
position within the organisation. Comply with the Data Protection Act and other relevant
legislation, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
File, retrieve and print computer and paper records as
and when required.
This job description will be subject to annual review and
may be amended as necessary following
consultation with the post holder.
