Overview
Associate Practitioner - Microbiology - AfC Band 4. Are you ready for a new challenge in your career? As an Associate Practitioner, you will be trained in all areas of Bacteriology.
The post holder will undertake a wide range of routine laboratory tasks including specimen processing, removal and safe disposal of waste and laboratory clerical duties, in support of the diagnostic services of the department. The post holder will operate under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists. The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team providing a 24/7 service as required (including covering unsocial hours e.g., evenings, weekends and bank holidays). When appropriate the post holder will liaise with laboratory staff, medical staff and other hospital staff, customers, members of the public and other external contacts. The post holder will have previous practical experience in a biomedical laboratory or equivalent and will possess excellent manual dexterity and technical skills and the ability to work on their own or as part of a team. The Infection Sciences service is a collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and UKHSA and as such the post holder will be required, possibly at short notice, to respond to public health emergencies, including outbreaks and other emergency situations.
To understand more about Pathology at NBT, watch the video (not included here).
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of a State Registered Biomedical Scientist:
* Contribute to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
* Perform a number of technical activities under supervision, including testing patient samples/audit samples and research work, as appropriate to the training and qualifications of an Associate Practitioner.
* Maintain records in relation to laboratory activities.
* Supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area.
* Develop and improve professional expertise.
* The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a major disease outbreak.
* Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform the section leader if back-up stocks are low.
* To assist in the use and maintenance of automated equipment. Also to assist in troubleshooting when equipment problems occur.
* Supervise MLA / HSSW and other support staff.
* To communicate effectively with all members of the Microbiology team at all times.
* To attend training meetings and updates with senior staff on an ad hoc basis
* To liaise with users of the laboratory and to handle general telephone enquiries.
* To undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.
* To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
The Bacteriology Laboratory in Bristol forms part of Infection Sciences and is situated within the Pathology Sciences Building at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol Trust. A second small laboratory is situated within the Royal United Hospital in Bath. In total, the Laboratory undertakes approximately 1.4 million tests per annum and overall employs 200 highly motivated and dedicated staff.
Details
Date posted: 12 September 2025
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 339-CCS6788-LGG
Job location: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB
Qualifications and Experience
Education/Training/Qualifications
* Essential: NVQ level 3 clinical support work or A levels in Science or related subjects, or relevant experience.
* Desirable: Degree in relevant science subject
Work Experience
* Essential: 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.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
* Essential: Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
* Knowledge of sample requirements and ability to recognize inappropriate samples.
* IT and keyboard skills.
* Ability to work accurately with minimum supervision.
* Ability to work with complex analytical equipment.
* Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads.
Desirable
* Ability to participate in the delivery of staff training
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
* Be an effective team worker.
* Demonstrate a commitment to personal development.
* Able to exercise initiative.
Disclosures
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 National Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here on Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
Employer details
North Bristol NHS Trust
Address: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB
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