Job summary
Senior Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology Training Lead:
- Are you an experience BMS with an interest in training and developing others?
- Do you want to gain invaluable experience working in a busy hospital laboratory working on both diagnostic provision and service development, with an emphasis on continued quality improvement?
- Do you want to gain invaluable staff management experience?
- Do you want to be recognised and valued for the work that you do?
We are seeking a proactive and motivated Senior Biomedical Scientist (BMS) to work in the Microbiology section of Infection Sciences at St Thomas's Hospital on a 12 month fixed term contract. The successful candidate would be expected to hold HCPC State Registration as a BMS, and an MSc in Microbiology or equivalent. The job is mainly laboratory based and you will be expected to give day to day supervision of a section within microbiology as well providing first-line management to staff. In addition, we are looking for someone with training experience who will support the Infection Sciences Training manager to develop our current staff workforce and support those staff undertaking HCPC registration and specialist portfolios
Main duties of the job
The ISO15189 accredited Microbiology Department receives approximately 320,000 bacteriological specimens per year. The department currently uses the Epic Beaker LIMS system and Q-Pulse. The Department also has a range of automation including the Bruker MALDI-TOF, Biomerieux Vitek, Becton Dickinson FX, Becton Dickinson MGiT and BDMAX, Sedimax Urine analyser, DS2 and Cepheid GeneXpert system.
We test a wide range of microbiology tests ranging from routine to specialist services including breast milk screening and oral microbiology.
You will be joining a team of 5 Senior BMS and 28 BMS, 3 Associate Practitioners and 14 MLAs working over an 8am-8pm shift pattern. The post holder would be expected to join a team that works an average 37.5 hours/week and be prepared to work as part of an extended working day (EWD) rota that includes week day (09:00am to 17:30pm), Early (08:00am to 16:30pm), and Late (11:30am to 20:00pm) shifts and Weekend/Bank Holiday (09:00am to 17:30pm, lates or earlies as per rota with rest days in the week).
As the training lead for Microbiology you will provide leadership for staff with training and competency activities, attend training meetings ,provide close guidance and mentorship to trainees and new starters ,monitor mandatory training levels and action where necessary and deputise for the H&S and Training Manager in their absence, where necessary.
About us
We can offer training and development through the organisation's Scientific Learning and Development fund and CPD activities. This includes opportunities to apply for funding towards a variety of qualifications.
Locally we have opportunities for you to develop your knowledge in laboratory quality, health and safety and training. We have an active Education forum for internal and external speakers and weekly clinical case studies. Socially, we organise various activities in the evenings and during lunchtimes such as our International food days.
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London.
For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Technical
- To plan and organise their work and the work of others within the demands of the team.
- To undertake technical validation of highly complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols
- To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
- To ensure that preventative maintenance schedules have been carried out on laboratory instruments prior to them being used for patient investigations
- To assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery failure.
- To review, assess and initiate corrective action when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance with the laboratory instruments or methods and monitor results.
- To communicate patient results by telephone.
- To report any instance or event that may cause a service delivery failure to the laboratory management team.
Scientific/Diagnostic
- To lead and undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation in collaboration with laboratory management.
- To initiate and participate in research and development in collaboration with laboratory management
- To use interpretive skills to determine the pathogenic and clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, concentration and attention to detail are essential to these processes and form the greater part of the working day.
- To interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions.
Line Management
- To undertake staff performance appraisals and regular reviews.
- To formulate and manage staff daily section rotas
- To agree leave applications in compliance within leave guidelines and enter leave onto the computer database.
- To act as the first point of contact for staff disciplinary and performance and competency issues
- To participate in recruitment, selection and induction of staff
- To act as a mentor for Biomedical Scientists and MLAs.
- Responsible to perform and organise competency assessments of team members
- To deputise in their absence, for the Operations Manager, Quality Manager or H&S and Training Manager, where necessary
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
GSTT
Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London.
For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Technical
- To plan and organise their work and the work of others within the demands of the team.
- To undertake technical validation of highly complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols
- To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
- To ensure that preventative maintenance schedules have been carried out on laboratory instruments prior to them being used for patient investigations
- To assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery failure.
- To review, assess and initiate corrective action when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance with the laboratory instruments or methods and monitor results.
- To communicate patient results by telephone.
- To report any instance or event that may cause a service delivery failure to the laboratory management team.
Scientific/Diagnostic
- To lead and undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation in collaboration with laboratory management.
- To initiate and participate in research and development in collaboration with laboratory management
- To use interpretive skills to determine the pathogenic and clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, concentration and attention to detail are essential to these processes and form the greater part of the working day.
- To interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions.
Line Management
- To undertake staff performance appraisals and regular reviews.
- To formulate and manage staff daily section rotas
- To agree leave applications in compliance within leave guidelines and enter leave onto the computer database.
- To act as the first point of contact for staff disciplinary and performance and competency issues
- To participate in recruitment, selection and induction of staff
- To act as a mentor for Biomedical Scientists and MLAs.
- Responsible to perform and organise competency assessments of team members
- To deputise in their absence, for the Operations Manager, Quality Manager or H&S and Training Manager, where necessary
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
GSTT
Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or equivalent
- MSc Biomedical Science (or related subject) or equivalent (FIBMS)
- HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) if completed via portfolio registration (must have specialist portfolio)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Evidence of managerial training/advanced technical expertise
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Experience
Essential
- Working as a member of a team
- Significant post HCPC Registration experience in a clinical diagnostic laboratory in relevant discipline
Desirable
- Training and supervising a team
- Working alone during an out-of-hours service Audit
- Validation and verification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microbiology techniques- routine and specialist
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Basic Molecular Diagnostic techniques
- Ability to authorise results for clinical use
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results
- Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Health & Safety legislation and procedures
- Quality Control and Assurance
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or equivalent
- MSc Biomedical Science (or related subject) or equivalent (FIBMS)
- HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) if completed via portfolio registration (must have specialist portfolio)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Evidence of managerial training/advanced technical expertise
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Experience
Essential
- Working as a member of a team
- Significant post HCPC Registration experience in a clinical diagnostic laboratory in relevant discipline
Desirable
- Training and supervising a team
- Working alone during an out-of-hours service Audit
- Validation and verification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Comprehensive knowledge of Microbiology techniques- routine and specialist
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Basic Molecular Diagnostic techniques
- Ability to authorise results for clinical use
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results
- Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Health & Safety legislation and procedures
- Quality Control and Assurance
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).
