Job summary
Band 5 £25,655 to £31,534 per annum
Band 6 £32,306 to £39,027 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist/Specialist Biomedical Scientist to work within of the specialist sections of our Blood Sciences Department.
If appointed as Band 5 you would be expected to complete a portfolio within 2 years to progress to Band 6
The Metabolic and Newborn Screening section is dedicated to the provision of high quality specialist testing for a wide range of inherited and acquired metabolic disorders. The service works in close collaboration with genetic, endocrine, mitochondrial disorders and clinical colleagues within the Trust to provide an integrated approach to a complex group of diseases. The laboratory is part of a network of nationally recognised specialist diagnostic laboratories which allows the investigation, diagnosis and ongoing management of patients with very rare disorders.
- Interview Date: 9 August 2022
- Put in the hours of the post
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
Main duties of the job
The laboratory is commissioned by NHS England to provide the Newborn Blood Spot Screening service for the North East of England and the Northern part of Cumbria. This provides screening of approximately 40,000 babies per year for 9 conditions, including inherited metabolic disorders, congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. The laboratory has recently been selected as a pilot centre for screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) in newborn babies. Many of the disorders investigated by the Metabolic and Newborn Screening section can cause serious disability and so their timely diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.
Applicants should be highly motivated, have an accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences and have completed the IBMS Specialist Diploma (or equivalent qualifications) to be considered for the Band 6 positions. Experience of working in a specialist section with manual based assays would be an advantage.
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with over 18,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
Rated 'Outstanding' by theCQC for the second consecutive time in 2019, we have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Band 5
- The Department of Blood Sciences is made up of several sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Blood Sciences laboratory support to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
- The post holder will act as a registered Biomedical Scientist without direct supervision under the guidance of a Biomedical Scientist Section Leader. At other times the post holder will perform tasks without supervision and will evaluate situations and seek advice from senior members of staff if deemed appropriate. Responsibilities
- To assist in the preparation of specimens for analysis, including the separation of blood, serum and plasma, and the cataloguing and storage of specimens.
- To perform blood transfusion compatibility testing and issue a range of blood products to service users.
- To carry out laboratory diagnostic tests, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further tests that may be required.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of automated laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes, correct any minor non-compliances and to report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
- More experienced staff will be required to supervise the work of more junior staff and assist with their training
Band 6
- The department of Blood Sciences plays a pivotal role in provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
- The post holder may rotate through different sections of Blood Sciences as required.
- Perform analytical and other laboratory work as directed by senior staff within Blood Sciences.
- Ensure satisfactory completion and validation of routine and specialist analyses.
- Ensure data integrity when entering demo graphics and results into the laboratory information system.
- Operate subject to manufacturer's constraints and laboratory policy, instruments and analysers in, or associated with, the laboratory.
- To troubleshoot, repair and maintain instruments and analysers in, or associated with, the laboratory for correct operation, keeping equipment in optimal condition for use, making adjustments as necessary.
- Check the validity and reliability of analytical processes, maintaining and monitoring satisfactory performance by use of internal quality control.
- Ensure prompt referral of results that exceed action limits in accordance with departmental policy.
- Adhere to laboratory quality control and Health & Safety policies, ensuring documentation of maintenance procedures, lot numbers and control material.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- To continually improve service provision by, when necessary, contributing to the development of SOPs or undertaking development work.
- In the absence of the Section Leaders supervise the work of a section.
- Assist Section Leaders in the organisation of work within a subsection of Blood Sciences.
- In the absence of the Section Leader ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are available for the efficient running of the section.
- Undertake, when required, training of rotational Section Leaders staff within a section of Blood Sciences.
- Undertake training of Registered Biomedical Scientists and Trainee BMS staff within a section of Blood Sciences.
- Participate, under the supervision of the Section Leader, in any audit connected with a section of Blood Sciences
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Newcastle Hospitals encourages all staff and volunteers who are appointed to join the Trust to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Band 5
- The Department of Blood Sciences is made up of several sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Blood Sciences laboratory support to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
- The post holder will act as a registered Biomedical Scientist without direct supervision under the guidance of a Biomedical Scientist Section Leader. At other times the post holder will perform tasks without supervision and will evaluate situations and seek advice from senior members of staff if deemed appropriate. Responsibilities
- To assist in the preparation of specimens for analysis, including the separation of blood, serum and plasma, and the cataloguing and storage of specimens.
- To perform blood transfusion compatibility testing and issue a range of blood products to service users.
- To carry out laboratory diagnostic tests, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further tests that may be required.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of automated laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes, correct any minor non-compliances and to report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
- More experienced staff will be required to supervise the work of more junior staff and assist with their training
Band 6
- The department of Blood Sciences plays a pivotal role in provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
- The post holder may rotate through different sections of Blood Sciences as required.
- Perform analytical and other laboratory work as directed by senior staff within Blood Sciences.
- Ensure satisfactory completion and validation of routine and specialist analyses.
- Ensure data integrity when entering demo graphics and results into the laboratory information system.
- Operate subject to manufacturer's constraints and laboratory policy, instruments and analysers in, or associated with, the laboratory.
- To troubleshoot, repair and maintain instruments and analysers in, or associated with, the laboratory for correct operation, keeping equipment in optimal condition for use, making adjustments as necessary.
- Check the validity and reliability of analytical processes, maintaining and monitoring satisfactory performance by use of internal quality control.
- Ensure prompt referral of results that exceed action limits in accordance with departmental policy.
- Adhere to laboratory quality control and Health & Safety policies, ensuring documentation of maintenance procedures, lot numbers and control material.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- To continually improve service provision by, when necessary, contributing to the development of SOPs or undertaking development work.
- In the absence of the Section Leaders supervise the work of a section.
- Assist Section Leaders in the organisation of work within a subsection of Blood Sciences.
- In the absence of the Section Leader ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are available for the efficient running of the section.
- Undertake, when required, training of rotational Section Leaders staff within a section of Blood Sciences.
- Undertake training of Registered Biomedical Scientists and Trainee BMS staff within a section of Blood Sciences.
- Participate, under the supervision of the Section Leader, in any audit connected with a section of Blood Sciences
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Newcastle Hospitals encourages all staff and volunteers who are appointed to join the Trust to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Person Specification
Band 5 essential/desirable
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification
- Health Professions Council registration as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable
- Undertaking postgraduate qualification
- Knowledge of basic IT
- Keyboard skills
- Experience working in a Blood Sciences discipline(s)
Band 6 essential/desirable
Essential
- Experience working in a Blood Sciences discipline
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
- Health and Care Professions Council registration
- Demonstrable specialist competence in a Blood Sciences discipline through Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent level of knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of basic IT
- Keyboard skills
- Undertaking post grad qualifications
Person Specification
Band 5 essential/desirable
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification
- Health Professions Council registration as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable
- Undertaking postgraduate qualification
- Knowledge of basic IT
- Keyboard skills
- Experience working in a Blood Sciences discipline(s)
Band 6 essential/desirable
Essential
- Experience working in a Blood Sciences discipline
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
- Health and Care Professions Council registration
- Demonstrable specialist competence in a Blood Sciences discipline through Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent level of knowledge
Desirable
- Knowledge of basic IT
- Keyboard skills
- Undertaking post grad qualifications
Additional information
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).
