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Job summary

Main area
Virology
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 shift patern)
Job ref
287-LCL-133-24
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Liverpool Clinical Laboratories
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/02/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Associate Practitioner Virology

Band 4

Job overview

The associate practitioner role will be based in the department of Virology.  We are looking for applicants with clinical laboratory experience to participate in the activities of the department. Primarily the associate practitioner would be providing the technical support of the diagnostic service to the Trust and other users, in accordance with departmental protocols and under appropriate supervision.

 The associate practitioner will be expected to prepare specimens for investigation, set up automated equipment, run QC, and operate analysers.  The associate practitioner may be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in their own area.

The Laboratory support technician will participate primarily in night and late shifts and Saturday and Sunday work where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

The associate practitioner will be involved in supporting reception, sorting and distribution of all clinical and environmental samples.  Expected to assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples submitted to the laboratory and to take remedial action when required.

All specimens will be processed for screening, diagnostic and clinical management of patients using correct techniques as well as complex, specialised equipment.  Along with the operation maintenance and calibration of specialist automated equipment the associate practitioner will be expected to apply the level of manual dexterity needed for the processing of pathological specimens using aseptic technique.

There may be times when the associate practitioner will be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area.  Along with training of new staff in MLA procedures and protocols within the laboratory.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. 

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

 For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Knowledge and Personal Development

  • To gain specialist technical and analytical knowledge by participating in ongoing specialist training and continuous professional development.
  • To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA), NEQAS scheme and IQA/IQC procedures.
  • To maintain knowledge necessary to participate in the highly specialised laboratory sections associated with a teaching hospital, on a rotational basis under supervision from experienced Biomedical Scientists.
  • To have gained the necessary specialist knowledge and skills sufficient to work independently, seeking advice only when deemed necessary.
  • To participate in Personal Development Plans and Appraisals, as an appraisee.
  • To attend laboratory methods meetings and be aware of any changes to methodology.
  • To maintain knowledge of operational policies and procedures through use of the document management system.
  • To actively participate in the in-service training programme.
  • To attend relevant training courses as identified and agreed with senior staff and managers during staff appraisal sessions.

For further information please refer to the attached JD/Person Spec.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • HND/equivalent

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work as part of a team, or individually and organise and prioritise own workload
  • Dextrous, good aseptic technique, able to handle fine pipettes and equipment
  • Ability to concentrate for long periods
  • Able to follow written and spoken instructions
  • Ability to act off own initiative
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Computer skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into health

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jay Moorcroft
Job title
Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 706 4410
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