Job Title: Associate Practitioner
Department: Molecular Pathology
Location: 1 Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9AX
Contract/Hours: Fixed Term (12 Months), Full Time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary range: Up to £38,005.20 per annum DOE inclusive of regional pay allowance

About us:
Sonic Healthcare is an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the world’s leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.
Sonic Healthcare UK encompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 3,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.
Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.

About the role:
To help in the smooth and efficient running of a section within the Department of Molecular Virology to ensure safe, rapid, timely and accurate reporting of results. To prepare and process clinical specimens under the direct supervision of registered scientists.
The post holder will be required to work within any section of the department, including core and unsocial hours as required.

Main Duties:

• Following training, to participate in all aspect of diagnostic laboratory work, whilst adhering to standard operating procedures and participating in their regular review and update.
• To evaluate and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures. To use, maintain, calibrate and control a range of specialist laboratory equipment.
• To understand the laboratory protocols for routine and confirmatory procedures and to have a knowledge of the most appropriate investigation for some of the samples received.
• To learn to recognise and analyse anomalous results and be able to bring them to the attention of senior staff as required. To validate assays performed, under supervision, according to manufacturers’ instructions, quality control and acceptance criteria.
• To provide written and verbal test results, under direct supervision, for all service users according to standard protocols and keep accurate laboratory records.
• To be able to investigate and attempt to resolve laboratory problems and errors, but to refer all queries and problems to a senior member of staff.
• To accurately record deliveries of consumables, test kits and reagents, including batch numbers and expiry dates. To assist colleagues with stock maintenance and store keeping.
• To support and contribute the discipline’s Quality Management System by participating in audits and other quality activities, e.g. the quality control, monitoring and analysis of a range of automated laboratory equipment.
• To assist when required in the preparation of documentation for UKAS (ISO) accreditation.
• To support quality improvement within the discipline by ensuring the successful monitoring and performance of quality standards and key performance indicators.
• To take responsibility in staff development by assisting in staff training and supervision as delegated.
• To initiate and select, after training, and in conjunction with scientific and medical staff, appropriate follow-up and confirmatory investigations after primary testing. To develop skills for the microscopy of samples.
• To ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively within the work area.
• To perform other reasonable duties as directed.

Training and Education

• To ensure statutory, mandatory, and professional status is adhered to at all times.
• To ensure personal competencies for the work performed are completed and up to date.
• To provide ‘on the bench’ training for more junior members of laboratory staff and others as and when required.
• To maintain own personal and professional development and attend departmental meetings as required.
• To take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.

General Duties

• To become familiar with the day – to day organisation of the department as it affects your work. You should be aware of the functions of the members of staff in the department as they affect your work. To attend laboratory meetings as required.
• To undertake such work as you are assigned in a careful and efficient way and in compliance with current standards, regulatory requirements and the Sonic Healthcare UK Quality Management System.
• To communicate in a friendly, helpful and non-prejudicial manner in your dealings with staff, clients and / or customers as you will be regarded as a representative of your department as well as the Company, and you should behave accordingly. Matters regarding patients are confidential and must not be discussed except in the course of your duties. You will be expected to sign an undertaking to observe all patient and Company confidentiality.
• To be aware of and abide by the rules and codes of the department. This is particularly important in the case of Health and Safety and Fire procedures. To behave in a professional and respectful manner, completing your work carefully and efficiently, following procedures and cooperating fully with colleagues to support a positive collaborative working environment.
• You will be trained for the work you are expected to do. Do not attempt any work unless you are confident that you can carry it out properly.
• To adhere to and to positively promote the Sonic Healthcare UK Core Values.
• To maintain high standards of work within your department.
• Other duties as assigned the Molecular Virology Operations Manager.

At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

• Training and development opportunities – supporting professional development
• Annual salary review – salary and progression are aligned to our internal transparent pay structure (Progression Plus), supporting career development and structured annual salary reviews
• Discounted gym membership – we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms
• Cash healthcare plan – cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians
• Sick Pay Entitlement – one month’s full pay and one month’s half pay after probation
• Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover
• Life Assurance – providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)
• Employee Assistance Programme – supporting staff wellbeing
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme – interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket
• Perkbox – Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts
• Company Pension Scheme – company and staff contributions which increase with service
• Competitive annual leave allowance – 29 days.
• Flexible working hours – we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure that your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required. We respect and value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from diverse communities. PLEASE NOTE: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS VACANCY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF A CLOSING DATE IS SHOWN HERE OR IN ANY OTHER MEDIA.