NHS Scotland
Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner - Laboratory Medicine
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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC)
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The Role
Applications are invited from individuals with a scientific background for the above post in the Haematology/Blood Transfusion Laboratory. This post is based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work in the haematology/blood transfusion sections.
Suitable candidates must have successfully completed or working towards completion of an HNC/HND in Biomedical Science/Applied Science. Knowledge and experience of haematology/blood transfusion laboratory work would be an advantage, but full training will be provided. Keyboard skills are essential. The hours will be variable and will consist of 36 hours over a 7-day week. A 24-hour shift system will be in operation.
You will be required to achieve the mandatory Induction standards for Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland and to comply with the Code of Conduct throughout your employment.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern
- There are 3x full-time posts available, working 36 hours per week:
- 1x fixed-term for 9 months
- 1x fixed-term for 6 months
- 1x permanent
- The roles will be based in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF.
- The shift pattern is 24/7.
Key Responsibilities
- Prioritises urgent requests and ensures they are directed to the appropriate section of the laboratory in a timely manner.
- Packages samples & arrange transport for investigations carried out at a secondary testing centre.
- Oversees the work of Medical Laboratory Assistants and acts as an initial point of contact should any problems arise.
- Carries out duties in accordance with the departmental health and safety policy.
- Responsible for the timely direction of samples to the appropriate section and informing staff of urgent requests.
- Handle and assess suitability of samples for analysis.
- Perform near patient testing dependent on discipline.
- Report any failures in Quality control to more senior member of staff.
- Safely operate the laboratory instruments according to established protocols and recognise when results deviate from normal and take appropriate action.
- Plan & prioritise own work & the work of HCS Support workers to meet departmental deadlines.
- Deal with telephone enquiries and direct any queries to the appropriate people.
- Enter patient demographics and retrieve results as requested respecting patient confidentiality and data protection at all times.
- Train and supervise HCS Support workers as directed, ensuring safe working practices at all times.
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Knowledge, Training, Qualifications and/or Experience Required to Do the Job
- Minimum of SVQ level 3 with at least 2 years experience as Healthcare Science Support worker with a commitment to study for and gain an HND in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification OR direct entry for those possessing an HND.
- Commitment to meet the NHS Scotland Healthcare Support worker induction standards & codes of practice.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work both as part of a team & on own initiative.
- Knowledge of Health & Safety, Standard Operating Procedures.
- Experience & basic knowledge of computers is essential as well as a willingness to learn new procedures.
What We Offer
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:
- A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays.
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits.
- Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme.
- Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses.
- Enhanced pay for working public holidays.
- NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services.
- Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies.
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Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For An Informal Discussion, Please Contact
Catherine Lopkin, Sector Lab Manager, 0141 354 9094, Catherine.Lopkin2@nhs.scot
Details on How to Contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process
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Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically. Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers. Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.
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