Head and Neck Biobank Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Technical Specialism

Have advanced technical expertise in tissue sample handling with a thorough understanding of the underlying technical and scientific theory, and proficient with the use of complex procedures requiring considerable skill.

Keep specialist knowledge and expertise current, through engagement with relevant professional activities and training opportunities

Lead innovation in the specialist field, wherever possible, adopting new approaches and adapting these to the local research needs.

Gain a good understanding of researcher requirements to refine the service to align with changing priorities and needs

Provide advice to researchers on the specialist area, identifying technical approaches that directly meet their needs.

Provide training on the technical area of specialism to staff and students as appropriate, ensuring the content is understandable to a non-expert audience.

2. Management & Organisational Skills

Be responsible for managing specialised Head and Neck biobanking facilities.

Line manages the Head and Neck biobank technicians; monitoring performance and compliance to regulations; advising and giving feedback to individuals; identifying training opportunities and development that will help colleagues expand their knowledge/ skills and keep up to date with new developments in the field

Manage facilities associated with the Head and Neck Biobank, cost recovery and operations, ensuring efficient use of resources and monitoring adherence quality and other performance standards

Monitor and maintain technical equipment, systems and software, with control over stocks/ stores equipment and supplies.

Develop ways of generating income streams and enhance the reputation of the Trust.

Lead and manage change, implementing best practice to ensure that change is adopted.

Manage workload, patterns of work and resources, prioritising and allocating these to achieve objectives within the Head and Neck Biobank.

Implement solutions with due regard to wider context and initiatives within and beyond the Trust.

Provide data requested by Trust and KCL teams for inclusion in appropriate submissions and annual reporting processes.

Attend committee, multi-disciplinary team meetings and networks as required, within and beyond the Trust, to ensure the Cancer Biobank is appropriately represented and reported, facilitating the exchange of information and best practice.

3. Problem solving

Use well-developed critical evaluation and problem-solving capabilities to review and select appropriate techniques, procedures and methods for the task.

Take timely and considered decisions within defined parameters and offer advice to colleagues to help them make decisions.

Use judgement to make decisions using knowledge, expertise and experience, where complete information is absent and be accountable for these decisions.

Lead in resolution of problems that are predictable but do not occur very frequently applying initiative and creativity to finding solutions to complex problems.

Occasionally apply expertise to resolve longer term, complex problems and to generate innovative ideas.

4. Teamwork and Communication

Mediates and develops positive working relationships with staff, students and key partners within and beyond the Trust and KCL (e.g. suppliers, colleagues in other HE institutions and NHS Trusts) in order to work collaboratively in a timely and effective manner

Regularly communicate highly complex, specialist concepts and information, both orally and in writing, in a clear fashion, where necessary to be understandable to a non-expert audience

Create an ethos of inclusion, collaboration and collegiality, establishing effective communications and relationships, and encouraging staff to work in partnership with colleagues across the Trust and KCL, to eliminate potential barriers and develop best practice.

Support the welfare of staff and students.

5. Health and Safety

Implement and monitor compliance with regulations, guidance and legislation governing area of work and responsibility.

Be responsible for implementing and monitoring safe working practices, managing the impact of the environment on the work or safety of users where normally the degree of risk or level of hazard is obvious, and where necessary, adapt the working environment, or the work as necessary.

Ensure the security of buildings/ plant/ machinery in own area.

6. Education & Professional Development

Take responsibility for identifying personal training and educational needs within the context of the service and those identified during the appraisal process.

Contribute to updating, developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Undertake an Individual Performance Review annually with your line manager.

Maintain a record to reflect any training carried out pertaining to the post and ensure direct reports maintain training files.

7. Other duties

Implement and monitor compliance with regulations governing the handling of human samples and data, including Human Tissue Act 2004 and Data Protection Act 2018.

Contribute to Trust and KCL cancer-related initiatives.

The post holder is required to follow Trust and where appropriate KCL policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in histology and sample handling
• Experience in managing complex projects

Desirable

• Line management experience

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Able to understand research protocols, assess sample requirements and establish timetable for completion
• Ability to interpret patient records and extract data accurately

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of head and neck disease clinical presentation, diagnosis and management in order to dissect samples for bio banking
• Awareness of clinical governance and risk management relevant to the role

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.

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

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's Hospital

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)