Job summaryThe job involves the processing of tissues achieving high quality, the fulfilling turnaround time to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of patients. Northampton General Hospital has a full-time Associate Practitioner at Band 4 Biomedical Scientist position.The histopathology department processes 25,000 histology and 3000 non-gynae cytology cases per annum and is looking for an individual who has a genuine interest and desires to provide a high-quality service to our patients. We require staff that is compassionate and empathetic to the needs of our service users and patients.To be an efficient and flexible member of the Histopathology laboratory team who will provide a high-quality diagnostic service through scientific and technical activities commensurate with the training and education of an Associate Practitioner.To maintain competence to practice and to improve professional expertise through in-house training and Continual Professional Development (CPDTo follow written Policies and Procedures, especially in relation to Health & Safety and Quality.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be a part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service.The post holder will participate in all quality activities and be expected to attend departmental meetings on a regular basis.The post holder will be required to train/teach the staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies.The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities within any of the sections of Pathology to comply with national standards e.g. ISO15189 and HTA.About usNorthampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.Our Excellence ValuesCompassionAccountabilityRespectIntegrityCourageWe want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesCommunicationCommunicate in a manner that is consistent with legislation policies and procedures.Communicate effectively with all members of the Pathology staff, clinicians, and visitors to the department.Improve communication by the use of communication skills.Be aware of possible barriers to communication and how to overcome them.Deal sensitively with patient/ clinician inquiries in stressful situations.Ensure confidentiality of all written verbal and electronic information.Keep accurate and complete records in line with legislation, policies, and procedures.Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients, and the public, referring to appropriate specialist requests for information outside their area of responsibility.Be able to use all relevant forms of communication.Attend and participate in departmental meetings.Personal and People DevelopmentTake responsibility for your own personal development and take an active part in learning opportunities.A portfolio must be maintained to demonstrate:-How the post holder is applying skills and knowledge in relation to their KSF outline.To record that the post holder is keeping up to date with current scientific and technical developments including participation in scientific meetings as appropriate.Be required to have achieved the appropriate qualification, e.g Foundation Degree in Healthcare Science.Be required to assist in the training and development of Biomedical Support Workers, in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.Attend all Mandatory and role-specific training.Health Safety and SecurityComply with the policies and procedures of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.Observe and adhere to local and national risk management and Health and safety policies.Safely handle potentially infectious body tissue and cytology specimens and hazardous chemicals on a daily basis.Keep the workbenches clean and tidy.Service ImprovementMaintain a flexible approach to the post in order to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns, and requirements.Alert their line manager when users of the service are adversely affected.Participate in audits and other service evaluations when required.Comment on any proposed changes to your own work area when required.QualityComply with good work practices in accordance with the standards of UKAS.Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.Undertake appropriate validation tests, as directed by Senior BMS.Be able to cope with the unpredictable workload and maintain quality.Recognize and take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods reporting any out-of-consensus results to registered BMS staff.Monitor the performance of biomedical support workers if requiredEquality & DiversityTreat everyone associated with Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust with dignity, courtesy, and respect.Be aware of and act in accordance with legislation and policies.Recognize and report behavior that undermines equality and diversity.Biomedical InvestigationBe able to interpret and follow standard operating procedures.Perform biomedical investigations to the point of technical validation as specified by the Senior BMS including:-Automated techniquesSemi-automated techniquesManual techniquesBe responsible for stock control of reagents and other consumables.Be responsible for resolving outstanding work lists.Be responsible for retrieving retrospective specimens.Check and confirm the identification and quality of specimens/samples at all relevant stages in line with established procedures and protocols including the checking of anomalous or abnormal results.Handle and deal with specimens/samples in a way which:-is consistent with the indicated degree of risk or urgency.maintains the required quality and integrity.maintains their unique identification and their links to relevant records/documentation.is appropriate to the nature and stage of the investigation.Assess the process and outcomes of investigations using the correct quality control criteria referring anomalous results to the biomedical scientist staff.Store and prepare and use reagents according to manufacturers instructions.Participate in the introduction of new methods in the laboratory.Refer to biomedical scientist staff in the case of incidents that put health and safety or the quality of specimens at risk.Comply with legislation, policies, and procedures.EquipmentResponsible for monitoring and performing daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of laboratory equipment, ensuring that logs are completed.Check the safety and functioning of all equipment.Perform simple troubleshooting and report malfunctions to BMS staff.Participate in the introduction of new equipment or methods to the department.Contribute to method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed.Assist in the resolution of equipment or method failures, which may include dismantling instruments to carry out simple repairs.Be able to use the sample tracking systems and store samples appropriately.Information Collection & analysisComply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.Use the Laboratory and appropriate Trust Information System according to the authorized protocols.Enter patient demographics and technical laboratory data into the Laboratory Information System.Collect and collate data/information effectively and to time, using set systems and consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.Be able to monitor the temperature monitoring system and act appropriately on temperature excursions.Stock control of reagents and other consumables.Confirm that the data/information meets pre-set quality criteria.Maintain the integrity of data/information using agreed procedures.Report the data/information clearly in the required format at the time agreed.People ManagementPlan and prioritize own work to meet deadlines.Supervise and allocate work to Biomedical Support Workers.Report poor performance to Biomedical Scientist staffPerson SpecificationEducations, Training and QualificationsEssentialMinimum of Foundation degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent e.g. IBMS Certificate of Competence level 1.GSCE's in Mathematics and English.Knowledge and ExperienceEssentialWorking experience in the relevant NHS Pathology discipline.Working on analytical platforms.Understanding of quality indices.DesirableExperience of co-ordinating day to day laboratory activities.Experience of listed current platforms in use.SkillsEssentialOral & written communication skills.Ability to transmit information to other healthcare professionals.Effective interpersonal skills.Analytical skills.Able to perform routine analytical techniques.Maintenance and troubleshooting on analytical equipment.Perform and interpret IQC, including reports and interpret within scope of practice.Planning & organisational skills.Prioritise own workload that will include a number of ongoing tasks.Work with minimum supervision and organise the workload of others.Basic IT skills to include use of Microsoft Office package.DesirableExperience of current Laboratory IT system.Key Competencies, Personal Qualities and AttributesEssentialTeam worker.Confident.Takes responsibility for own development.Positive attitude.Flexible.Adaptable to change.Attention to detail.Problem solving.Some physical effort required.Moving reagents.Inputting data.Able to multitask.Able to manage an unpredictable workload with changing priorities.Need to be able to concentrate for considerable periods when performing tests or validating test results.Indirect exposure to emotional situations.Could be exposed to stress situations particularly when working alone.On a daily basis need to be able deal with biological fluids and human tissues.Handle chemicals.Required to work out-of-hours as part of 24 hour 7 day service provision.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 detailsEmployer nameNorthampton General HospitalAddressNorthampton General HospitalCliftonvilleNorthamptonNN1 5BDEmployer's websitehttps://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)