Associate Practitioner
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Axess sexual health laboratory service for an Associate Practitioner/Laboratory Support Technician to join, and provide support with the ongoing quality assurance, training and service provision, across the Axess region.
The successful candidate will be responsible for working to ensure the Axess service wide laboratory standards are maintained, as well as supporting each of the Axess sites with their training and day to day lab support.
It is an exciting time to join the BMS team within Axess, as the service continues to innovate through use of new technologies, and provide support to other NHS organisations.
Main duties of the job
The Biomedical Scientist Associate Practitioner (Band 4) will support the delivery of high-quality diagnostic laboratory services within the Clinical Microbiology/Pathology department. The post holder will work under the supervision of Senior and Specialist Biomedical Scientists to perform routine and semi-complex laboratory procedures, operate and maintain automated analysers, and contribute to accurate and timely diagnosis of infectious diseases, including common STI pathogens.The role is essential in ensuring efficient turnaround times, maintaining quality standards, and supporting patient care within the NHS laboratory service.
To participate in the activities of the department. Primarily providing the technical support of the diagnostic service to the wider team and other users, in accordance with departmental protocols and under appropriate supervision.
The Laboratory Support Technician may be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in their own area.
The Laboratory support technician will participate in shifts, including Saturday work, with some travel around the Cheshire and Mersey area as part of the axess footprint.
Working for our organisation
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To gain specialist technical and analytical knowledge by participating in ongoing specialist training and continuous professional development.
To Perform routine and semi-complex laboratory tests in Clinical Microbiology, with emphasis on detection and identification of common STI pathogens and other infectious organisms.
To Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot complex automated laboratory analysers to ensure efficient and accurate diagnostic output.
To Prepare and process patient samples in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs). Ensure timely processing of specimens to support rapid turnaround times for clinical decision-making.
To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practicee.g. UKAS , NEQAS scheme and IQA/IQC procedures.
To Participate in internal and external quality assurance schemes to maintain diagnostic accuracy. Perform daily quality control checks on reagents, equipment, and test systems. Assist in the implementation and monitoring of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).Ensure adherence to UKAS accreditation standards and laboratory governance frameworks.
To maintain knowledge necessary to participate in the highly specialisedlaboratory sections associated with a teaching hospital, under supervision from experienced Biomedical Scientists.
To have gained the necessary specialist knowledge and skills sufficient to work independently, seeking advice only when deemed necessary.
To participate in Personal Development Plans and Appraisals, as an appraisee.
To attend laboratory methods meetings and be aware of any changes tomethodology.
To maintain knowledge of operational policies and procedures through use of the document management system.
To actively participate in the in-service training programme.
To attend relevant training courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers during staff appraisal sessions.
Record, validate, and enter laboratory results accurately into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Support data collection for clinical audits and service improvement projects. Assist Biomedical Scientists and senior staff in research activities where applicable.Contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing laboratory efficiency and patient outcomes.
Sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples.
To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples submitted to thelaboratory and to take remedial action when required.
To process specimens that are used for screening, diagnostic and clinicalmanagement of patients using correct techniques as well as complex, specialised equipment
To apply the level of manual dexterity needed for the processing of pathological specimens using aseptic technique.
To interpret clinical request forms to plan and prioritise workload according to clinical urgency and to liaise with medical staff if required.
To record the investigations indicated on the clinical request forms into thelaboratory computer system.
To analyse clinical samples using appropriate kits and procedures and entering the results of the investigations into the computer system for Biomedical Scientist to release reports for medical staff authorisation.
To ensure the satisfactory completion and validation of automated assays and record the results of control values and the results of the investigations into the computer system.
Participate in structured training programmes for continuous professional development and Engage in competency assessments and maintain up-to-date technical skills.
Preparing and storing of specimens in low temperature storage systems.
Assisting Biomedical Scientists in the setting up of Yeast sensitivities andbacterial identification systems including visual or automatic interpretation.
Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary laboratory team. Communicate clearly with Biomedical Scientists, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals. Escalate abnormal or critical results appropriately according to laboratory protocols.Participate in team meetings and contribute to service development discussions.
To troubleshoot, and carry out routine maintenance on specialist equipment and perform calibration and implement alternative methods in event of failure.
Use of complex, expensive and highly specialised equipment such as thecontinuous monitoring, automated detection systems to analyse clinical samples
May be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train lessexperienced staff in own area.
Participate in training of new staff in MLA procedures and protocols within the laboratory.
Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out. May input/interrogate test results for others.
To participate in MLA duties as and when required.
Adhere strictly to infection prevention and control policies. Ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of clinical specimens and hazardous materials.
Comply with COSHH regulations and laboratory biosafety standards. Maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- HND/equivalent
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to work as part of a team, or individually and organise and prioritise own workload
- Dextrous, good aseptic technique, able to handle fine pipettes and equipment
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- Able to follow written and spoken instructions
- Ability to act off own initiative
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Computer skills
Other
Essential criteria- Good organisational skills
- Continuously update knowledge of clinical microbiology
- Conscientious
- Reliable and responsible
- Enthusiasm/self motivated
- Flexibility
- Willingness to participate in the extended working day system and weekend work
Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
Posts advertised to ‘internal staff’ are open to employees of hospitals within University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and you should confirm your employment within your application form.
Note: Under current Home Office Immigration Rules we are currently unable to offer right to work visa sponsorship for Band 2 and 3 roles with a salary of less than £25,000 pa as they do not meet the UK Visas & Immigration criteria.
Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.
We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
Candidates applying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months’ of their 18^th birthday.
The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and achieve fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment.Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.
The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.
Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing the successful applicant/s DBS application be recovered via salary deduction following start in post. The amount of £26.50 (standard disclosure) or £54.50 (enhanced disclosure) will be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment.Bank posts require upfront payment.
From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults’ policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.
Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.
All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.
As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.
If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.