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Job summary

Main area
Immunology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
216-HB-C6793661
Employer
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Derriford Hospital
Town
Plymouth
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 £26,530 - £29,114 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/12/2024 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust logo

Associate Practitioner in Flow Cytometry

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory conducts haematological malignancy testing for the South West Peninsula. Our services include essential immunology flow cytometry assays, such as CD4+ testing for lymphocyte and B cell subsets, as well as functional assays.

We are seeking a motivated, conscientious, and caring individual to join our team as an Associate Practitioner in the Immunology Laboratory.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Perform basic laboratory and technical duties to ensure the smooth operation of the Flow Cytometry Laboratory.
  • Provide technical support by conducting routine and specialist analytical testing on various biological samples.
  • Maintain and operate specialist equipment valued up to £1 million.
  • Carry out general administrative tasks.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

  1. The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in the Flow Cytometry Laboratory to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost-effective service.
  2. The post holder will ensure the timely processing of patient samples,  serving all those patients attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us from other Trusts within the Peninsula. The department performs 4.7 million tests annually and employs 123 staff.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description

Key dimensions:

1. The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff in Immunology to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost-effective service.
2. The post holder will have ownership of machines in Immunology and be responsible for maintenance, running and quality control. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 3 in Laboratory Science or demonstrate proven equivalent experience to the level of an NVQ Level 3 In laboratories Science
Desirable criteria
  • Proven experience of supervising laboratory staff

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with staff and patients
  • Precision in sample reception processes
  • Attention to detail
  • Accuracy
Desirable criteria
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Mature outlook
  • Precision in sample booking-in process
  • Working knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of all relevant Health & Safety legislation and its application to the Section
  • Proven experience working in a Flow Cytometry laboratory
  • Proven technical skills in a Pathology laboratory
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of all assays performed and sent away by the department
  • Proven experience working in an immunology laboratory
  • Experience of verification and validation within a working laboratory
  • Experience working with control material

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Louise Kraina
Job title
Immunology Lead Biomedical Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01752430995
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