Job summary
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation
Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a
population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with
a track record of success.
We are seeking individuals
to work as Associate Practitioners in our Department of Blood Sciences,
primarliy responsible for processing clinical trial samples for the department,
although other laboratory duites will be required on occasions. The AP role
involves working in Haematology, Transfusion and Biochemistry alongside the
Biomedical Scientists and working closely with the clinical trials coordinator
and colleagues in Reception, as part of the team.
You
should be able to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate and
have experience of working in an NHS pathology laboratory. If you are a good
communicator, team player, conscientious and flexible this job may suit you.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Working closely with
Clinical Trials coorindator to ensure clinical trial samples are processed in
time and according to protocols.
Maintaining and running
automated analysers in accordance with laboratory protocols, loading QC material
as required.
Performing some manual
tests and recording the results.
Booking patient samples on
to the Laboratory Computer System and ensuring the correct test requests are
inputted. There are thousands of different test codes and you must have excellent
attention to detail to select the correct codes.
Centrifuging samples and
correctly loading the samples on to the relevant laboratory analysers.
Assisting the BMS staff by
managing pending test lists.
Organising referral,
packaging and sending of samples to other Trust sites and to other Trusts
nationwide.
Answering reception and
telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public.
Stock control including
ordering, receiving and receipting deliveries, documenting and organising
batches of reagents and performing verification tasks.
Assist
in the training and competency assessment of new Band 3 staff and ward staff.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This
Associate Practitioner role involves working closely alongside the Clinical
Trials Coordinator, Biomedical Scientists and also the Pathology reception Team
Leader and reception team. They follow the laboratory Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) and complete the relevant quality documentation as required. They
ensure clincal trial samples are processed correctly and stored under ideal
conditions.
Use of a number of
different IT systems and software is needed, Laboratory computer system (LIMS),
Trust EPR, Analyser interfaces, QC software and QPulse Quality Management
system.
Samples are received into
Pathology reception from wards and clinics within the hospital and from
community hospitals and GP surgeries. They are registered in Pathology
Reception and placed on analysers in the laboratories. The AP will monitor the
analysers in the department, dealing with errors on samples, maintainance on
the analysers, replenishing reagents and consumables and basic
troubleshooting/fault finding. The AP will complete all the required
documentation for the maintenance and error logging.
Stock is managed by the AP
and BMS staff, stock takes are performed, ordering of reagents and consumables
via the Cardea ordering system, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Temperature monitoring is a
daily task, all grades Band 2 upwards may be involved and the AP may be
required to assist, trroubleshoot and train other staff in the process.
The AP staff load the analysers, run QC, perform
maintenance and complete stock management.
The AP will deal with
reports from referral laboratories, entering results to the lab computer
system, identified overdue reports and chasing up with other labs.
Generally the AP staff
assist the Biomedical Scientists with tasks in the laboratory in which they
have been trained and are within their scope of practice. They may be asked to
deputise for the Reception Team Leader as required so some supervisory
experience is beneficial.
This role requires someone
who is conscientious, can work independently within their scope of practice, is
an excellent confident communicator to liase with staff from many wards,
departments and other laboratories as well as Trust IT, Trust transport
drivers, porters, Blood Bikers as well as their own Blood Sciences Team.
Attention to detail is a key skill required so that errors can be picked up and
appropriately recorded and so that patient samples can be accurately identified
and tested and results recorded or transcribed. The AP may need to focus for
long periods and also be flexible to organise tasks in priority order. Computer
literacy is essential and the AP will also be expected to write SOPs and
perform audits as needed.
The
department is very busy and an ability to multi-task, keep calm and focussed in
high pressure situations and be flexible
and organised in times of business
continuity is a must.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This
Associate Practitioner role involves working closely alongside the Clinical
Trials Coordinator, Biomedical Scientists and also the Pathology reception Team
Leader and reception team. They follow the laboratory Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) and complete the relevant quality documentation as required. They
ensure clincal trial samples are processed correctly and stored under ideal
conditions.
Use of a number of
different IT systems and software is needed, Laboratory computer system (LIMS),
Trust EPR, Analyser interfaces, QC software and QPulse Quality Management
system.
Samples are received into
Pathology reception from wards and clinics within the hospital and from
community hospitals and GP surgeries. They are registered in Pathology
Reception and placed on analysers in the laboratories. The AP will monitor the
analysers in the department, dealing with errors on samples, maintainance on
the analysers, replenishing reagents and consumables and basic
troubleshooting/fault finding. The AP will complete all the required
documentation for the maintenance and error logging.
Stock is managed by the AP
and BMS staff, stock takes are performed, ordering of reagents and consumables
via the Cardea ordering system, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Temperature monitoring is a
daily task, all grades Band 2 upwards may be involved and the AP may be
required to assist, trroubleshoot and train other staff in the process.
The AP staff load the analysers, run QC, perform
maintenance and complete stock management.
The AP will deal with
reports from referral laboratories, entering results to the lab computer
system, identified overdue reports and chasing up with other labs.
Generally the AP staff
assist the Biomedical Scientists with tasks in the laboratory in which they
have been trained and are within their scope of practice. They may be asked to
deputise for the Reception Team Leader as required so some supervisory
experience is beneficial.
This role requires someone
who is conscientious, can work independently within their scope of practice, is
an excellent confident communicator to liase with staff from many wards,
departments and other laboratories as well as Trust IT, Trust transport
drivers, porters, Blood Bikers as well as their own Blood Sciences Team.
Attention to detail is a key skill required so that errors can be picked up and
appropriately recorded and so that patient samples can be accurately identified
and tested and results recorded or transcribed. The AP may need to focus for
long periods and also be flexible to organise tasks in priority order. Computer
literacy is essential and the AP will also be expected to write SOPs and
perform audits as needed.
The
department is very busy and an ability to multi-task, keep calm and focussed in
high pressure situations and be flexible
and organised in times of business
continuity is a must.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of laboratory work in an NHS environment.
- Ability to train and competency assess staff.
- Ability to perform audits.
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade C or above) AND NVQ 3 in Health (pathology stream) or science related subject.
- OR
- IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2.
- OR
- Foundation degree in Healthcare Practice or equivalent.
Desirable
- ECDL.
- Science/Maths A Level.
- Evidence of CPD.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to interpret and convey information clearly and accurately.
- Possess good interpersonal skills.
- Ability to demonstrate team working.
- Ability to work under own initiative and plan own work.
- Able to prioritise and understand when to escalate problems.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
Desirable
- Microsoft Office applications.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
- Able to handle blood and body samples.
- High level of manual dexterity required.
- Able to work flexibly.
- Able to work across all Trust sites.
- Able to participate in shift working, week end working, bank holidays if required.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of laboratory work in an NHS environment.
- Ability to train and competency assess staff.
- Ability to perform audits.
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade C or above) AND NVQ 3 in Health (pathology stream) or science related subject.
- OR
- IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 2.
- OR
- Foundation degree in Healthcare Practice or equivalent.
Desirable
- ECDL.
- Science/Maths A Level.
- Evidence of CPD.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to interpret and convey information clearly and accurately.
- Possess good interpersonal skills.
- Ability to demonstrate team working.
- Ability to work under own initiative and plan own work.
- Able to prioritise and understand when to escalate problems.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure.
Desirable
- Microsoft Office applications.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
- Able to handle blood and body samples.
- High level of manual dexterity required.
- Able to work flexibly.
- Able to work across all Trust sites.
- Able to participate in shift working, week end working, bank holidays if required.
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
