Job Description
The Microbiology department is seeking a suitably qualified and enthusiastic Associate Practitioner to join our established team.
This post is to support the department in its current COVID and respiratory virus testing service in addition to other routine Microbiology diagnostic services. Departmental molecular testing platforms in current use include Cepheid GeneXpert, SAMBA II and Biofire film array – some experience of COVID testing would be desirable but full training on each of the platforms will be provided.
The core hours are 9am until 5pm, the post holder will be expected to work late shifts 3pm-11pm and early shifts 7am- 3pm Monday to Friday and weekends/Bank holidays in order to meet the needs of the COVID-19 testing service.
Main duties and Responsibilities
- To work under supervision as an associate practitioner.
- To perform required bench work under supervision ensuring sample are processed and results produced in an accurate and timely manner.
- To carry out all work to specified standards as lay down by the professional bodies including Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS), Health Professions Council (HCPC), and UKAS ISO: 15189.
- To ensure data integrity when entering patient demographics onto the Meditech computer system.
- Respond to queries in a confident, efficient and knowledgeable manner, referring to senior staff when necessary.
- To ensure proper and efficient use of equipment and consumables without wastage.
- To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of proper records and specimens both physically and electronically.
- To participate in the routine work of the department as directed by senior staff and following departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
- To contribute and participate in departmental meeting including taking minutes.
We are a small, friendly and efficient team - working together to provide a high quality diagnostic service to our users.
Main duties and Responsibilities
- To work under supervision as an associate practitioner.
- To perform required bench work under supervision ensuring sample are processed and results produced in an accurate and timely manner.
- To carry out all work to specified standards as lay down by the professional bodies including Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS), Health Professions Council (HCPC), and UKAS ISO: 15189.
- To ensure data integrity when entering patient demographics onto the Meditech computer system.
- Respond to queries in a confident, efficient and knowledgeable manner, referring to senior staff when necessary.
- To ensure proper and efficient use of equipment and consumables without wastage.
- To participate in maintaining a system for the safe and confidential storage and retrieval of proper records and specimens both physically and electronically.
- To participate in the routine work of the department as directed by senior staff and following departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
- To contribute and participate in departmental meeting including taking minutes.
Communication
- To communicate with all Laboratory Medicine staff, all other hospital staff, and other users of the pathology service
- To answer telephone enquiries and refer queries to appropriate staff members when required
- To follow all guide lines for communication of confidential, sensitive and complex information according to standard protocols.
Analytical skills
- Able to work in a flexible manner and meet the demands of the service
- To undertake a variety of automated and non-automated operations requiring a high level of skill and manual dexterity on a daily basis.
- To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received, liaising with senior staff when appropriate.
- To handle hazardous chemicals and reagents appropriately, according to COSHH regulations.
- To occasionally move and manipulate heavy objects whilst following appropriate manual handling guidelines.
- Good degree of organisation, communication and IT skills.
Planning and organising skills
- To monitor levels of reagents and consumable items informing a senior member of staff when stocks are running low
- To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety policies, including reporting of all accidents, incidents, hazards and defects as soon as possible.
- To ensure all equipment and facilities provided by the department are used in a proper and safe manner.
- To carry out appropriate maintenance and quality control procedures including departmental audits
Training
- To complete a work based training programme and complete competency log for all procedures carried out.
- To undergo statuary and mandatory training in line with Trust Policy.
- To participate in annual performance review including the development of a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
- To participate in the induction and orientation of staff, students and visitors.
- Assisting with training of MLA staff, students and unqualified staff.
Departmental specific duties
- To participate in the surveillance and infection control procedures within the department.
- To participate in the collection of environmental samples. This includes the collection of air samples from theatres and ward areas.
- Processing, referral and storage of a variety of biological specimens on a daily basis that may contain high risk micro-organisms.
- Processing a range of specimens using molecular platforms
- To ensure all of pathology’s clinical waste is made safe by autoclaving and then disposed of correctly before portering staff remove it from site.
- To undertake duties appropriate to the Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) staff as required.
- To assist in the reading of culture plates on specific benches and to perform any confirmatory tests to indicate the presence of pathogens in that section.
- To perform sensitivity testing as appropriate to the pathogen isolated following the bench specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- To prioritise and manage own work schedule on a day to day basis.
- To maintain quality of work and maintenance of the Quality system within the Department and perform internal quality control procedures.
- To contribute to and enable the fulfilment of Departmental, Pathology and Trust objectives and achievements of UKAS ISO : 15189 and other standards as required.
- To supervise and train MLA staff where appropriate.
- To demonstrate self-directed development and undertake CPD.
- To participate in the training of work experience students when required.
- To operate automated analysers in the processing of samples and to undertake routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and analysers and report any faults to senior staff. Enter results using the HIMS system
- Subculture positive blood cultures onto appropriate agar using aseptic technique
- To participate in the routine and specialist work of all sections of the Department.
- To be aware of the limitations of the role of assistant practitioner and not to undertake any procedures or duties which exceed this role
Physical skills
- Keyboard skills are essential for patient data input and for the input of patient results.
- Use of moving and handling skills, after training, to ensure safe practice within the department for yourself and others.
Responsibility for patient/client care
- Responsible for accurate and quality indirect patient care e.g. diagnostic testing, test reporting,
- Provide advice (directly or indirectly) to users of the service and patients/ clients when answering telephone queries regarding specimen collection, containers to use availability of results.
Responsibility for human resources
- Supervision of MLA staff following standard operating procedures.
- Support new or less experienced work colleagues to adapt to the workplace.
Responsibility for information resources
- To assist in the processing of statistics and data as required.
- Data management includes data entry, data manipulation and general data and word processing.
Responsibility for research and development
- To carry out research and development as delegated.
- To assist in audit and the subsequent action plans arising.
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