Associate Practitioner

Job summary

Contributes to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.

• Performs a number of healthcare science clinical technical activities under supervision, including testing patient samples/audit samples and research work, as appropriate to the training and qualifications of a Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner.
• Maintains records in relation to laboratory activities.
• Will be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area.
• Develop and improve professional expertise.

The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or major disease outbreak, e.g. SARS, Swine flu.

Job description

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES:

• Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform the section leader if back-up stocks are low.
• To assist in the use and maintenance of automated equipment, following manufacturer’s guidelines and training. Also to assist in troubleshooting when equipment problems occur.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• HSSW and other support staff.

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

• To always communicate effectively with all members of the Microbiology team.
• To attend training meetings and updates with senior staff on an ad hoc basis

External

• To liaise with users of the laboratory and to handle general telephone enquiries.

OTHER DUTIES

• To undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.
• To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To participate in the provision of a diagnostic service including the production of reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters.
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all virological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist BMS’s where appropriate by planning the day’s work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff of the Virology Laboratory as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training HSSW staff within the Virology Department.
• Process and test antenatal samples in line with IDPS
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in the competency training manual and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in the maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
• To undertake other duties and assume other responsibilities commensurate with this grade.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Able to concentrate for long periods of time at technically demanding procedures.
• Strenuous physical effort rarely required.
• To work within the UKHSA and laboratory policies, codes of practice and professional guidelines.

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities, and outcomes required for the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Professional development

You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements

Please note that UKHSA is exploring options for the future of the Clinical Network Laboratories service and that further information will be shared as the review progresses.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• A-levels in science and maths or equivalent to NVQ4 level, or relevant laboratory experience.
• Experience of a Laboratory Information System (LIMS)
• Technically adept at relevant laboratory procedures
• Able to organise less qualified staff and Able to train less qualified or experienced staff
• Skills for communication on complex information, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,651, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,431 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, fact