Biomedical Scientist (Point of Care Testing)-Rapid Testing

Job overview

Job Title: Biomedical Scientist (Point of Care Testing)-Rapid Testing

Division: Cancer and Core Clinical Services

Band: 6

Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum/pro rata

We are recruiting for a Biomedical Scientist (Point of Care Testing)-Rapid Testing who shares our ambition and vision to deliver the Best of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.

Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) is analytical testing that is performed near or at the site of a patient. It is a laboratory-medicine discipline that is evolving rapidly, expanding in both the repertoire of tests offered and their clinical applications. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the development of  this service for patients at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and to join our Diagnostics and Therapies Care Group which is responsible for this service.

As a Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist the post holder will lead a small team of Associate Health Care Scientists in delivering  24/7 Rapid Testing in acute care pathways. They will take a lead in developing the Rapid Testing service test repertoire to meet the needs of users. The team  are based in the Rapid Testing Facility which is located within the Emergency Department.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will take a supervisory  role to a team of Associate Health Care Scientists (AHCS) providing a 24/7 Rapid Testing service. They will be responsible for the testing, validation and reporting of laboratory results. They will be committed to working towards ISO 15189 accreditation for Medical Laboratories.

The post holder will be responsible for training the AHCS so we are looking for someone with experience of training others in laboratory procedures.

The role will involve the testing of new PoCT devices/tests and so experience of verification processes is desirable.

Our values are Bold, Every Person Counts, Sharing and Open and Together. It is important that you understand and to refer to our values when completing your application and always reflect our values throughout your employment with the Trust.

We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion; our policies / procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

To contribute to our exciting future and become part of our team, apply today.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working with PoCT Manager to obtain ISO 15189 (2022) accreditation for the Rapid Testing Laboratory.

To lead in test repertoire development and participate in evaluation implementation and delivery of new equipment and techniques.

To ensure that staff under their supervision adhere to the appropriate health and safety and infection control practices including working with biohazards and noxious chemicals.

Perform rapid molecular based tests and other analytical tests unsupervised whilst organising own work tasks.

Report results requiring subjective judgement and analytical expertise in a timely fashion so that they may be acted on as necessary by clinicians. Use of EPR and LIMS systems for reporting.

Responsibility for local Quality Management Systems (QMS) Assist in the development of standard operating procedures, polices, risk and COSHH assessments.

To maintain accurate and detailed records of patients’ results, internal quality control (IQC) data and external quality assurance (EQA) data.

To take responsibility for IQC and EQA for the Rapid Testing service, including receipt, handling, return of results and interpretation.

Responsibility for departmental audits and adherence to KPIs. To prepare and present reports to the PoCT committee

Responsibility for managing stock control, including ordering, rotation and acceptance testing.

Responsibility for maintaining specialised PoCT equipment including trouble shooting and liaising with external suppliers' technical teams.

To organise and deliver departmental training ensuring competency assessment records are maintained and are up to date.

Responsibility for organizing and maintaining a 24/7 shift pattern and managing annual leave.

Responsible for departmental staff recruitment including shortlisting and interviewing candidates.

Supervision of Band 4 Associate HealthCare Scientists including appraisal, sickness and performance management.

Arrange departmental meetings and provide reports for governance meetings.

Communicating any issues affecting the department to the PoCT Manager.

Fulfil all relevant mandatory and statutory requirements.

To cover Associate Healthcare Scientist shifts as required.

Participate in personal training offered, including maintaining mandatory CPD requirements for HCPC registration, and keep up to date with current practice.

Communicating in person and by telephone with all stakeholders’ enquiries.