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Job summary

Main area
Blood Sciences
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
12 months (Fixed term until 31st March 2027. All existing NHS staff will only be considered on a secondment basis. with option to extend contract or make permanent if funding allows.)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 09:00 until 17:00 with 30 minute break.)
Job ref
190-1418-DIR
Employer
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sheffield Children's Hospital
Town
Sheffield
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 per annum pro rata for part-time staff
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/04/2026 23:59
Interview date
30/04/2026

Employer heading

NHS

Biomedical Science Associate Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes , health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Practitioner based in the Newborn Screening laboratory at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake roles in specimen processing in the laboratory, as well as a range of other duties including computer data entry and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

The laboratory provides neonatal bloodspot screening for a large area within England and this post will also assist with the analysis of samples for the early identification of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

 

Main duties of the job

To deliver scientific/ technical procedures previously performed by healthcare scientist practitioners, under the direction of the responsible healthcare scientist practitioner.

Assist in maintaining high scientific and technical standards.

Promote and maintain a high standard of relevant education and training.

Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out and may input/ interrogate test results of others.

Ensure all procedures are performed efficiently within the assigned time and in accordance with established protocols to the required standards.

Ability to prioritise work to ensure correct workflow through the laboratory and ensure urgent tests are processed according to SOP.

Assist in monitoring quality standards and perform audit as required.

To undertake appropriate ‘in service’ training over an extended period and complete training logs in all relevant areas of the department.

 

Working for our organisation

Sheffield Children's is one of five Trusts involved in the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (SYB) Pathology Network.  The aim of the Network is to deliver a Pathology Service that provides all SYB patients and clinicians with equitable access to high-quality, innovative laboratory medicine solutions that will ensure the best clinical outcomes for patients.  A collaborative Network will also provide rewarding job and career opportunities for all staff. 

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period until 31st March 2027 due to the post being recruited as part of a limited term project within the Trust. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts taking into consideration the requirement for the post to be maintained as a part of the project’s implementation and the timescales associated with this.

Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

 

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Level 4 qualification e.g. NVQ, HNC, BTEC, Apprenticeship or IBMS Certificate of Achievement (Part II) plus extensive laboratory experience Or Foundation Level Degree
Desirable criteria
  • Other relevant courses with regards H&S, supervision, quality or training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience with a range of laboratory techniques
Desirable criteria
  • Discipline specific NHS laboratory experience

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Keyboard and basic IT skills
  • Have an awareness of Health & Safety issues
  • Effective Communication skills, written and oral

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into healthStonewall Proud Employers Accreditation is a benchmarking scheme that helps employers assess and improve LGBTQ+ inclusion at work. Trailblazer status recognises organisations leading change with outstanding commitment and impact.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Harry Benn
Job title
Chief BMS
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0114 2717500
Additional information

Gillian Walton

Lab Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

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