Job summary
Associate Practitioner (AP)
Cellular Pathology Department
Band 4 £25,146- £27,596 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (Full time), all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Our Cellular Pathology is a busy but friendly department processing more than 21,000 specimens per year and plays a vital role in the Trust's diagnostics cancer service.
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a 'can do' attitude and willing to learn new skills to join our team.
The successful candidate will ideally have some previous laboratory experience. They will participate in core duties within the laboratory including receiving and processing patient's samples, data entry, equipment operation and maintenance, managing laboratory waste disposal and microtomy among other tasks. Training will be given where necessary.
You will have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, and/or an NVQ level 3 or equivalent level qualification or qualifications with a laboratory relevance/ equivalent laboratory experience. In addition to this, you must also have good verbal and written communication skills, enjoy working individually or in a team and are physically fit and well (the role requires some lifting and handling tasks).
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Operational Manager on 01908 995820
Main duties of the job
To support the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
To be part of a team of Biomedical Support workers delivering technical and administrative support to ensure the provision of an efficient and effective diagnostic service.
To work with the laboratory management and technical team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards including those of ISO 15189, the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and screening programmes.
Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental and trust KPI's.
To work in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.
To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines.
Assist with training and education activity.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental and other meetings as required.
To attend external training and educational courses when required
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional maturity.
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and trust health and safety and risk management policies.
To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
To have the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time whilst processing samples.
Prioritisation of your workload and to take part in the daily routine and specialist skilled technical work of the department.
Help prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Liaise closely with departmental technical, administrative, and clinical staff to ensure that all technical work is performed to required standards.
To liaise with other healthcare professionals in a professional and competent manner providing approved departmental information as appropriate.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental and other meetings as required.
To attend external training and educational courses when required
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional maturity.
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and trust health and safety and risk management policies.
To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
Perform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures.
To have the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time whilst processing samples.
Prioritisation of your workload and to take part in the daily routine and specialist skilled technical work of the department.
Help prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
- Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
- Basic to intermediate computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent practical skills.
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes.
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
Desirable
- Teaching skills
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently under own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Self-motivated and patient focused.
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Forward thinking
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment.
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Participate in departmental meetings
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, mathematics, and a science subject
- Level 3 qualification (A-level equivalent) in a science subject OR NVQ3 or equivalent experience in relevant discipline
- Basic to intermediate computer skills
- Knowledge of importance of confidentiality
Desirable
- Foundation degree or degree in Biomedical Science or accredited degree
- Knowledge of anatomical / medical terminology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital Cellular Pathology laboratory.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Staff training and competency assessment
- Experience of using a LIMS
Desirable
- Experience of quality management
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent practical skills.
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes.
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
Desirable
- Teaching skills
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently under own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Self-motivated and patient focused.
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Forward thinking
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment.
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Participate in departmental meetings
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
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.
