Associate Practitioner Chemical Pathology (Clinical Trials), Band 4

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The laboratory provides an analytical and clinical interpretive service to the health community in Gloucestershire, including all inpatients/outpatients in the acute and community hospitals and all GP surgeries. It processes over 1,000,000 patient requests (8.2 million tests) per annum and provides a 24 hrs per day 365 days per year service to each of the two hospitals at Gloucester and Cheltenham.
The department actively supports a number of Research and Innovation projects within the Trust and this requires the processing of specimens on a daily basis. The Laboratory is involved with over 40 active Research and Innovation studies, across both sites, with more coming on-line regularly.
The role is a 12 month fixed term contract.
The proposed interview date is 12th September
Primary job purpose will be to support all Research and Innovation work receipted in the Chemical Pathology Department. To include checking sample suitability, processing samples according to protocols, shipping samples and maintaining integrity of record keeping and additional data.
Performing all routine and non-routine tasks required prior to sample analysis. To receipt, unpack and prepare a wide range of samples relating to Research and Innovation Programmes. Ensure relevant specimens are analysed/prepared and that all activity relating to Research and Innovation specimens are accurately recorded in both electronic and written formats as required.
To ensure all Research and Innovation work is correctly stored post procedure, before facilitating the dispatch of all Research and Innovation workloads as and when required.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest hospital trusts in England, delivering services from two general hospitals.
The Chemical Pathology Department provides a UKAS accredited analytical and clinical interpretive service to support over 620,000 individuals within the health community in Gloucestershire, including all inpatients/outpatients (in the acute and community hospitals) and all GP practices.
We are a hard working team focused on improving patient outcomes and delivering high quality and fast turnaround times for all patient test requests.

Technical Role

• To receive and unpack a range of blood samples and other sample types (predominantly arriving Research and Innovation)
• To check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances
• Recognise Research and Innovation samples that are required for Chemical Pathology and those that need to be moved on to other Pathology disciplines
• Follow (sometimes) complex protocols for the handling of Research and Innovation Samples.
• To recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times. Understand that Research and Innovation Samples come with different style labels to routine specimens receipted in the lab and therefore requires specialised attention to detail.
• To prepare samples for analysis on a range of different analytical platforms. This may include barcode labelling, centrifugation, preparation of aliquots, measurement of sample volume e.g. urine; distribution of samples.
• To record Trials data including dates, trial numbers and condition of samples, accurately on the appropriate log sheets, showing high level of attention to detail.
• To ensure all Trials samples are stored in the appropriate freezer devices as detailed in relevant documented protocols. Ensuring easy retrieval of specimens is possible when requiring them to be sent away.
• To prepare samples for dispatch to other sites in accordance with postal regulations including samples requiring special transport conditions. To liaise with Portering services staff, and drivers (internal and external) to arrange appropriate transportation.
• To perform weekly housekeeping duties relating to Research and Innovation to ensure sample logs detail relevant specimens currently in storage.
• Operate analysers, pre- and post-analytical equipment under the supervision of HCPC registered Healthcare Scientists.
• Undertake maintenance procedures as directed by SOP’s and operator manuals.
• Responsibility for ensuring all tests are performed according to established laboratory standard operating procedures and within agreed turnaround times.
• To ensure the quality of the analytical service is maintained to UKAS ISO 15189 standards.
• Responsibility for ensuring safe use of expensive and complex equipment by undertaking regular in house maintenance and maintaining appropriate records.
• To inform Team Leaders and/or Healthcare Scientists of any equipment or analytical issues.
• To comply with quality control procedures.
• Manager/Consultant Speciality Director.
• To assist in the collection and data input for various Research and Innovation into laboratory software and relevant delegate logs
• To perform audits of Research and Innovation Processes, logging non-conformities and required error logging when required.
• Uses Q Pulse to record activities and issues such as NCRs, audits, document control.
• Participates in the receipting and processing of up to 100 SIREN Trial samples per day and up to 100 Research and Innovation specimens from 4 other Research and Innovation per week.
• Undertake projects for Research and Innovation as instructed by the Speciality Team manager.
• Undertake various admin responsibilities relating to all Research and Innovation.

2) Supervisory Role

• To support the Healthcare Scientists in the supervision of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants and new Healthcare Practitioners.

3) Human Resources Role

• To assist with the induction of new staff.
• To act as mentor for new members of staff, as required
• To assist in the training of Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• To be an active member of Laboratory, Section & other laboratory meetings
• To assist with the training and support of all staff involved in supporting Research and Innovation.

4) Financial Role

• Responsibility to ensure the best value and cost-efficient use of all reagents, Quality Control material and consumables
• To help maintain appropriate financial records
• Unpacking large multi reagent deliveries with appropriate record keeping and notifying Healthcare Scientist staff of discrepancies.
• Regularly review the appropriate usage of all materials within the Chemical Pathology department

5) Information Technology & Quality Role

• As commensurate with the access level of an Associate Practitioner Band 4 perform routine tasks on the laboratory computer system.
• To contribute to the performance of all routine ‘housekeeping’ tasks on the laboratory computer system.
• Use Microsoft office to produce standard operating procedures and other bench based record sheets etc.
• Use Microsoft Excel to process and review large quantities of Research and Innovation data.
• To assist with data collection that may be required for audits, as directed by Healthcare Scientist and lead A&C staff
• To carry out routine audits as agreed with the senior staff
• To review established Standard Operating Procedures and notify senior staff of required changes where appropriate.
• All staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trust’s legal, regulatory and accountability requirements.
• All employees are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and must maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient’s and staff’s records.

6) Professional Role

• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities. Undertake and maintain equipment and procedural competencies.
• To be involved with the training of allied healthcare professionals.
• To keep abreast of developments in the laboratory and in Research and Innovation.
• Dress and act in a professional manner at all times

7) Research, Development & Clinical Governance

• To be involved with the implementation of major items of highly complex instrumentation and evaluation of new methodologies.

8) Miscellaneous

• Full participation in all identified shifts is required and may require some flexibility to work beyond the end of shifts when problems occur.
• With reference to work undertaken, provide advice to users of the service.
• Attend laboratory meetings (including educational meetings) whenever possible but to the minimum attendance standard set by the department.
• Ensure all competencies are kept up-to-date.
• Ensure Health and Safety (including Clinical Governance and Management of Risk) standards are maintained in order to create a safe environment for staff to work in
• To participate in an annual appraisal and development review meeting.
• To comply with the Trust no smoking policy.
• To comply with the Trusts policies with regard to kindness and respect.

Communications & Working Relationships

The post holder will be required to communicate face-to-face and by telephone, e-mail and in writing to a wide range of health professionals and non-health professionals, including but not exclusively;

• All members of the Chemical Pathology staff across both sites
• Members of other pathology departments
• Research and Innovation Staff both over the phone and face to face within the department.
• Clinicians, GPs, Nurses and other hospital and primary care staff
• Patients
• Supplier representatives and engineers
• Key working relationships will exist between the post holder and the other Healthcare Practitioners and the Referral Manager and PA to the Senior Scientific Staff
• Will have a good working relationship with NHS staff of all grades involved in Research and Innovation.

Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions

• Daily pressures and stresses of processing a high workload with frequent interruptions using sophisticated equipment to obtain accurate timely results.
• Requirement to work with absolute accuracy and speed during periods of prolonged concentration.
• Handle potentially infectious blood and body fluids, faeces etc. with unpleasant smells/odours together with the risk associated in handling hazardous chemicals.
• Working on contaminated equipment or work areas.
• Potential of sharps injury.
• Working in hot conditions with protective clothing, coats, gloves and goggles.
• Constant background noise from equipment.
• Make frequent repetitive movements.
• Requirement for a considerable amount of manual dexterity in processing paediatric samples and maintaining equipment. Maintenance often involves use of delicate instruments whilst working on highly sensitive and complex analytical equipment where accuracy of setup is crucial to the delivery of correct results.
• Limited amount of lifting, bending but a considerable amount of standing.
• Frequent long periods of use of a VDU

Technical Role

• To receive and unpack a range of blood samples and other sample types (predominantly arriving Research and Innovation)
• To check that the correct sample type has been received, correct sample labelling and suitability for diagnostic investigations, in accordance with Pathology laboratory policies and standard operating procedures (SOP); to take appropriate action for non-compliances
• Recognise Research and Innovation samples that are required for Chemical Pathology and those that need to be moved on to other Pathology disciplines
• Follow (sometimes) complex protocols for the handling of Research and Innovation Samples.
• To recognise, prioritise and fast-track urgent samples to ensure minimal delay to patient treatment and waiting times. Understand that Research and Innovation Samples come with different style labels to routine specimens receipted in the lab and therefore requires specialised attention to detail.
• To prepare samples for analysis on a range of different analytical platforms. This may include barcode labelling, centrifugation, preparation of aliquots, measurement of sample volume e.g. urine; distribution of samples.
• To record Trials data including dates, trial numbers and condition of samples, accurately on the appropriate log sheets, showing high level of attention to detail.
• To ensure all Trials samples are stored in the appropriate freezer devices as detailed in relevant documented protocols. Ensuring easy retrieval of specimens is possible when requiring them to be sent away.
• To prepare samples for dispatch to other sites in accordance with postal regulations including samples requiring special transport conditions. To liaise with Portering services staff, and drivers (internal and external) to arrange appropriate transportation.
• To perform weekly housekeeping duties relating to Research and Innovation to ensure sample logs detail relevant specimens currently in storage.
• Operate analysers, pre- and post-analytical equipment under the supervision of HCPC registered Healthcare Scientists.
• Undertake maintenance procedures as directed by SOP’s and operator manuals.
• Responsibility for ensuring all tests are performed according to established laboratory standard operating procedures and within agreed turnaround times.
• To ensure the quality of the analytical service is maintained to UKAS ISO 15189 standards.
• Responsibility for ensuring safe use of expensive and complex equipment by undertaking regular in house maintenance and maintaining appropriate records.
• To inform Team Leaders and/or Healthcare Scientists of any equipment or analytical issues.
• To comply with quality control procedures.
• Manager/Consultant Speciality Director.
• To assist in the collection and data input for various Research and Innovation into laboratory software and relevant delegate logs
• To perform audits of Research and Innovation Processes, logging non-conformities and required error logging when required.
• Uses Q Pulse to record activities and issues such as NCRs, audits, document control.
• Participates in the receipting and processing of up to 100 SIREN Trial samples per day and up to 100 Research and Innovation specimens from 4 other Research and Innovation per week.
• Undertake projects for Research and Innovation as instructed by the Speciality Team manager.
• Undertake various admin responsibilities relating to all Research and Innovation

2) Supervisory Role

• To support the Healthcare Scientists in the supervision of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants and new Healthcare Practitioners

3) Human Resources Role

• To assist with the induction of new staff.
• To act as mentor for new members of staff, as required
• To assist in the training of Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• To be an active member of Laboratory, Section & other laboratory meetings
• To assist with the training and support of all staff involved in supporting Research and Innovation

4) Financial Role

• Responsibility to ensure the best value and cost-efficient use of all reagents, Quality Control material and consumables
• To help maintain appropriate financial records
• Unpacking large multi reagent deliveries with appropriate record keeping and notifying Healthcare Scientist staff of discrepancies.
• Regularly review the appropriate usage of all materials within the Chemical Pathology departmen

5) Information Technology & Quality Role

• As commensurate with the access level of an Associate Practitioner Band 4 perform routine tasks on the laboratory computer system.
• To contribute to the performance of all routine ‘housekeeping’ tasks on the laboratory computer system.
• Use Microsoft office to produce standard operating procedures and other bench based record sheets etc.
• Use Microsoft Excel to process and review large quantities of Research and Innovation data.
• To assist with data collection that may be required for audits, as directed by Healthcare Scientist and lead A&C staff
• To carry out routine audits as agreed with the senior staff
• To review established Standard Operating Procedures and notify senior staff of required changes where appropriate.
• All staff have an individual responsibility for creating accurate records of their work and for making entries into and managing all NHS records effectively in line with the Health Record Keeping Policy and other Health Records and Corporate Records Management policies and procedures in order to meet the Trust’s legal, regulatory and accountability requirements.
• All employees are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and must maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient’s and staff’s records

6) Professional Role

• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities. Undertake and maintain equipment and procedural competencies.
• To be involved with the training of allied healthcare professionals.
• To keep abreast of developments in the laboratory and in Research and Innovation.
• Dress and act in a professional manner at all time