Associate Practitioner - Immunology - Band 4

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Job overview

Applications are invited for a substantive post from enthusiastic well motivated individuals to work in the Department of Immunology and Immunogenetics in conjunction with the regional genetics laboratory. The laboratory is housed in a modern, purpose-built laboratory and the successful candidate will be joining a busy but friendly team.

The Immunology department is split in to four sections: Autoimmunity/Allergy, Immunochemistry, Immunophenotyping and Tissue Typing.

The post holder will rotate predominantly into Immunophenotyping with some genetic input and tissue typing but may be required to rotate into other sections in Immunology if required due to the operational requirements of the laboratory.

Applications are invited from individuals with qualifications and/or experience in a relevant science subject, Experience in a pathology laboratory, preferably in Immunology or Immunogenetics is desirable but not essential. Please note this is not a training post.

If you would like an informal chat please contact Ellen Roberts or Lucy Wheeler

If a sufficient number of applications are received for this post, then it may close early.

Please see this short video showcasing Pathology at NBT.

https://youtu.be/cJiNgR-TwUY?si=H6kkwCD5FvSv6UpW

1. To provide laboratory support for pre-and post analytical testing of samples for the Specialist integrated haematological diagnostic service. (SIHMDS)
2. Support for Tissue Typing when required.
3. To undertake diagnostic tests on blood and other body fluids.
4. To operate, and maintain specialist laboratory equipment.
5. To input sample data as part of pre and post analytical testing

Full details of the post can be found in the Job description

Working for our organisation

North Bristol Trust is the largest NHS trust in the Southwest and serves a local population of 500,000. In May 2014 the Trust relocated the majority of its acute services to the Brunel Building, one of the most advanced hospitals in Europe offering exemplary care in a beautiful and purpose-built environment, designed with the patient’s privacy and dignity in mind.

Alongside this, there has been significant investment and redevelopment of Pathology services with the building of new state of the art laboratories located in the Science Quarter at Southmead Hospital and the creation of Severn Pathology. The laboratory facilities accommodate all pathology disciplines including the Blood Sciences, Bristol Genetics Laboratory, a single Bristol Cellular Pathology Service and a combined Microbiology and Health Protection Agency service within one facility.

Severn Pathology's aim is to provide a best in class, high quality, innovative, value for money pathology service that serves the needs of the healthcare market in the South West region and beyond. The pathology department processes over 10 million samples per year.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To receive and process samples prior to testing in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.

To rotate through sections of the laboratory as required and support BMS staff.

To prepare and maintain analysers in accordance to protocols for routine use.

To maintain your own laboratory competencies

To participate in all aspects of quality control and quality assurance including audits as required.

To be competent in the use of laboratory computer systems

To upload results from the genetics laboratory to the laboratory computer system

For a more details please refer to job description attached.

Person specification

Education

• Diploma/HNC/HND in relevant science subject or relevant experience/equivalent level of knowledge.

• Degree in relevant science subject

Work experience

• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a pathology laboratory
• Experience of the use of pathology laboratory computer systems

• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice to pathology laboratories
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads
• IT and keyboard skills
• Ability to work accurately with minimum supervision
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal

• Ability to work with complex analytical equipment
• Knowledge of sample requirements and ability to recognize inappropriate samples

Personal

• Effective team worker

• Committed to personal development

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.