Associate Practitioner HODS

Job Summary

We are seeking a proactive member of staff that can demonstrate team spirit, initiative, diligence, flexibility, and enthusiasm to train further. You will be working in a state-of-the-art Haemato-Oncology diagnostic laboratory within 3 main sections: Immunophenotyping, Molecular Genetics, and Histology, plus specimen reception.

The post holder will assist other scientific staff in the provision of diagnostic testing for the Haemato-Oncology Diagnostic Service (HODS) department, to facilitate the diagnosis of leukaemia/lymphoma, both for the Trust and as part of the regional service, covering Merseyside and Cheshire. Routine and more specialist work is also undertaken on behalf of patients from General Practices.

This role primarily provides technical support to the biomedical staff, in accordance with departmental protocols and under appropriate supervision.

The post holder will work closely with the medical, scientific, and clerical staff in the directorate, other hospital staff, and staff from other hospitals/primary care.

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week, 08:30 - 17:00 Mon - Fri, with an extended working week planned (some weekend working).

Main Duties of the Job

The postholder will be working in the HODS laboratory within specimen reception and the 3 main laboratory sections. They will primarily assist BMSs and Clinical Scientists in the provision of diagnostic testing. Duties include:

1. Receipt of specimens into the department
2. Slide preparation for morphology
3. Prepare samples for Immunophenotyping panels
4. Preparing samples for genetics testing, for example, DNA/RNA extraction
5. Use automated and manual methods for molecular genetic testing
6. Perform daily maintenance and quality control tasks in accordance with departmental SOPs
7. Perform staining techniques
8. Assist in preparing tissue and instrumentation ready for processing
9. Using microtomy to prepare slides from tissue blocks
10. Set up immunocytochemistry panels
11. Participation in tasks required for maintenance of our Quality Management System

They will be required to fulfil all their duties on a rotational basis through specimen reception and the three laboratory sections.

About Us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic, and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

Date Posted: 14 April 2025

Pay Scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 4

Salary: £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time

Reference Number: 287-LCL-15-25

Job Locations: Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool, L7 8YE

Job Responsibilities

To participate in the routine work of the HODS laboratory in accordance with departmental protocols.

To participate in some of the specialised areas of the department when required.

Undertake tasks required for CPA accreditation e.g. reviewing SOPs.

To handle chemicals and biological materials in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols.

Daily maintenance and use of equipment such as Flow cytometers, SPA, LWA and others.

Disinfection of specimen reception areas.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential:

• Demonstrate an understanding of patient confidentiality

Desirable:

• Show an awareness of H&S requirements
• Should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the post applied for

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Previous experience of working in a clinical setting

Qualifications

Essential:

• A levels/BTEC or equivalent

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.