Associate Practitioner in Biomedical Science

Associate Practitioners assist the Biomedical Scientist staff, this includes pre-analytical sample preparation, analyser maintenance, calibration and quality assurance, sample analysis and result review. The role involves supervising and training of other staff.

The current work pattern for the post is Monday
- Friday 09:00 - 17:30.

To provide technical support to the Biomedical Scientists in performing pre analytical tasks and the analysis of pathological samples using various technologies and to present the results for validation and authorisation.

To ensure that all specimens are processed according to laboratory procedures and to error log all deviations or non compliances in accordance with the laboratory quality system.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as “Good” by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.

Main Duties & Responsibilities
- To perform accurate preparation, pre and post and analytical procedures as defined by the departmental procedures including storage of paper records and ensure that images are recorded.
- To undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated analysis of specimens including high risk samples
- To prioritise and plan own workload including to identify and expedite urgent and priority samples and communicate own work priorities within the team.
- To supervise other more junior members of staff where appropriate.
- To be able to accurately enter and retrieve data from the laboratory computer and manual record systems and comply with relevant legislation regarding data protection.
- Liaise with other Pathology departments, wards, GPs and other service users regarding non analytical problems with samples.
- To carry out routine maintenance, calibration and act as a first line problem solver for the analysers in the laboratory and in point of care locations to ensure correct functioning and to complete appropriate log sheets and record remedial action taken.
- Contribute to the evaluation of new analytical equipment
- To exercise judgment when dealing with enquiries from other Pathology Department and users of the laboratory.
- To train other hospital staff, where appropriate, including doctors, nurses and HCAs, keeping accurate records of trained staff and issuing barcodes and competency certificates as required.
- To prepare and pack samples for dispatch to other laboratories ensuring packaging meets current regulations.
- To monitor the quality of samples arriving in the laboratory.
- To prepare, store and use chemical reagents required for laboratory investigations.
- To use departmental resources efficiently and store goods I n a safe and appropriate manneron receipt in the laboratory.
- To monitor stocks of reagents and consumables and requisition supplies when they areapproaching minimum stock levels. This will include precise data on stock items detailingexpiry and date delivered.
- To undertake general laboratory housekeeping as specified in the SOPs and monitoring of thetemperature of refrigerators, freezers and incubators.
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with internal staff and external groupssuch as patients, GPs, Community Care workers, Health Care Providers and other relevantorganisations as required.
- Contribute to research and development projects including processing and storing of samplesfor research projects.
- Attendance at any off-site training courses considered appropriate to the role.
- To take part in Joint Annual Review (PDR) as directed.