Associate Practitioner

To perform tests and investigations where training has been provided and competency acquired. Perform support staff duties where appropriate. To be adaptable to change and to work flexibly in an efficient and timely manner. To use, maintain, quality control and calibrate complex and expensive laboratory equipment. To monitor stock levels and inform senior staff when stock requires reordering. To participate in External and Internal Quality Assurance schemes, as part of the laboratory. To record incidents and anomalies in conjunction with senior staff as soon as possible. To participate in the recording and collection of departmental statistics. To assist in the production of departmental policies and procedures. To manage the rejection of specimens that fail to meet the specimen acceptance policy criteria. To maintain high professional standards by keeping up to date with advances in point of care testing. To be aware of and adhere to the requirements of the Quality Management System of the RCHT Pathology specialty, and to contribute to the programme of continued quality improvements to further meet the needs and requirements of service users. To demonstrate a positive and responsive attitude to the work of the laboratory, to other members of the team and to service users. To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful, and concise manner and to maintain patient or commercial confidentiality. Safety To work in a safe manner, in accordance with the Trust and Laboratory safety policies, using Personal protective equipment and other control measures when required. To work safely with bio-hazardous materials adopting Universal Precautions as appropriate. To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner. To attend annual mandatory security, safety, fire, and manual handling training. To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory. To report accidents and near misses according to the laboratory protocol. To observe departmental policies on Manual Handling procedures, Violence and Aggression, COSHH and general H&S. General cleaning, disinfection and maintenance of laboratory work benches and laboratory equipment. To observe waste disposal protocols. To observe departmental and Trust rules on security. To conduct risk assessments as required.