Specialist Biomedical Scientist (XR06)

Job overview

Expected Shortlisting Date

24/09/2024

Planned Interview Date

03/10/2024

Do you have the skills, drive and ambition to develop as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist within Microbiology at Leeds?

As we embark on an exciting journey to move to the Centre For Laboratory Medicine, a brand new, £30m, purpose built laboratory facility, this role offers a multitude of opportunities to work within a forward thinking, innovative department.

The post is currently based at Leeds General Infirmary, relocating to St James University Hospital when microbiology services transfer in 2024/25.

You will be fundamental in helping to develop a collaborative microbiology service working alongside other trusts in West Yorkshire to help deliver the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYATT) partnership. The pathology Managed Service Contract (MSC) is currently being renewed, bringing the latest in technology to help deliver a quality and efficient service.

This post is advertised as a full time position working within Bacteriology, with rotation within Mycology and Environmental and Waters Laboratories. Extensive specialist knowledge is essential.

Applicants will be HCPC registered with a Biomedical Science degree or equivalent and hold an IBMS specialist portfolio in microbiology if registration was obtained after 2006.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a member of the departmental team carrying out examination of samples for diagnosis of bacterial and mycological causes of infection.

On a daily basis you will be allocated to a laboratory section where you will work with other scientists and support staff to process samples and report results. Staff rotate within the department. Additionally, as a band 6, you are expected to supervise within sections and will be trained to be responsible for technical authorisation of results. As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist you will also be encouraged to develop further skills in service development, training and quality management.

We provide a full 24/7 laboratory service supported by a shift system covering weekends, extended days and nights. (agenda for change T&Cs). As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist you will participate in providing cover for the service after suitable training.

You will be pro-active in your own development and that of the service. Our charity partner organisation Leeds Cares provides funding for staff and contributes to training and development including further IBMS & professional qualifications.

Job responsibilities

For full job description please see attachment.

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

As a specialist biomedical scientist you will be a fully competent member of the department. Normally working as part of a team, you will be expected to perform a wide range of specialist clinical technical investigations. At other times you may be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call. Working in different sections of the department you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations. Within the team you may be required to organize the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate highly complex information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.

You will be required to attend MDT and other user meetings where appropriate. Post holders will be involved in R&D and may lead projects, under supervision, where appropriate.

The post holder will assist in the day to day running of the laboratory or a particular section of the laboratory, under supervision/delegation of the advanced biomedical scientist. This will involve QC and EQA authorisation, training, risk and incident assessment and investigation and HR procedures. The post holder will be expected to have an awareness of budgets and resource responsibility.

In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge in all aspects of the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study through the IBMS specialist portfolio programme and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills and use of various laboratory and Trust based databases are essential to carry out your work.

The post holder will have undertaken all mandatory training required for their role and be willing to attend training to facilitate learning in areas such as basic HR functions, appraisal, incident investigation etc.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical/ Scientific /Technical

Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures using appropriate laboratory and Trust policies.

Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service or providing urgent results. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

Under direction of the team lead co-ordinates effective workflow management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area

Development and validation of in house quality control material and reagents in conjunction with section leadership.

To participate in equipment testing, validation and adaptation as a function of service development

To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy

Leadership and Management

To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme.

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers

To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate and complete relevant training and competency paperwork

To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

Actively supports and encourages individual and team development

To deputise for more senior staff where appropriate

Leads waste reduction incentives for designated area

Contributes to management reports

Supports collaborative team working across all sections.

Quality / Training

To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records

Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes supporting section lead in the monitoring and performance of IQC and EQA.

Support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

Contributes to audit completion in specialist area

Contributes to H&S compliance and audits in specialist area

Contributes to QMS compliance/alignment in specialist area

Conducts incident investigations and risk management including Datix

Monitoring of results to identify any unexpected trends in assay performance

Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area

Leads continuous service improvement in specialist area

Leads service continuity plans for specialist area

Leads implementation of corrective actions from audits

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Other

To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes including CPD.

The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service. This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.

The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.

Any other duties commensurate with grade following discussion with line manager

For full job description please see attachment.

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

As a specialist biomedical scientist you will be a fully competent member of the department. Normally working as part of a team, you will be expected to perform a wide range of specialist clinical technical investigations. At other times you may be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call. Working in different sections of the department you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations. Within the team you may be required to organize the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate highly complex information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.

You will be required to attend MDT and other user meetings where appropriate. Post holders will be involved in R&D and may lead projects, under supervision, where appropriate.

The post holder will assist in the day to day running of the laboratory or a particular section of the laboratory, under supervision/delegation of the advanced biomedical scientist. This will involve QC and EQA authorisation, training, risk and incident assessment and investigation and HR procedures. The post holder will be expected to have an awareness of budgets and resource responsibility.

In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge in all aspects of the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study through the IBMS specialist portfolio programme and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills and use of various laboratory and Trust based databases are essential to carry out your work.

The post holder will have undertaken all mandatory training required for their role and be willing to attend training to facilitate learning in areas such as basic HR functions, appraisal, incident investigation etc.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical/ Scientific /Technical

Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures using appropriate laboratory and Trust policies.

Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service or providing urgent results. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

Under direction of the team lead co-ordinates effective workflow management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area

Development and validation of in house quality control material and reagents in conjunction with section leadership.

To participate in equipment testing, validation and adaptation as a function of service development

To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy

Leadership and Management

To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme.

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers

To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate and complete relevant training and competency paperwork

To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

Actively supports and encourages individual and team development

To deputise for more senior staff where appropriate

Leads waste reduction incentives for designated area

Contributes to management reports

Supports collaborative team working across all sections.

Quality / Training

To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records

Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes supporting section lead in the monitoring and performance of IQC and EQA.

Support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

Contributes to audit completion in specialist area

Contributes to H&S compliance and audits in specialist area

Contributes to QMS compliance/alignment in specialist area

Conducts incident investigations and risk management including Datix

Monitoring of results to identify any unexpected trends in assay performance

Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area

Leads continuous service improvement in specialist area

Leads service continuity plans for specialist area

Leads implementation of corrective actions from audits

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Other

To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes including CPD.

The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service. This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.

The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.

Any other duties commensurate with grade following discussion with line manager