Associate Practitioner – BacteriologyinBristolinBristolPUBLISHED WED 12 MAR 2025

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.

Please note that this role comes with a Market Pay Supplement to bring minimum earnings to £26,308.

The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.

The applicant must have a keen interest in science educated to A-level or an equivalent qualification. Previous extensive experience of working in a clinical microbiology laboratory, evidence of using complex laboratory equipment and an understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures and protocols is desirable.

The post holder will report on biomedical investigations and utilise the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists. You will rotate through different sections in the laboratory and be expected to supervise and train staff. You should be a good communicator and effective at prioritising competing workloads.

About us

The main duties would be:

• To participate in the provision of a diagnostic service including the production of reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters.
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all bacteriological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist Biomedical Scientists where appropriate by planning the days work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in particular projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training Medical Lab Assistants / Healthcare Scientific Support Workers staff within the Bacteriology Department.
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in the competency training manual and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in the maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
• To undertake other duties and assume other responsibilities commensurate with this grade.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a pathology laboratory
• Experience of the use of pathology laboratory computer systems
• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice to pathology laboratories
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of sample requirements and ability to recognise inappropriate samples
• IT and keyboard skills
• Ability to work accurately with minimum supervision
• Ability to work with complex analytical equipment

Desirable criteria

• Degree in relevant science subject
• Experience participating in the delivery of staff training

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, experience and abilities.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed nine essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Please note that only those applications meeting all the essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, experience, and ability will be tested at interview.

There will be a technical test.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Bristol, Southmead Hospital, Pathology Sciences Building, BS10 5NB. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays on a rotational basis, and toparticipate in the provision of the out-of-hours services 24/7.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is a Counter Terrorism Check.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.

UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.