Associate Practitioner Scarborough Acute Services Laboratory
Please note that contact with applicants will usually be by email, and so please check all of your mail folders regularly (unfortunately some providers filter our messages into junk mail folders).
Our Values- We are KIND
- We are OPEN
- We pursue EXCELLENCE
We are looking for applications from people who share our values to help make us a valued and trusted partner within our care system, that delivers safe effective care to our local population.
People for Patients. Our People, our Patients, our Priority
Job overview
The post holder will assist in the provision of an efficient, high quality Blood Sciences and Molecular Testing service within our Scarborough Acute Services Laboratory through participation in technical and scientific operations.
The Molecular Testing aspect of this role will require the post holder to perform a limited range of complex tasks including scientific procedures and result interpretation on biological samples that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases.The post holder will manage telephone enquiries and give results to other healthcare professionals. The post holder will use their individual judgment to make decisions that will have an impact on the provision of accurate and timely reports within available resources.
You will also perform some reception, Medical Laboratory Assistant and clerical duties as needed.
The Blood Sciences aspect of the role will require the post holder to support BMS' with equipment maintenance and QC. Key duties include providing a high quality and timely service and maintaining clear communication with users of the service.The post holder will be expected to work in a cost effective manner, follow departmental health and safety procedures and ensure any identified problems are reported to the manager. The post holder must ensure that personal proficiency and competencies are maintained and are willing to take part in any training required to maintain an up to date knowledge of equipment and techniques.
Main duties of the job- To carry out a broad range of scientific and technical work within the Acute Services Laboratory at Scarborough.
- To identify and resolve problems within the areas that they are working and / or report them to their manager as appropriate.
- To carry out a range of routine technical tasks using analytical skills. The range of tasks will be dependent on the area in which they are working.
- To carry out routine and emergency maintenance and calibration of equipment both inside and outside the department as appropriate and to identify problems associated with equipment used to your managers.
- Perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations according to the laboratory SOP and using specifically defined interpretative and judgmental skills when-
- Preparing and examining samples and issuing results
- Performing complex manual techniques requiring a high level of concentration and dexterity for long periods of time.
- Using automated equipment when analysing patient samples
- Ensuring the continued supply of reagents and that these are stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Responsible for first line troubleshooting of analytical equipment.
Working for our organisation
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
- Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
- 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
- A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
- Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
- NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
- An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
- Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds.If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.[email protected].
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria- Education equivalent to AS Level or higher OR NVQ Level 2 in Laboratory sciences
- NVQ level 3 in Laboratory sciences or equivalent foundation degree in a relevant subject.
Experience and Knowledge Required
Essential criteria- Previous experience of working to written procedures in a laboratory environment
- Experience of working in a blood science/Microbiology laboratory.
Please note that some of our substantive vacancies may be available on a smaller number of hours than advertised. If you would be interested in applying on this basis, we would encourage you to contact the appointing manager to enquire further.
DBS Checks
Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary either in 1 payment or over a six month period once you start employment.By applying you are agreeing to this undertaking. If you are successful you will be asked to confirm if you wish to pay in one amount or in instalments. The charges are currently £27.38 for a standard check and £55.38 for an enhanced check. The level of check will be determined by the post you are applying for.
Please note that Volunteers and Bank only staff will not be charged.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) offers a confidential checking service for transgender applicants in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This is known as the sensitive applications route, and is available for all levels of DBS check - basic, standard and enhanced.
The sensitive applications route gives transgender applicants the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate that could reveal their previous identity. To contact the sensitive applications team, please telephone 0300 106 1452 or email [email protected].
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Please note, the selection processes at York & Scarborough Teaching Hospitals are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills.You will be required to acknowledge that you are aware of this before submitting your application.
Agile and Flexible Working
We are committed to helping all staff balance their work with other commitments and have recently launched our new Agile and Flexible Working policy to support this, entitling all staff to request flexible working from day one – for all posts.We encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
All our employees have access to a free, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service. Our EAP is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Relocation Package
The Trust offers a generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss relocation further, please speak to the recruiting manager at interview.
A bit more about us and the surrounding area
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated in a fantastic part of the country that is home to two national parks, a beautiful coastline, and the city of York - consistently voted one of the best places to live in the UK.We provide a comprehensive range of acute hospital and specialist healthcare services for approximately 800,000 people living in and around York, North Yorkshire, North East Yorkshire and Ryedale - an area covering 3,400 square miles.
Our annual turnover is approaching £0.5bn. We manage eight hospital sites and have a workforce of around 10,000 staff working across our hospitals and in the community.
Sponsorship
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK, check you are eligible under the UKVI points based system online. Not all jobs we advertise are eligible for sponsorship.