Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Band 6 - Haematology & Transfusion

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description for more detail

JOB PURPOSE:

Processes specialist investigations in department.

Provides advice to clinicians as to appropriateness of tests and timescales.

Provides service e.g. training, problem solving for specialist requirement.

Work independently and lead on specialist area as directed by Senior Biomedical Scientists (band 7).

Acts as mentor for more junior scientific and support staff.

To work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.

Supervises and/or trains less experienced staff in own area of work.

The work of the service brings staff into frequent contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.

Maintain and promote professional image of the pathology department.

Where required, to lead and supervise a section of the laboratory.

NB: Post holder must not work outside their defined field of competence.

KEY TASKS:

Technical and scientific:

Resolution of complex equipment or process problems.

Perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations, including specialist investigations, within defined service area accurately and efficiently.

Participate in the day to day management of stock control and usage.

This may include maintaining Transfusion stock levels and records and monitor usage to ensure efficient use where appropriate.

Undertake quality control procedures and the processing of quality control material as per established protocols.

Be aware of current advances and appraise new techniques.

Validate test results, including specialist tests, and escalate where appropriate in line with established protocols.

Clean and maintain analysers, including specialist equipment, to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a hygienic and safe working environment.

Perform troubleshooting in line with established protocols and report any faults to a senior member of staff.

Participate in Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.

Communication:

Communicates with colleagues, clinicians about investigations required, explains complex information and results, provides instruction to groups of health service staff.

Influence clinicians regarding appropriate test usage and result interpretation.

Liaises with other departments, agencies, suppliers in relation to tests and services required.

Communicates with service users, including patients as appropriate.

Information Resources:

Records and interprets test results/ maintains integrity, accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by others.

Responsible for laboratory data and creation of specialist reports.

Be able to record and collate test results on the computer and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures.

To ensure patient confidentiality and conformance to the General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott Guidelines.

Be able to use the Laboratory Information Management System, email, internet and automated operating systems, and other software packages as required to create specialist reports.

Quality/Governance/Risk Management:

Follow policies and procedures ensuring that the quality management system of the Trust is complied with.

Propose and implement changes to policies and Standard Operating Procedures within own area.

Participate in audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements for own area.

When incidents occur, take immediate appropriate action and ensure incident forms and risk assessments are completed. Contribute to investigations and implement recommendations as directed.

Education, Training and Development:

Supervise and mentor staff as appropriate, including trainees, support workers, students, provides practical and theoretical training to groups.

Participates in appraisal process in line with current policies.

Responsible for personal education, training and competencies to ensure recorded continual professional development.

Maintain professional registration with Health and Care Professions Council.

Leadership and Line Management Responsibilities:

Plans and prioritises own workload and co-ordinates the work of junior staff.

Be involved in the induction of new staff.

Undertake appraisals in line with current policies.

To supervise and lead a section of the laboratory as required.

Addendum Transfusion:

Specific communication requirements when working in the Transfusion laboratory:

To maintain relationships with the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and users of the service.

To liaise with the Transfusion Nurse Practitioners.

To assist with quality issues within the blood transfusion laboratory to ensure compliance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 (and amendments) including:

Maintenance of the cold chain and temperature-controlled facilities.

Document review.

Validation of equipment and processes.

Ensure completion of own transfusion training and competency.

Ensure completion of own annual update in good manufacturing practice (GMP).

Participation in training of other staff.

Participation in local Trust and national audits in transfusion.

Reporting any transfusion incidents.

Other responsibilities:

The post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post. Additional responsibilities will be assigned to the post holder depending on the needs of the Board. These responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holders agreement. These responsibilities may be associated with specialised roles.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Integrity and personal credibility.
• Strives for excellence.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Flexible approach to working hours and respond to the needs of the service.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands.
• Puts the patient first in everything that is undertaken.
• Awareness of self and impact on others.

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent.
• Additional appropriate specialist qualification if required.
• Evidence of CPD.

Desirable

• Appropriate Post Registration IBMS Specialist Diploma or IBMS diploma in Biomedical Science

Experience

Essential

• Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of specialist biomedical procedures relevant to post.
• Substantial practical experience of working as a Biomedical Scientist in a UK pathology laboratory or similar.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems.
• Experience of Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of performing Risk Assessments.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of line managing staff.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Interpretation and analytical skills.
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently.
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service.
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
• High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques.

Desirable

• Demonstrable mentoring skills.

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 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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospitals Nhs Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP332QZ

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)