We are now seeking an enthusiastic Biomedical Scientist/Specialist Biomedical Scientist with good interpersonal skills and a high degree of self-motivation to join the team. Working as an integral part of the laboratory team you will provide a specialist technical role in the Bacteriology and Virology sections of the department.
You will be responsible for reading benches, authorising some result types, supervision of MLA and AP staff and have responsibility for equipment use and maintenance. There will also be opportunity to take part in validation/verification projects and take responsibility for a technical function in the Lab (e.g. quality) Additionally, you will be expected to keep up to date with scientific and managerial development and support Senior staff and the Laboratory Manager in the provision of an efficient, expert, and cost effective Laboratory service. You should be willing to take an extra lab responsibility with appropriate support and training.
Your routine hours will be from 08:45 to 17:15 Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week). Working on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, on a rotational basis, is additionally required for this post. The post holder is required to participate in the on-call (out-of-hours) service provision.
There is a 5 % Recruitment and Retention premium available.
Biomedical Scientists (BMS) and Specialist BMS are an integral part of the laboratory team responsible for the diagnosisof infection and disease processes by the application of latest scientific knowledge, coupled with the most up to datescientific methods and use of traditional methods where required. BMS and Specialist BMS carry out, and interpret theresults of, laboratory tests on biomedical samples that will aid clinical staff in the diagnoses of illness and evaluate theeffectiveness of treatment.
Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do. You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other. Our values make us who we are.Service We will put our patients firstTeamwork We will work togetherAmbition We will aspire to provide the best serviceRespect We will act with integrity
Job description
Job responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
1. At all times to act in accordance with and adhere to laboratory and Trust procedures and protocols.
2. To work under the direction of Senior BMS staff in the provision of a diagnostic Microbiology service, working within departmental guidelines and safety policies.
3. To be responsible for health and safety issues pertinent to diagnostic laboratory work, adhering to all Trust and laboratory employment Health and Safety policies and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
4. To rotate (after suitable training and competency verification) through all sections of the Bacteriology and Virology department.
5. To participate in rotas covering Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday mornings as required.
6. To participate in the out-of-hours service in a lone worker situation.
7. To participate in mandatory training requirements of the Trust and attend training sessions, educational meetings and laboratory meetings as appropriate.
8. To participate in annual joint review in accordance with the Trust appraisal policy.
9. To be aware of and support the goal of providing a quality driven patient centred service, participating in the laboratorys quality management procedures.
10. To rectify and or bring to the attention of more senior staff/Laboratory Management any issues compromising this goal.
11. To be courteous and professional when dealing with other health care professionals
Technical (Bacteriology)
12. To interpret clinical details and patient demographic data for the allocation of tests to samples.13. To process biomedical samples using various techniques with a high degree of competency in accordance with standard operating procedures, providing accurate and timely appropriate results.
14. To accurately interpret and report timely complex analytical results, and authorise Microbiology reports according to laboratory policy.
15. To communicate effectively test results by telephone, printed report or electronic report, deal with telephone enquiries, and provide technical advice to laboratory users.
16. To be able to make decisions regarding the quality of specimens and the validity of test data and ensure any anomalies / errors are reported to Senior BMS staff as soon as possible.
17. To use complex and technical laboratory equipment in the course of their duties including maintenance and troubleshooting of the equipment.18. To participate in the evaluation of and verification of new methods and equipment.
19. To develop a specialist lead role in a technical area or item of equipment, including troubleshooting problems and reviewing protocols. Expertise and specialist knowledge may include one or more of the following functions:
- EUCAST
- NEQAS lead
- Bench Rotas
- Deputy Quality Officer
- ID/AST lead
- Parasitology lead
- Union Representative
- Health & Safety lead
- Deputy Training Officer
- Laboratory instrumentation lead
- Deputy Virology lead
Technical (Virology)
20. Undertake technical procedures and analysis for basic Virology tests within the section, including ensuring safe working practices for high-risk samples (e.g. HIV and Hepatitis)
21. Undertake assessment of clinical information accompanying samples with respect to assigning tests according to algorithms
22. Refer clinically significant results to the clinicians and Consultant Microbiologists
23. Undertake technical authorisation and validation of assays, producing patients results
24. After specific training Interpret results, assigning further tests or comments as appropriate
25. To liaise with the reference laboratories, ensuring appropriate reporting of referred tests
Scientific and professional
26. To maintain knowledge and experience equivalent to Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science.
27. To maintain current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
28. To maintain a high standard of professional competence and up-to-date knowledge of new developments in both the laboratory and clinical microbiology and maintain documented evidence of continuous professional development.
29. To undertake effective time management and prioritisation in the daily planning of own work, taking into account workload and urgency of analyses.
30. To be familiar with various software packages used within the department including the laboratory information system (Winpath), Qpulse quality management system software, Microsoft office and individual analyser systems.
31. To ensure departmental quality standards are maintained through adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP), reviewing SOPs, participation in internal audit, participation in quality control programmes and assessment of quality control data.
32. Undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Laboratory Manager.
33. To communicate effectively with colleagues in the Department of Microbiology, other disciplines of Pathology, and Medical staff within the hospital and General Practice.
Information Technology Role
34. Be conversant with aspects of the laboratory information system relating to report entry and authorisation to ensure correct reports are issued and any errors rectified.
Financial Management
35. All staff will support their managers to make efficient and effective use of resources. All staff are responsible for identifying any actual or potential deviation from budgets and are to work with the budget holder or manager to find effective ways of handling it.
36. All staff must ensure they use resources in a manner consistent with organisational objectives and policies, ensuring that resources are realistic, justified and of clear benefit to the organisation.
Other Responsibilities
37. Participate in continuing Professional Development, which is a requirement for maintaining HPC registration, and maintaining a record of evidence of professional development in a Personal Professional Portfolio.
38. If not already achieved, work towards completion of the IBMS specialist portfolio and attain band 6 level working.
39. The individual will be expected to provide advice, or demonstrate own activities of workplace routine to new or less experienced staff, including APs and MLAs.
40. Demonstrating specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post graduate academic, scientific and managerial development.
Patient Client Care
41. To treat all patients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity to provide a caring and confidential service.
Financial Responsibilities
42. All staff will support their managers to make efficient and effective use of resources. All staff are responsible for identifying any actual or potential deviation from budgets and are to work with the budget holder or manager to find effective ways of handling it.
43. All staff must ensure they use resources in a manner consistent with organisational objectives and policies, ensuring that resources are realistic, justified and of clear benefit to the organisation.
Budget Responsibilities
44. The Management of Financial Resources is relevant to all areas of work in the NHS as financial management takes place throughout the service. Financial Resources includes money and finance as well as the financial value of other resources such as people, equipment, material etc.
Responsibilities for People or Training
45. As part of the role the post holder may be required to provide training to new members of staff.
Other Factors
46. The post-holder will require the ability to think clearly under stress, prioritize effectively, and to work effectively with both clinical and non-clinical colleagues. There is also a requirement to deal effectively and politely with patients and/or their carers, demonstrating by personal example the Trusts STAR qualities, and dealing with complaints in a fair, timely and sympathetic way.
47. A proportion of the job requires VDU usage and competency with Microsoft Office applications including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel is essential.
48. In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the post-holder may be required to perform other duties assigned by the supervisor/manager from time to time.FlexibilityThis job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, in discussion with the post holder. This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role with initial and on-going discussions with the designated manager.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications, Training
Essential
- HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
- IBMS Specialist Portfolio Achieved
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Evidence of being able to balance work and education
- Ability/desire to work towards IBMS Specialist Portfolio
Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge/experience in Medical Microbiology gained from a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an NHS laboratory
- Supervisory experience
- Use of automated systems
- Experience of verifying new methods
Desirable
- Experience of staff training
- Experience in the use of molecular techniques
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
- Good keyboard skills
Desirable
- IT skills (MS Office)
- Presentation skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 04 November 2024
