About this role
Job summary
An exciting part time opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, confident, motivated, and hardworking individual to join our Infection Sciences team as a Healthcare Science Associate.
The post holder will work primarily at the North Tyneside General Hospital laboratory but will be required to rotate to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital laboratory, as part of the departments' shift system.
You will be responsible for performing a range of scientific procedures on biological samples contributing to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. This role contributes to the production of accurate and timely results, whilst supporting the ongoing development of pathology services.
Applicants will hold a Foundation Degree, the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Certificate of Achievement Part II or equivalent qualification.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received
Main duties of the job
You will work as a Healthcare Science Associate in the Microbiology department, and rotate through all sections of the laboratory.
You will also have a flexible approach to working, demonstrate good organisational skills and the ability to work under supervision, and alone, as well as mentoring support staff. Previous experience working in a NHS Microbiology laboratory is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.
The successful candidate will work during their initial period of training Monday to Friday between the hours of 07:30 and 22:00 including weekends and bank holiday shifts depending upon the needs of the service. Once fully trained and competency assessed, you will participate in a shift system, also rotating to our other laboratory at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.
About us
We provide Microbiology and Infection Control services to three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centre's. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.
Job description Job responsibilities
You will:
Work within the Infection Sciences service providing diagnostic support to acute hospitals, community services, and primary care.Prepare and process biological specimens for microbiological testing, under the guidance of a Biomedical Scientist/Team Leader/Manager, adhering to the SOPs, thus contributing to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection.Ensure urgent samples are prioritised.Undertake a variety of manual, semi-automated and automated procedures requiring skill and manual dexterity.Carry out basic troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.Perform general housekeeping duties including maintaining stock, reagent preparation, cleaning, and waste disposal.Perform a variety of clerical and administrative tasks, for example telephone inquiries from other departments, GPs, and other service users.Provide training, supervision and support to less experienced Healthcare Science Associates and Healthcare Science Assistants.
Pathology services operate across multiple Trust sites and provide a 24/7 service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
5 GCSE`s level A - C or 9-4 (must include Maths and English) IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part II, Foundation Degree Certificate or equivalent qualification e.g. HND/HNC
Desirable
oEvidence of CPD.
Experience and knowledge Essential
oKnowledge and understanding of the role of Pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of disease oKnowledge of Health & Safety, COSHH, and infection control oUnderstanding of Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Desirable
oPrevious experience of working in a Pathology laboratory oUnderstanding of laboratory techniques
Other requirements Essential
oAbility to work flexible hours, including participation in shift systems where required (including nights and weekends)
Desirable
oExperience of out-of-hours working
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 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)