Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

The closing date is 15 April 2025

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our busy, friendly team to work in our Microbiology laboratory. Applications are invited from HCPC registered biomedical scientists.

The laboratory is based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and is ISO 15189 and IBMS training status accredited.

The vacancy is for a Band 5 Biomedical scientist (Part time 18.75 hours) including Weekend and Bank Holiday shifts.

The successful applicant will be applying for the position of a band 5 biomedical scientist working in the Serology and Molecular sections of the department and will be required to complete a specialist portfolio in Virology. Support will be given for this.

Main duties of the job

To practice as a Health Professions Council (HCPC) Registered BMS in accordance with Statutory Regulations, Professional Standards, WAH NHS Trust and local Policies & Standard Operating Procedures including Health & Safety.

The post holder will be expected to work towards an IBMS Specialist Portfolio, developing a high level of Microbiology knowledge, skills and demonstrated competence to provide a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services throughout all sections of the Department, as an aid/basis for diagnosis.

Services are provided to hospital clinicians and general practitioners and the post holder is required to liaise with these, other healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives.

The post holder will be required to perform automated and manual laboratory procedures of varying complexity under supervision and once competency assessed be competent to undertake these investigations.

To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development and be competent in the performance of tests and investigations undertaken.

The role includes some weekend, bank holiday and evening duties on a rotational basis. The post holder is required to have a flexible approach to ensure the service is maintained safely.

About us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our objectives are simple:

Best services for local people
Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
Best use of resources
Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Date posted

01 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year 2 years at lower band then moving up after 2 years experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

C9365-25-0301

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for the work carried out in the designated section, supervising associate practitioners and MLA staff, ensuring work is completed in line with service requirements

To perform pre-analytical preparation of specimens including matching of specimens and data entry of patient and specimen information into the Laboratory IT system with accuracy.

Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department under supervision of Senior BMS until deemed competent

Carries out troubleshooting and maintenance on automated systems, only when trained and competency assessed, and understands when to escalate to a senior member of staff. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.

To handle potentially highly infectious material and known highly infectious material, containing Hazard Group 2 & 3 pathogens, in order to perform subjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations.

Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents used. Communicating any ordering requirements to associate practitioner team and reagent issues to Senior BMS and Quality Manager.

Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes along with internal requirements for audits and competence assessment to national standards.

Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189-2012 and other professional standards.

Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Care Professions Council and the Trusts protocols and guidelines.

To be able to prioritise own workload and work in conjunction with the team to ensure investigations , analyses are processed and completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation under direction and supervision of Senior BMS. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires theoretical knowledge once trained and approved as competent to do so.

Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.

As a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, participate in the Microbiology on call rota, processing samples according to the SOP.

Through competency assessment demonstrate ability to be able to work alone and unsupervised to a level required as part of the on call rota, with off site clinical advice and technical support available when required. To be aware of escalation procedures and processes to follow when required.

Participates in the supervision, induction and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required.

Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.

Participates Departmental Competency Assessment schemes in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Senior BMS / Training Officer.

Proactive in creating a training ethos for all staff.

Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.

Works to, and ensures that performance targets and sample turnaround times are met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.

To participate in Mandatory Training and Personal Development System as required, and maintain continued professional development.

Demonstrates continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of an out of hours service for lone working on shift or on call.

To be able to work alone as part of the on call rota, with 24/7 off site clinical and technical support when required. To be aware of escalation procedures and processes to follow when required

Work towards the acquisition of specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post Registration, by completing the Specialist Portfolio (or equivalent) and academic and scientific development.

To participate in the Quality Management System in accordance with accreditation bodies. This includes:

Being able to conduct vertical, horizontal and examination audits in accordance with the Department Audit Programme.

Awareness and completion of non-conformance record forms when required, and submits to the Senior BMS and / or Quality Manager.

Contribute to the revision and development of Standard Operating Procedures

Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms. (Ipassport, Datix,RIDDOR)

Attends departmental and directorate staff meetings as appropriate.

To participate in induction, training and supervision of AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMSs and other staff and visitors in all relevant aspects of laboratory work including Health & Safety as directed by the Laboratory Manager

To participate in the Departmental Competency Assessment schemes for Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, AP and MLA staff in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Senior BMS / Training Officer.

To maintain good working relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.

To participate in Mandatory Training and Personal Development System as required, and maintain continued professional development.

To participate in Clinical Trials / Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.

To be able to present scientific, technical data and audit data at staff meetings using appropriate communication tools.

To participate in Clinical Trials / Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.

To carry out any other duties deemed necessary to maintain a Microbiology Service.