Biomedical Scientist

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.

The post holder will be expected to work autonomously or as part of a team on a rotational basis in the diagnostic area of virology, taking responsibility to perform the work to the required standards, trouble shoot, train and supervise other BMS and MLA staff as required.

The diagnostic areas in each section are organised and managed by a Senior BMS. Staff rotate through the various sections of the discipline they are employed in at regular intervals with rotation through the main sections at more extended intervals in order to maintain up to date knowledge of current working practices within the diagnostic laboratory.

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 weekday shifts (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 17:00pm).

Full training and support will be provided to assist you achieve your goal.

The laboratory team also enjoys regular interaction with our Clinicians, Clinical Scientists and Infection Control teams and to further enhance your development, we encourage you to take part in Quality, Training and Health and Safety roles.

Key Relationships

As a member of Infection Sciences, Biomedical Scientists work as a team in Microbiology and Virology, the post holder will support the Senior Biomedical Scientists and Microbiology and Virology Operations Manager in providing comprehensive, high quality and responsive laboratory services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical

1. To undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations.
2. To follow the standard operating procedures and to participate in their regular review and update.
3. To undertake routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments.
4. To plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.
5. To undertake technical validation of the complex results from laboratory investigations ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
6. To communicate patient results by telephone.
7. To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
8. To carry out corrective action when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
9. To prepare reagents required for laboratory investigations
10. To report any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.

Scientific

1. To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as required
2. To participate in research and development as required.

Diagnostic

1. 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.
2. To interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions. i.e.

• authorisation of results
• ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures
• adding technical and clinical relevant comments
• referring results for a second opinion
• informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant results
• operation of automated equipment
• To communicate patient results by telephone.

This is complex, sensitive information that must be accurate and may have medico legal implications.

1. To participate in day to day supervision and training of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Medical staff, locum staff and Trainee Biomedical Scientists preparing for HCPC Registration and other biomedical scientists working towards their IBMS specialist portfolio.
2. To participate in clinical audits, trials and research projects as required and ensure any audit non-conformances are resolved in a timely manner.

Laboratory Informatics

1. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
2. To use the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) according to the authorised protocols.
3. To enter their own results and those obtained by others into the LIMS.
4. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases

Administrative

1. 1. To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with the standards of ISO15189.
2. To comply with good work practices required for the standards of ISO15189.
3. To undertake work file management to ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time.
4. To deputise for a Senior Biomedical Scientist in their absence
5. To assist the Senior Biomedical Scientists with training, development and competence assessment of BMS and MLA staff.
6. To assist the Senior Biomedical Scientists with the supervision of Medical Laboratory Assistants and Trainee Biomedical Scientists.
7. To advise the Senior Biomedical Scientist when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
8. To act as mentors for trainee Biomedical Scientists.
9. To write, prepare, review and comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

General

1. To participate in Continual Professional Development meeting professional requirements.
2. To maintain HCPC Registration
3. To demonstrate competency in order to meet the necessary criteria for performing appropriate tasks.
4. To maintain an awareness of developments in microbiology/virology and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.
5. To observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies.
6. To keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.
7. To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.
8. To treat everyone associated with Synnovis and Guys & St Thomas Hospital NHS Trust with courtesy and respect.
9. To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g.
10. To maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis Infection Sciences and Guys & St Thomas Hospital NHS Trust.
11. This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation and/or developmental needs of the post holder. The post holder is required to participate in an annual joint review/appraisal where this job description will be reviewed.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

1. To be aware of and understand the application of relevant health & safety regulations and guidelines.
2. To take appropriate action if there is a spillage of body fluids or hazardous chemicals in order to minimise the risk to staff and the public.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Honours science degree recognised for IBMS for HCPC registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Membership of professional body

Desirable

• IBMS state registration
• Evidence of progress toward the IBMS

Experience

Essential

• Working as a member of a team
• Experience of working in a laboratory or Healthcare environment
• Ability to authorise results for clinical use under supervision
• Interpretation of diagnostic laboratory results
• Good time keeping

Desirable

• Problem solving, good judgement and analytic skills
• Experience of working in a Medical Virology laboratory

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to communicate technical information and results with other health professionals
• A good understanding of the health and social care environment and roles and responsibilities within it including quality, health & Safety and governance
• Ability to communicate within the team to deliver effective service
• Prepared to work across all shifts
• Command of spoken & written English
• Numerate and able to undertake scientific calculations
• Basic Medical or Virology theory
• Basic Molecular Diagnostic Theory
• Basic Quality Control and Assurance
• Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation and procedures.

Desirable

• Flexible approach to work and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands in a calm and professional manner
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines

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.

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

St Thomas' Hospital

Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

Employer's website

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