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.
Core duties and objectives
Clinical service
- To safely handle blood, urine, faeces, other body tissue, hazardous and or radioactive chemicals.
- To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
- To ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures.
- To perform complex manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.
- To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
- To undertake validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory quality procedures and protocols.
- To take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
- To take appropriate action when there is a situation which may or has caused a service delivery failure.
- To troubleshoot faults in complex laboratory instruments including dismantling and reassembly of fine parts where necessary.
- To perform highly complex specialist assays.
- To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Lead Scientist.
- Provision of clinical and scientific advice to clinicians on the appropriateness and choice of biochemical investigations and their interpretation.
- To be aware of current developments relevant to the section.
- To check and validate work produced by staff within the laboratory.
- To interpret laboratory results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory policies and procedures. E.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and clinically relevant comments, initiating action as appropriate or referring results for an expert opinion or clinical interpretation if necessary. Informing the requestor of clinically significant results.
- Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.
- To interpret the results of highly complex analytical procedures, advising on the clinical significance of these results, suggesting further investigations from a range of possibilities and initiating further action as appropriate.
- To meet regularly with other members of the team to discuss the investigation and follow up of complex clinical cases.
- The post holder may be required to participate in departmental clinical and analytical rotas, including out of hours cover and weekend rotas
Management and Administration
- To keep records up to date and to ensure that all records and documentation are maintained properly.
- To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
- To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
- To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
- To develop systems and processes for recording and storing laboratory information. Including the design, maintenance and adjustment, where necessary, of databases and spreadsheets.
- To ensure compliance with good work practices in accordance with the standards of UKAS (ISO 15189) and the UKNSPC National Newborn Screening Programme Standards
- To prepare and review laboratory policies and procedures following national and local quality system guidelines.
- To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, including communicating with colleagues and managers and adjusting staff deployment etc. within section in the event of assay failure.
- To supervise the work and monitor performance of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Trainee Clinical and Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Specialist Registrars in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
Teaching and Training
- To participate in teaching and training personnel from the department, hospital and to the wider community.
- To participate in providing scientific and clinical information for departmental, local and national meetings.
- To train and develop the competence of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Trainee Clinical and Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and Specialist Registrars in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
Research and Audit
- Under the guidance of other Clinical Scientists, to independently carry out research projects in line with the needs of the service.
- To participate in clinical audit.
- To assist other Clinical Scientists in preparing and monitoring management and operational performance data, for example turnaround times, workload and materials consumption, plan and take corrective action if required.
- To prepare statistical reports for use in section meetings, for internal and external education.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
- To comply with the policies and procedures of Synnovis.
- To observe and adhere to local and national risk management and health and safety policies.
- To ensure that the workplace and workbenches are kept clean and tidy.
- To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.
- To treat everyone associated with Guys & St Thomas Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis with dignity, courtesy and respect.
- To observe national and local guidance on patient and commercial confidentiality.
- Keep appropriate records of all communications.
- To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. UKAS (ISO 15189).
- To maintain and promote the professional image of Biochemical Sciences, Synnovis and Guys & St Thomas Hospital NHS Trust.
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!
