Healthcare Science Associate

The department of Microbiology and Virology is looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our department. The posts are primarily supporting the Molecular Hot Lab which is based at the RVI, however there will also be rotations through the main laboratory at the Freeman Hospital.
The successful applicants will work as part of a team carrying out a range of analytical procedures, providing a 24/7 service to patients across the Trust. Participation in late shifts, night shifts and weekends is therefore an essential requirement of the successful applicant.
Comprehensive training will be provided and future personal development is actively encouraged.
+ Interview Date: 22nd and 23rd October 2024
+ 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
+ You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy., The post holder will support the department by performing microbiological and virological analysis on a range of patient samples. They will be given the opportunity to rotate through other sections of the department and will also be required to assist in departmental quality assurance programmes., + A Healthcare Science Associate is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment.
+ The Healthcare Science Associate will use practical skills to carry out tasks associated with the pre-analytical preparation of specimens as well as direct analysis of samples for a limited range of tests using rapid molecular techniques, blood sciences platforms and some culture based investigations.
+ Specimen reception: To deal with the reception, sorting and labelling of patient specimens, identifying inadequate and mislabelled specimens and ensuring urgent samples are prioritised.
+ To ensure correct and timely transfer of microbiology and virology samples between testing sites.
+ Data entry, preparing specimens for analysis, including booking in-patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens.
+ To analyse a limited range of patient samples to detect microbial pathogens such as SARS-COV-2, Influenza A Virus, Strep A and MRSA in line with departmental SOPs.
+ To provide contingency support to ED-Runner service if capacity allows.
+ To load/unload blood culture bottles from automated blood culture system and ensure positive bottles are transported appropriately.
+ To learn new tasks appropriate to role of healthcare science associates as scope of role expands to meet the needs of service delivery.
+ Operate, maintain and basic trouble shoot departmental analysers, in line with departmental SOPs.
+ To undertake simple analytical procedures under guidance, maintain and operate laboratory equipment in accordance with departmental SOPs.
+ To manually transcribe and record laboratory data, input to and manipulation of the laboratory computer system and derivation of worksheets.
+ To receive requests for information by telephone and respond appropriately.
+ To prepare and reconstitute reagents and control materials and other processes as required, recording stock levels, maintenance of instruments and equipment, and keeping appropriate records both manually and electronic.
+ To manage the day to day Quality Assurance for rapid testing provision by conducting, monitoring and resulting tests on appropriate schemes.
+ To support in the management of Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices across the Trust, including training, audit and quality control.
+ To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for yourself, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
+ Supporting in the training of new members of HCSA staff.
+ The post holder will be required to support provision of 24/7 Hot Lab service by working evening shifts, weekend shifts and night shifts once trained on a rotational basis.
+ The post holder will be required to work in microbiology at the Freeman site on a rotational basis.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.

Applicants must have experience in laboratory medicine. They must have effective communication skills and demonstrable leadership qualities. They must align to Trust Values and be flexible and reactive to service needs.
From an academic perspective the post holder must have attained a foundation degree or equivalent in a health care sciences subject. It is important that applicants have the ability to effectively use common IT packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team., Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.