About this role
Job summary
Path Links is a networked Pathology Service offering a wide range of diagnostic investigations on tissue, blood, and fluid samples performed by a multidisciplinary Pathology team within the network delivering an effective, high quality and responsive 24hr services to patients, Clinicians and General Practitioners.
All Path Links laboratories work to national United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards. Regular assessments by external auditors from UKAS assess laboratory compliance with the published standards and ensure that the service provided meets the needs and requirements of users. A fundamental component of the Path Links quality framework is the application and integration of Lean principles, together with other continuous improvement tools, to all aspects of service provision across the organisation.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the successful applicant to join our Andrology team and train as an Andrology Associate Practitioner.
This is a very interesting and niche area of pathology.
Main duties of the job
An Andrology Associate Practitioner is a member of an Andrology team which is part of the wider Blood Sciences team working within the Path Links Pathology service. They are required to examine semen samples to ascertain fertility status, and post vasectomy samples for the presence or absence of sperm.
Delegated work and duties will be arranged and performed under the indirect supervision of a State Registered Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner utilising Standard Operating Procedures.
A period of "in house " training, practical assessment of competency, plus continuing acceptable performance in annual competency assessments and National External Quality Control are all required to continue to practice.
We are happy to support the successful candidate to complete their certificate of competence in diagnostic semen analysis from the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) if they wish. This would mean they were a fully qualified andrology practitioner at the end of the contract and make them a very desirable candidate to future employers. In addition to this, skills and experience gained in the role would be transferable to other laboratory roles.
We are also happy to support other qualifications e.g. IBMS registration portfolio if the successful candidate holds a biomedical science degree.
About us
Path Links is a networked Pathology service working within Boston, Lincoln, Grantham, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals. We are part of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust which covers Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals.
We encourage all our staff to innovate and adopt 'best practice' so we can deliver excellent care to our patients. We ask staff to live our values; kindness, courage and respect. We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. You could be one of them.
To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, and discover the unique benefits on offer to employees, view our latest videos, plus more, please visit our recruitment website at https://joinnlag.co.uk/
Should we receive a high volume of applications for this vacancy, the advert may be closed earlier than stated. To view a full job description and person specification please see attachments on this advert.
In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.
"We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children/vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers".
Please be aware that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if it is required for their role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Meeting with patients and partners to take receipt of specimens for fertility testing and post vasectomy testing, ensuring that any problems are handled and communicated in a sensitive manner, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.
Preparation of samples for processing, including use of centrifuges where appropriate.
Sample identification and numbering of andrology samples including investigation of missing / lost or mislabeled samples.
Entry of patient & specimen data onto laboratory data systems. To assist in the collection of quality data as required.
The processing of semen specimens under the indirect supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist (BMS)
Using a microscope, to undertake subjective analytical screening of seminal fluid samples adhering to the latest WHO guidelines. This will include initial identification of sperm abnormalities, sperm counts, and analysis of fertility parameters for subsequent authorisation by BMS or Consultant staff.
The post holder will have responsibility, where circumstances dictate, to request retests of samples, the recall of sample results, to analyse the samples and produce test reports, which inform future diagnosis and clinical pathways.
After a post qualification period of at least 12 months and following further assessment, to examine External Quality Control samples as part of a National Quality assurance scheme).
Maintain a minimum examination rate of 500 samples per annum.
Use of laboratory equipment, for example staining machines, use of calibrated equipment to make accurate measurements, etc. as appropriate.
Record keeping, including recording the temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, water baths, incubators etc. where appropriate.
Equipment checks, including periodic maintenance and checking of equipment such as calibrated pipettes, and staining machines ensuring that they meet laboratory standards.
The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the review of Andrology working procedures and proactively proposing changes to both Andrology policies and SOPs to improve the effectiveness of the department and services to its users.
Stock management, including the recording of reagent stocks as they are delivered into the laboratory, and advising appropriate personnel when stock levels are low.
Chemical reagent preparation and replacement as appropriate to the department.
Pre-acceptance testing of reagents and consumables associated with andrology testing.
Dealing with telephone enquiries and booking of appointments. To provide advice to patients and service users on patient preparation requirements prior to sample provision.
Filing of laboratory requests, completed samples or microscope slides, and laboratory reports from reference laboratories.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant Healthcare Science Diploma, or comparable demonstrable occupational experience attained through a combination of: NVQ 3 (or equivalent) or two science A levels at grade A-C.
- Experience in an NHS Pathology Laboratory
Desirable
- IT Skills
- Experience in Microscopy
Occupational Experience
Essential
- Previous science based roles
- Previous experience in customer facing roles
Desirable
- Previous laboratory experience
- Previous NHS experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
Scartho Road
Grimsby
DN33 2BA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)