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Job summary

Main area
Healthcare Science- Life Sciences
Grade
Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship
Contract
Apprenticeship: 14 months
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Lates and earlies when trained)
Job ref
190-7796-APP
Employer
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Town
Sheffield
Salary
£12,514 pa/ pro rata for part time staff
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/07/2024 23:59
Interview date
19/07/2024

Employer heading

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Laboratory Medicine Healthcare Science Assistant Apprentice

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes , health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are offering the exciting opportunity to undertake a Level 2 Healthcare Science (HCS) Apprenticeship within the Laboratory Medicine Directorate.

Healthcare Science Assistants (HCSAs) perform a range of low risk, routine technical and scientific procedures usually within one broad area of HCS, following specific protocols and in accordance with health, safety, governance, and ethical requirements. HCSAs work using standard operating procedures, initially under direct supervision but increasingly with experience, under indirect supervision.

HCSAs are required to actively engage in studying towards the Healthcare Science apprenticeship which includes a BTEC level 2 diploma.

This post is to support the provision of laboratory diagnostic services by assisting and providing a range of diagnostic procedures, as appropriate, at different sites in the local area under the direction of the Lead Laboratory manager.

 

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be required to work under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory assistants and will be trained to:

  • Perform pre-analytical checks of sample integrity
  • Use the laboratory and hospital computer systems to book patient samples in
  • Answer the phone and help resolve queries
  • Load samples onto analysers, where appropriate
  • Help maintain stock levels and, where appropriate, replace reagents on analysers
  • Perform basic laboratory and point of care tasks within their specialism, as appropriate
  • Train in phlebotomy to take samples from patients, as appropriate

The apprentice allowance as specified in the Minimum Wage Regulations will be paid for the first 12 months. The rate will increase after 12 months in line with these regulations for anyone that is age 19 or over.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period of 14 months. Due to this being an apprenticeship/training programme visa sponsorship or Biomedical Science graduates are not applicable. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts.

A learner/applicant must be a UK, EEA, or EU resident for at least the past three years to undertake an apprenticeship training programme.

 

Working for our organisation

Are you looking for an exciting new challenge in a place to take your career to the next level? Would you like to join a friendly, progressive, innovative team and play a part in the transformation of pathology services across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw? Do you want to work in a fully UKAS-accredited, modern laboratory environment where you can make a difference?

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

An assessment centre will take place on the morning of July 19th 2024.  where you can come and meet some of the people you will be working with and existing apprentices. As this is part of the selection process, if successful, you will be expected to attend Interviews as well, which will be held on the afternoon of July 19th 2024.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Recognised relevant general qualifications i.e. 5 GCSE’s- to include Maths, English and science

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Healthcare experience (volunteer, work experience, care sector, personal).

Communication Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written are required.
  • Need to be able to inspire confidence in patients and gain their cooperation.
  • Should be able to demonstrate a friendly, professional and approachable manner to all patient, carer and staff groups.
  • Good interpersonal skills Ability to communicate the results of basic clinical tests clearly and accurately in written technical reports and verbally.

Planning and Organisation

Essential criteria
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Able to prioritise workload

Analytical Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate good analytical skills and ability to work in a methodical way
  • Ability to communicate with other professionals within the trust and community with respect to planning diagnosis and care for patients.

Physical Skills

Essential criteria
  • The post holder requires developed practical and physical skills to use a range of equipment, to conduct clinical investigations, and to demonstrate the use of equipment and consumables, to patients.

General Qualities and Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Analytical, organised and disciplined worker, adhering to protocols and guidelines during testing and specifically when performing and reporting test results
  • Proven good team working skills
  • Empathetic, caring nature and calmness qualities when dealing with difficult patients and distressing situations on a regular basis
Desirable criteria
  • An interest in health promotion of patients

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Stonewall Gold 2022Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Imran Jabbar
Job title
Blood Sciences manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0114 2266299
Additional information

Please contact me via email

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