Job summary
Senior Biomedical Scientist
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 7 £43,742-£50,056 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Part-Time 36 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individual to take up the post of Senior Biomedical Scientist for our professional and friendly team.
The individual will be a key member of the Cellular Pathology management team assisting in the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology laboratory service, working closely with the Cellular Pathology Operational and Laboratory Managers and Consultant Histopathologists
Candidates must be HCPC registered and possess an MSc in an appropriate discipline. The successful candidate will be a professional with strong technical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively with staff at all levels. The suitable candidate will assist in directing a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care and resource management
Shortlisted applicants will be required to deliver a short, verbal presentation at interview. The title will be provided with the invite to interview.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager on 01908 995820
Interview dates: 8th & 9th October 2024
Main duties of the job
To lead on the delivery of a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
In conjunction with other Senior Biomedical Scientists, assist in the provision of the day-to-day operational management of the Cellular Pathology Laboratory ensuring staff, equipment and materials are managed to deliver a high-quality laboratory service.
Have detailed knowledge and experience of ISO 15189 standards and quality management systems.
To work with the laboratory management and technical team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards including those of ISO 15189, the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and screening programmes.
To lead on quality improvement and manage change.
Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental, trust and national KPI's.
To ensure that all staff work in accordance with trust health and safety policy, HR and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.
To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure appraisals and mandatory training are completed in accordance with trust guidelines.
Lead on training and education activity.
Support the provision of a 7/7 laboratory service.The post holder will deputise for the Chief BMS/Operational Manager as required.
Support the growth in maturity of the South 4 Pathology Partnership.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership/Management
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
Lead by example.
Clinical/Scientific/Technical
Maintain a high level of specialist Cellular Pathology knowledge. To include experience of trouble- shooting and microscopic interpretation skills.
To undertake analytical, technical, and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery.
Training & Education
Provide leadership for training and education activity within the laboratory.
Develop and maintain training programs for all laboratory staff.
Quality Management
Support the Laboratory Manager and Operational Manager to ensure maintenance of the Quality Management System.
Produce and maintain documentation to standards as required by accreditation/regulatory bodies under the authority of the Pathology Quality Manager (QM) and Operational Lead.
Professional
Be personally responsible for obtaining and maintaining HCPC state registration.
Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline.
Information Technology & Governance
Manage and maintain the integrity and accuracy of specialised databases in the laboratory computer system.
Support the implementation of the S4 joint LIMS system to include User Acceptance Testing and training of staff
Health & Safety
Adhere to service Health and Safety Code of Practice and organisation policy/procedure to ensure regulatory and statutory requirements are met.
Take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Please refer to Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership/Management
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
Lead by example.
Clinical/Scientific/Technical
Maintain a high level of specialist Cellular Pathology knowledge. To include experience of trouble- shooting and microscopic interpretation skills.
To undertake analytical, technical, and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery.
Training & Education
Provide leadership for training and education activity within the laboratory.
Develop and maintain training programs for all laboratory staff.
Quality Management
Support the Laboratory Manager and Operational Manager to ensure maintenance of the Quality Management System.
Produce and maintain documentation to standards as required by accreditation/regulatory bodies under the authority of the Pathology Quality Manager (QM) and Operational Lead.
Professional
Be personally responsible for obtaining and maintaining HCPC state registration.
Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline.
Information Technology & Governance
Manage and maintain the integrity and accuracy of specialised databases in the laboratory computer system.
Support the implementation of the S4 joint LIMS system to include User Acceptance Testing and training of staff
Health & Safety
Adhere to service Health and Safety Code of Practice and organisation policy/procedure to ensure regulatory and statutory requirements are met.
Take reasonable care to prevent injury to themselves or others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Please refer to Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
- MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant Biomedical Science field
- Comprehensive specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Knowledge of quality assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health and Safety legislation / requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
Desirable
- Membership of the IBMS
- Management qualification
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Experience
Essential
- Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Cellular Pathology
- External assessment by UKAS
- Experience as a trainer / mentor
- Experience in quality audits
- Incident investigation
Desirable
- Experience as a team leader at Band 7
- Histological dissection Categories A-D
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
- Be able to organise the workload of the laboratory
- Excellent practical and technical skills in Cellular Pathology laboratory techniques
- Ability to troubleshoot problems under pressure
- Ability to manage difficult situations and pressures
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Change control / management skills
- Ability to analyse complex laboratory results and provide appropriate advice to service users
Personal and people development
Essential
- Proven leadership / management skills
- Motivational skills
- Self-motivated and patient focused
- Ability to work under pressure
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
- Commitment to service development and quality improvement
Desirable
- Forward thinking
- Perform annual joint review
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English
- Good interpersonal skills
- Effective listening skills
- Effective trainer, modifying the approach as appropriate
- Able to present complex information to colleagues with differing knowledge and ability levels
Desirable
- Effective communication with auditors
- Customer care / service user skills
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
- MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant Biomedical Science field
- Comprehensive specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Knowledge of quality assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health and Safety legislation / requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
Desirable
- Membership of the IBMS
- Management qualification
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Experience
Essential
- Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Cellular Pathology
- External assessment by UKAS
- Experience as a trainer / mentor
- Experience in quality audits
- Incident investigation
Desirable
- Experience as a team leader at Band 7
- Histological dissection Categories A-D
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
- Be able to organise the workload of the laboratory
- Excellent practical and technical skills in Cellular Pathology laboratory techniques
- Ability to troubleshoot problems under pressure
- Ability to manage difficult situations and pressures
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
- Change control / management skills
- Ability to analyse complex laboratory results and provide appropriate advice to service users
Personal and people development
Essential
- Proven leadership / management skills
- Motivational skills
- Self-motivated and patient focused
- Ability to work under pressure
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
- Commitment to service development and quality improvement
Desirable
- Forward thinking
- Perform annual joint review
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English
- Good interpersonal skills
- Effective listening skills
- Effective trainer, modifying the approach as appropriate
- Able to present complex information to colleagues with differing knowledge and ability levels
Desirable
- Effective communication with auditors
- Customer care / service user 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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).