Associate Practitioner - Microbiology, Band 4

Job overview

This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to work within a large, busy UKAS-accredited and IBMS-registered training laboratory, in a supporting role to the Biomedical Scientists.

The Microbiology laboratory is located on the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital site, providing an extensive service to two acute hospitals, smaller local hospitals and to GPs in Gloucestershire and South Worcestershire, with a current workload of over 380,000 specimens per annum.

The Microbiology department has a well-equipped laboratory offering a comprehensive service including automated urine analysis, liquid TB culture, Mycology and Andrology. The department provides an extensive virology service, including serological and molecular technologies.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be reliable, enthusiastic, motivated and forward thinking. They will demonstrate good interpersonal skills and must be a team player. Candidates must have previous experience of working in an NHS microbiology laboratory.

This role will include processing of clinical specimens, adhering to appropriate infection control policies, assuming specific responsibilities for equipment maintenance, trouble shooting, document control, stock management, performance of both internal and external quality control and supporting the service users.

The successful candidate would be expected to participate in the weekend and bank holiday rotas.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Foundation degree in Biomedical Sciences, or equivalent academic achievement in a scientific field (e.g., NVQ Level 4)

Generic scientific skills (e.g., pipetting, reagent preparation, quality assurance)

Principles and practical aspects underpinning the microbiology investigations carried out in the department

Understanding of the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Good working knowledge of sample types, sampling conditions, minimum volume requirements, testing requirements, laboratory workflow, turnaround times, location of reference laboratories for specialised testing

Ability to use own initiative, but also to recognise limitations of knowledge, training, experience and competence

Good communication skills, including good levels of numeracy and literacy

Polite and professional telephone manner

Ability to understand and convey detailed information in a professional and helpful manner

Technical Roles

To develop and maintain a good working knowledge and competency in certain designated test procedures in the laboratory. These include, but are not limited to culture, serology and molecular PCR methods.

To check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures

To read culture plates and accurately record initial findings and further work.

To be able to accurately assign processing codes to samples and requests, and to enter sample details onto the TCLE system

To prepare samples for analysis. This may include barcode labelling, centrifugation and preparation of aliquots, and distribution of samples to the appropriate sections for analysis

To recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times

To prepare samples for dispatch to other laboratories in accordance with postal regulations including samples requiring special transport conditions.

To input test requests, including tests, patient demographics, requesting clinician and location for report onto the laboratory computer (TCLE) in a timely fashion in order to maintain efficient workflow and laboratory turnaround times and taking into account the urgency of the request

To use complex and expensive analysers, including racking and loading samples, unloading samples, replacing reagents, performing routine maintenance and archiving quality control data

To process internal quality control (IQC) material and evaluate results, drawing to the attention of BMS staff, any results that fall outside the IQC pre-set limits

To process external quality assurance (EQA) material and to return the results to the scheme organiser, after review by a senior BMS

To perform regular maintenance of analysers and other equipment, including instrument set up and shutdown, weekly/monthly maintenance and to keep accurate maintenance records

To perform decontamination procedures on centrifuges, water baths, fridges and other equipment as required

To carry out initial stages of instrument troubleshooting as agreed with BMS staff

To prepare and make up reagents, Quality Control and Quality Assurance material, under the indirect supervision of BMS staff

To monitor stock levels of laboratory consumables and reagents, rotating stock, replacing low levels and notifying appropriate staff of items that require re-ordering or are past their expiry dates

To perform laboratory tests by manual techniques, under indirect supervision of BMS staff

To manually enter test results onto worksheets and the laboratory computer system; to notify BMS staff of significantly abnormal results

To deal with diverse and complex telephone enquiries from a variety of sources in a professional and polite manner and act appropriately upon information given

To record all telephone messages accurately and ensure their timely communication to the appropriate staff member

To retrieve and telephone authorised results including urgent results to the appropriate location and appropriate level of healthcare professional. To record details of all calls in order to maintain an accurate audit trail

To maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment in accordance with departmental Health and Safety Policies and protocols

Working Environment

Daily handling of potentially highly infectious pathological samples

Limited but safe exposure to chemicals

Regular long periods of VDU work and data entry

Prolonged periods of concentration required for interpretation of results and validation / authorisation of reports

Daily pressures and stress of managing a high volume of work, ensuring turn-around-times are met for reports

Exposure to low-level noise from laboratory equipment

Daily use of personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves, goggles

Minimal lifting and moving of equipment or items

Training

Attendance and completion of the hospital induction programme

Completion of Pathology induction programme

Annual attendance of mandatory Trust training programmes

Attendance at departmental meetings as required

Participation in formal individual performance reviews (IPR) in line with Trust policy

Work towards a personal development plan (PDP)