Job summary
Band 4 (AfC equivalent) Associate Practitioner (AP) in Blood Sciences, based at the Essential Services Laboratories (ESLs) at Guy's Hospital (GH) and St Thomas' Hospital (STH)
This is a sought-after position for anyone looking for a truly varied and rewarding role. You will support our laboratory teams to deliver a first-class service to patients whether they be in hospital, attending outpatient clinics, or seeing their GP.
As an AP in Blood Sciences, you are responsible for every aspect of the sample pathway from receiving in, to running on the analysers. In blood transfusion APs play a vital role in assuring maintenance of cold chain and traceability of blood and blood products. All duties are conducted according to authorised and accredited protocols. The post holder is responsible for maintaining effective communication between medical and nursing teams, and other Synnovis colleagues including Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs), Biomedical Scientists (BMS) & Clinical Scientists.
Each Synnovis site has a uniquely different feel ranging from smaller specialist laboratories to our flagship hub which processes in excess of 30,000 samples per day!
Main duties of the job
The blood sciences laboratories on Floor 2 of the hub are furnished with state-of-the-art automation for Haematology, Haemostasis, Chemistry, Immunology, Virology and also include a specialist Red Cell laboratory.
Duties include sorting and receipt of samples and using the laboratory information management system (LIMS) that integrates into the electronic patient record system. You will assist the BMS staff to ensure that equipment is maintained and ready for use and all patient samples are tested in a timely manner to comply with agreed turnaround times.
Although primarily based at the Hub or a specific site, the post holder may be required to work at another ESL site depending on operational service needs.
Specific to blood transfusion on the ESL sites, stock control of blood and blood components, monitoring and troubleshooting of blood storage equipment and confirming the traceability fate of blood and components is also required.
APs working in point of care (POCT) will work closely with Trust colleagues to help manage the governance of small devices used at the patient bedside. This involves management of data bases and delivery of face-to-face training.
The post holder will be required to participate in a 24/7 working rota.
About us
This is an exciting time to be joining our team!
2025 sees the culmination of a large Synnovis-wide project to deliver a hub and spoke operating model. Analysers on each site are being upgraded to provide standardisation of laboratory methods, harmonisation of reference ranges and the ability to deliver accurate and timely results across the South East London GP network and six hospitals.
Your development and learning
We offer many benefits to staff especially in terms of your development and training. You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. The job you are applying for will be based at our Blackfriars Hub site or at one of our hospital sites. April 2024 saw the first of our people and services move into our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1. There is some work remaining in 2025 to refurbish some of our essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Main duties and responsibilities
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These will include, but are not limited to:
- Deliver work autonomously, within all regulations and legislative requirements.
- Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
- Perform tasks, operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
- Prepare solutions, reagents etc, and utilise a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
- Rotate around the laboratory to ensure a broad range of understanding and knowledge is cultivated.
- Day-to-day supervision of MLAs and new members of the laboratory where necessary.
- Use cost effective methods in your practice and maintain levels of consumable goods and supplies in your area, and report shortages accordingly.
- Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training.
This post may involve working a combination of shifts to include day, evening, night and weekend working.
Rotation across a number of sites may be required in accordance with service needs.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites: Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Foetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. The job you are applying for will be based at our Blackfriars Hub site or at one of our hospital sites. April 2024 saw the first of our people and services move into our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1. There is some work remaining in 2025 to refurbish some of our essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Main duties and responsibilities
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These will include, but are not limited to:
- Deliver work autonomously, within all regulations and legislative requirements.
- Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies.
- Perform tasks, operate and troubleshoot laboratory equipment within all safety standards and according to local SOPs relevant to your area.
- Prepare solutions, reagents etc, and utilise a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
- Rotate around the laboratory to ensure a broad range of understanding and knowledge is cultivated.
- Day-to-day supervision of MLAs and new members of the laboratory where necessary.
- Use cost effective methods in your practice and maintain levels of consumable goods and supplies in your area, and report shortages accordingly.
- Provide administrative support to all areas of the laboratory, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training.
This post may involve working a combination of shifts to include day, evening, night and weekend working.
Rotation across a number of sites may be required in accordance with service needs.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites: Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Foetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good all-round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship.
- A Level / BTEC in Science or L3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship or L4 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Supervising, training or inducting junior members of the laboratory.
- Working in a pathology laboratory environment.
- Handling of biological specimens.
- Using standard laboratory equipment.
- Working in a busy environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a blood transfusion laboratory.
- Experience of 24/7 shift working.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to accurately follow written procedures.
- Ability to perform technical laboratory processes and procedures, use precision equipment and troubleshoot.
- Ability to communicate with other professionals at all levels.
- Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock and specimens etc.
- Sound knowledge of good laboratory practice (GLP).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good all-round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship.
- A Level / BTEC in Science or L3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship or L4 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Supervising, training or inducting junior members of the laboratory.
- Working in a pathology laboratory environment.
- Handling of biological specimens.
- Using standard laboratory equipment.
- Working in a busy environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a blood transfusion laboratory.
- Experience of 24/7 shift working.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to accurately follow written procedures.
- Ability to perform technical laboratory processes and procedures, use precision equipment and troubleshoot.
- Ability to communicate with other professionals at all levels.
- Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock and specimens etc.
- Sound knowledge of good laboratory practice (GLP).
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.
