Associate Practitioner

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy! We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies.

Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS Trust, you may be contacted via TRAC or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your TRAC Account and email accounts including junk and spam folders.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview
Applications are invited from motivated and enthusiastic individuals to work within Clinical Biochemistry in a supporting role to the Biomedical Scientists. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work within the Blood Sciences department in state of the art laboratories on the Southmead site. The redeveloped Southmead site opened in May 2014 and is one of Europe’s leading hospitals.

The department provides a routine Biochemistry testing service to all inpatient, outpatient and GP surgeries in the North Bristol area. It has a workload of over 1 million specimen requests per annum.

The Clinical Biochemistry department offers an extensive range of diagnostic and clinical services, including an integrated Blood Sciences Automated Laboratory, Toxicology, Biochemical Genetics, Newborn Screening and Point of Care Testing services.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to rotate throughout the department and will be expected to participate in the department’s 24-7 service.

Main duties of the job

• To operate, maintain and calibrate complex and specialist laboratory equipment.
• Prepare samples for analysis, including pre-analytical checking and loading.
• Perform biological testing on blood and other body fluids.
• Participate in post-analytical sample handling, including unloading, sorting, storing and retrieving samples.
• To train, instruct and advise laboratory support staff.
• To plan and organise maintenance activities for complex and specialist laboratory equipment.
• Communicate results to appropriate healthcare professionals.

Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• Receive and sort samples.
• Operate automated and semi-automated analyser systems – to include routine use, calibration, quality assurance and record keeping.
• Maintain automated analyser systems for use by self and other laboratory staff – to include planning and adjusting of schedules to meet changing circumstances.
• Troubleshoot and perform first-line repair to automated analyser systems.
• Prepare samples for analysis, including pre-analytical checking and loading.
• Participate in post-analytical sample handling, including unloading, sorting, storing and retrieving samples.
• Perform automated and manual techniques on diagnostic test samples and understand their application and relevance to the production of accurate test results.
• Maintain adequate stocks of reagents and consumables and advise senior staff of any issues with these – to include planning and adjusting order schedules to meet changing circumstances.
• Enter patient request data onto the laboratory computer system.
• Participate in external and internal quality assurance processes and understand their relevance to the quality of the work of the laboratory.
• Participate in departmental quality programmes, including audit.
• Distribute specimens to appropriate departments.
• Record and inform service users and senior staff of requests received that do not comply with the NBT Policy for Request Form and Specimen labelling.
• Prepare samples for referral to other laboratories in accordance with Trust, Departmental, Postal and Courier protocols and standards.
• Respond to telephone enquiries, give advice where appropriate and exercise judgement in referring to senior technical or clinical staff when necessary.
• Participate in staff rotation across multiple sections of Clinical Biochemistry, as required.
• Prepare specimen collection containers with appropriate preservatives.
• Input and extraction of data from department and other IT systems.
• Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust and Departmental policies.
• Clean and decontaminate working areas and equipment in accordance with laboratory protocols.
• Notify senior staff of any adverse incident.
• Follow codes of practice in maintaining safe and efficient standards of work.
• Participate in training and induction of staff as required; to include use of equipment, health & safety, manual handling, etc.
• Participate in staff appraisal in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development.

Person specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Diploma/HNC/HND in relevant science subject or relevant experience/equivalent level of knowledge.

Desirable criteria

• Degree in relevant science subject.

Work Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a pathology laboratory.
• Experience of the use of pathology laboratory computer systems.
• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice to pathology laboratories.
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of sample requirements and ability to recognize inappropriate samples.
• IT and keyboard skills.
• Ability to participate in the delivery of staff training.
• Ability to work with complex analytical equipment.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads.

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.