Job summary
Apprentice Assistant Technical Officer
Department: Pathology
Band: Apprenticeship
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Our Pathology department is a busy but friendly department consisting of Specimen reception, Biochemistry, Blood transfusion, Haematology, Cellular pathology, Microbiology, Point of care and Mortuary.
We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a 'can do' attitude willing to learn new skills to join our team as an apprentice.
In line with Apprenticeship Funding rules, please only apply for this role if all of the below factors apply to you.
- You are 16 years old or over
- You have resided in the UK or EEA for at least the past 3 years
- You can produce evidence of your Maths & English GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications
- You will not be in full time education at the point of starting this role
- You have not previously undertaken a similar or higher qualification (E.g a degree in Biomedical Science)
Please bring your Maths and English certificates with you to interview, should you be invited.
If you are unsure of any of these, please email us on Apprenticeships@mkuh.nhs.uk, highlighting the role you are applying for and what your query is.For more information, please contact Kalana Patabendige, Microbiology Laboratory Manager or Grant Barker, Blood sciences Laboratory manager on 019089 95830.
Interview date: w/c 18th November 2024
Main duties of the job
To apply, you must have evidence of maths & English GCSE passes (or equivalent), as well as a keen interest in Sciences. In addition to this, you must also have good communication skills, enjoy working individually or in a team and are physically fit and well (the role requires some lifting and handling tasks).
The successful candidate will participate in core laboratory duties including receiving and processing patient's samples, equipment maintenance, answering telephone calls, managing laboratory waste disposal among other tasks.
Apprenticeship roles at MKUH are Fixed Term for the duration of the training. For this role, the Term is 20 months. For the first 12 months of the apprenticeship, you will be paid the national apprentice wage. From month 13 to the end of contract, you will receive the national pay vs your age. If successful vs all criteria, you will be offered a permanent, band 3 post with us.
The Apprenticeship programme will be delivered by our external NHS approved training provider. You will take part in interactive workshops and be assigned a tutor to support you throughout the programme, as well as receiving support from the MKUH Apprenticeship Team.
Please note: This post will not lead to a Trainee BMS post, nor the lab can support candidates wishing to complete their HCPC registration portfolios.
About us
'MKUH staff scored highest for"We work flexibly" theme, scoring 6.86 out of 10.'(NHS Staff Survey 2023).
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
TechnicalPerform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard operational procedures (SOPs).
Operate, clean, and maintain all automated analysers, incubators and, safety cabinets (including air-flow checks) in accordance with Health and Safety policy on daily and weekly basis.
Laboratory informaticsTo comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Collect, receive, match, verify, label, and enter on as computer sample requests. Identify any errors for action e.g., mislabelled other failures of sample matching criteria. Report and record in accordance with standard operating procedure.
AdministrativeTo participate in effective stock control of reagents and consumables, by keeping a check on supplies and informing senior staff when orders must be placed.
Organise daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
GeneralCollect samples from pathology support area, wards and other departments if required.
Clean and maintain equipment and work areas.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
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 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.
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
TechnicalPerform requested tests in accordance with laboratory Standard operational procedures (SOPs).
Operate, clean, and maintain all automated analysers, incubators and, safety cabinets (including air-flow checks) in accordance with Health and Safety policy on daily and weekly basis.
Laboratory informaticsTo comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Collect, receive, match, verify, label, and enter on as computer sample requests. Identify any errors for action e.g., mislabelled other failures of sample matching criteria. Report and record in accordance with standard operating procedure.
AdministrativeTo participate in effective stock control of reagents and consumables, by keeping a check on supplies and informing senior staff when orders must be placed.
Organise daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
GeneralCollect samples from pathology support area, wards and other departments if required.
Clean and maintain equipment and work areas.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
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 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.
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
- GCSEs in Maths and English or (or equivalent)
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a UK laboratory
- Previous experience working in an NHS laboratory
Skills
Essential
- Good communication/interpersonal skill
- Ability to keep accurate records.
Desirable
- Knowledge of manual handling and Health and Safety regulations.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Demonstrate - Ability to work individually/in a team
- Demonstrate - Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Demonstrate - Experience as a team leader
Communication
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication at all levels of the organisation
- Understanding/awareness of Data Protection Act
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GCSEs in Maths and English or (or equivalent)
Experience
Desirable
- Previous experience working in a UK laboratory
- Previous experience working in an NHS laboratory
Skills
Essential
- Good communication/interpersonal skill
- Ability to keep accurate records.
Desirable
- Knowledge of manual handling and Health and Safety regulations.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Demonstrate - Ability to work individually/in a team
- Demonstrate - Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
- Demonstrate - Experience as a team leader
Communication
Essential
- Clear and accurate written and verbal communication at all levels of the organisation
- Understanding/awareness of Data Protection Act
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.
