Principal Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Deputy Lead Scientist

As deputy Lead Scientist in Special Haematology at Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, the post holder when required will deputise for the Lead Scientist / Operations Manager.

This will include: Operational Management of the laboratory, ensuring training, quality, staffing and service issues are dealt with.

This includes routine day-to-day service as well as the out-of-hours service training (if applicable).

Assess the clinical relevance and importance of diagnostic test requests, work in progress and test results.

To report highly complex and specialised Immunophenotyping and diagnosis of haematological malignancies results based tests in accordance with the SOP.

Ability to independently report Immunophenotyping results for presentation at MDT, interpret significant findings and consider up to date published scientific data in a rapidly evolving field.

To communicate with the Service Delivery Manger to report any issues and to disseminate any information required to the rest of the team.

1. Technical

Provide a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the performance of haemoglobinopathy and white cell malignancy laboratory investigations in accordance with SOPs.

Ensure the day-to-day operation of special haematology sections is delivered in a safe and efficient way, based on the assessment of the laboratory status and requirements conducted on a daily basis.

To be able to perform all technical procedures pertaining to Special Haematology in a safe and competent way in accordance with SOPs. Undertake technical validation of highly complex results from laboratory investigations where necessary using judgemental expertise and ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and quality procedures.

Ensure outstanding work lists and turnaround times of laboratory investigations are monitored and act on information to maintain and/or improve the service provided.

To ensure that quality control, quality assurance and calibration procedures are undertaken and appropriately recorded.

This includes undertaking preliminary fault finding and corrective action when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.

Responsible for troubleshooting of analytical instruments, automated analysers and procedural failures; may be required to install replacement parts and/or upgrade software.

To ensure that preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment has been completed to agreed standard and timescales.

Process, interpret and submit external quality assessment schemes.

Be able to delegate responsibility for these results, including interpretation, troubleshooting and dissemination. Undertake validation and verification testing of new equipment or examinations as and when required.

To report to the Lead Scientist/Operations manager any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.

1. Scientific

To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments, including through participation in scientific meetings when appropriate.

Take part in the research, development and evaluation of new techniques presenting information in a clearly documented form for discussion with senior staff.

Liaise with the co-ordinators of clinical trials and research and development projects to discuss their requirements for sample processing and disseminate to all staff within relevant section of the laboratory.

Present laboratory findings at departmental and multi-disciplinary meetings if required. Undertake audits and participate in surveys as and when required.

Maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and declare any change that may adversely affect their state registration to the HCPC and their Line manager

Develop and improve scientific knowledge and awareness of developments in the appropriate field of expertise via continuing professional development (CPD) ensuring this knowledge through training is passed on to staff where appropriate.

1. Clinical

Use interpretive skills to determine clinical significance of first line and confirmatory laboratory results and take appropriate action including:

• Authorisation of laboratory investigations
• Interpretation and reporting of Immunophenotyping results
• Ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures
• Adding relevant technical and clinically relevant comments
• Referring results for second opinion to Clinical Leads and / or outside reference laboratory
• Informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant results
• Requesting further samples when required for further investigations

Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals and/or clinical team and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information. Discuss with service users complex scientific, medical and sensitive information relating to patient care in accordance with departmental protocols.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MSc or equivalent in relevant biomedical sciences discipline
• State Registration (Health and Care Professions Council)
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Membership of an international Flow cytometry professional body

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post HCPC registration experience in specific field (flow cytometry and molecular techniques)
• Experinece in quality management systems
• Evidence of experience in team management including operational responsibility, recruitment, staff management and performance procedures

Desirable

• Troubleshooting specialised laboratory equipment and procedures

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to undertake technical validation, interpretation and clinical authorisation of results
• Comprehensive knowledge of and flow cytometry laboratory techniques
• Good theoretical knowledge of flow cytometry and immunophenotyping techniques
• Good communication - verbal and written - and interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Expert blood film morphology

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

Synnovis Analytics

Address

Guy's Hospital

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)