Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Microbiology Associate Practitioner

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This job is now closed

Job summary

Microbiology Associate Practitioner

Department: Pathology - Microbiology

Band 4

Hours: 37.5 per week

Fixed-Term post until 19.02.2025

The Microbiology Department at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an integral part of the expanding UKAS accredited Pathology Department. Processing over 210,000 sample requests annually, our Microbiology Department provides a diverse range of diagnostic services, including bacteriology, molecular, virology, serology, mycobacteriology, and parasitology. Currently working towards UKAS accreditation, our laboratory holds accredited status for training with the IBMS/HCPC.

We are seeking a dynamic Band 4 Associate Practitioner to join our Microbiology team on a fixed-term contract until February 2025. The ideal candidate will possess keen attention to detail and a genuine interest in a role that is both challenging and rewarding.

Our selection process involves an initial application review, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates. The laboratory boasts modernization with advanced technologies such as Maldi-TOF, Biomerieux Biofire, Vitek, Bactec FX 400, Beckman DXI, DiaSorin Liaison, IQ100 Sprint analyzers, Cepheid GeneXpert, Samba II, and Automate.

For further information, contact Rizalea Echaluse, Chief Biomedical Scientist (Rizalea.Echaluse@mkuh.nhs.uk) on 01908 995781 or Peter Plotka, Senior Biomedical Scientist (Peter.Plotka@mkuh.nhs.uk) on 01908 995778.

Interview: 11th of March 2024

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities include supporting various laboratory areas, managing data and documentation, handling specimens, conducting microscopy and culture reading, setting up specimens, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory analyzers, conducting inventory checks, and handling stock items. Strong teamwork, excellent communication, and interpersonal skills, along with familiarity with Quality Assurance and Quality Management Systems, are essential. While candidates with prior laboratory experience are preferred, those with transferable skills are also encouraged to apply.

Primarily supporting workload in all areas of the lab with sample handling, processing, and reporting where necessary. Samples include respiratory, blood, sterile fluids, swabs, skin and nail scrapping, urines, and faeces preparing microscopy slides (staining/wet prep) and reporting, also reading primary chromogenic culture plates after a suitable training period.

Adherence to lab and Trusts values (4 Cs), Trusts data confidentiality policy.

The post holder will be based in Microbiology but if required could also work in Blood Sciences/Cellular Pathology labs.

The post holder will need to contribute to a 24/7 service, including late evenings, weekends, and public holidays, as part of their regular hours, rotating outside the laboratory's core work hours.

About us

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

  • Free on-site parking
  • Free tea and coffee
  • Great flexible workingopportunities
  • Discounted gym membership
  • Lease car scheme
  • Generous annual leave and pension scheme
  • On site nursery (chargeable)
  • Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

Details

Date posted

16 February 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC2419A

Job locations

Microbiology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a team member of Biomedical support workers delivering technical, quality, and administrative support for the optimal delivery of a safe quality lead Microbiology laboratory service.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details on the role and responsibilities.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be a team member of Biomedical support workers delivering technical, quality, and administrative support for the optimal delivery of a safe quality lead Microbiology laboratory service.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details on the role and responsibilities.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English Language, mathematics and a science subject
  • Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
  • Foundation Degree in Science

Desirable

  • Accredited degree in Biomedical Science

Experience

Essential

  • General lab experience in all areas of the lab at the required level
  • Microscopy and reading/reporting of culture results

Desirable

  • Laboratory IT/LIMS
  • Supervisory role

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Intermediate level of computer skills
  • Ability to plan and prioritize allocated work
  • Able to work alone or in a team
  • Ability to use complex automated equipment and associated computer software systems

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
  • Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas of extreme pressure
  • To co-ordinate and supervise the activities of less experienced staff and participate in their training and development

Communication

Essential

  • Good telephone manners conveying results or sensitive information
  • To participate in departmental meetings and contribute

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptatio
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Able to perform physical work (must be reasonably fit)
  • To be able to organise own day-to-day work tasks within parameters determined by the Line Manager
Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

  • Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English Language, mathematics and a science subject
  • Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
  • Foundation Degree in Science

Desirable

  • Accredited degree in Biomedical Science

Experience

Essential

  • General lab experience in all areas of the lab at the required level
  • Microscopy and reading/reporting of culture results

Desirable

  • Laboratory IT/LIMS
  • Supervisory role

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Intermediate level of computer skills
  • Ability to plan and prioritize allocated work
  • Able to work alone or in a team
  • Ability to use complex automated equipment and associated computer software systems

Personal and people development

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness
  • Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas of extreme pressure
  • To co-ordinate and supervise the activities of less experienced staff and participate in their training and development

Communication

Essential

  • Good telephone manners conveying results or sensitive information
  • To participate in departmental meetings and contribute

Specific requirements

Essential

  • Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptatio
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Able to perform physical work (must be reasonably fit)
  • To be able to organise own day-to-day work tasks within parameters determined by the Line Manager

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Microbiology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Microbiology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Biomedical Scientist

Rizalea Echaluse

rizalea.echaluse@mkuh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

16 February 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC2419A

Job locations

Microbiology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD


Supporting documents

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