Senior Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

The Pathology Department at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust currently has vacancy for an enthusiastic, innovative, quality driven, Senior Biomedical Scientist in the automated Biochemistry department. Our modern and well-equipped department processes more than 7 million diagnostic tests per annum on state of the art analytical platforms.

Applications are invited from applicants who are suitably qualified and have HCPC registration. The Biochemistry department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory which has state of the art pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical automated systems.

The post holder will support existing Senior Biomedical scientists in overseeing day-to-day running of the lab, with supervisory responsibility over Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.

The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies; be a frontline problem solver and manage the day-to-day running of the laboratory. The post holder will participate in all quality activities and must attend and contribute at departmental meetings on a regular basis.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is a Senior Biomedical Scientist in a high-quality Biochemistry department managing Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical Support Workers to deliver a high-quality pathology service 24/7/365 based on the effective use of the quality management system and all other relevant systems.  •    As a Senior Biomedical Scientist the post holder is an integral part of the Pathology Management Team. •    The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies; be a frontline problem solver and manage the day-to-day running of the laboratory. •    The post holder will participate in all quality activities and must attend and contribute at departmental meetings on a regular basis. •    The post holder has a training and mentoring responsibility to all grades of staff within the scope of their competency.  •    The post holder must undertake their responsibilities to comply with national standards e.g. UKAS, MHRA, and all other patient safety initiatives. •    The post holder is responsible for leading incremental change /improvement in processes through the change control structure. •    The post holder is expected to deputise for the Operational Manager as required. •    The post holder is expected to oversee and manage complex troubleshooting of equipment and results. •    The post holder is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of staff rosters.  •    The post holder will be required to investigate deviations from expected QA results successfully and resolve the cause of the deviation through the non-conformance process. •    The post holder must uphold and respect the vision and values of the laboratory as described in the Pathology Quality Policy as follows: •    We put patient safety above all else •    We aspire to excellence  •    We reflect, we learn, we improve •    We respect and support each other

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KSF Core Dimension 1 Communication Level 2 The post holder is required to: - 1.    Communicate in a manner that is consistent with legislation policies and procedures. 2.    Communicate effectively with all members of the Pathology staff, clinicians and visitors to the department. 3.    Improve communication by the use of communication skills. 4.    Be aware of possible barriers to communication and how to overcome them. 5.    Deal sensitively with patient/ clinician enquiries in stressful situations. 6.    Ensure confidentiality of all written verbal and electronic information. 7.    Keep accurate and complete records in line with legislation, policies and procedures. 8.    Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, referring to appropriate specialist requests for information outside their area of responsibility. 9.    Be able to use all relevant forms of communication. 10.    Where required prepare and present information on equipment, processes, scientific and technical topics. 11.    Attend and participate in biochemistry meetings and presentations 12.    Effectively communicate outcomes and content of relevant meetings to team members. 13.    Develop and maintain effective levels of communication with other Department members throughout Pathology. 14.    Share information and best practice to improve levels of service provided by Pathology. 15.    Attend and participate in departmental meetings. 16.    Maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology, laboratory medicine and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.

KSF Core Dimension 2 Personal and People Development Level 3 1.    Take responsibility for own personal development and take an active part in learning opportunities. 2.    A portfolio must be maintained to demonstrate –

a.    How the post holder is applying skills and knowledge in relation to their KSF outline. b.    To record that the post holder is keeping up to date with current scientific and technical developments including participation in scientific meetings as appropriate. c.    How the post holder is participating in post graduate continuing professional development to comply with the requirements of the Healthcare Professions Council.

• Supervise the training and development of Junior Medical Staff, Biomedical Support workers, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists (all levels) in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible. 4.    Attend an annual personal development review with their manager. 5.    Attend all mandatory and role specific training.

KSF Core Dimension 3 Health Safety and Security Level 2 1.    Comply with the policies and procedures of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and the department’s Quality Management System. 2.    Observe and adhere to local and national risk management and Health and safety policies. 3.    Identify and assess potential risks in the workplace and report these risks to the appropriate manager. 4.    Support other team members in maintaining health, safety and security, through positive action and leading by example. 5.    Handle safely potentially infectious blood, and hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. 6.    Identify and communicate any areas in which Health and Safety improvements could be made. 7.    Promote good laboratory practices and in particular ensure the work benches and areas are kept clean and tidy. 8.    Report all Health, Safety and Security incidents promptly to the appropriate persons.

KSF Core Dimension 3 Service Improvement Level 2 1.    Make suggestions on how services can be improved for the users and propose service development improvements to the appropriate team manager. 2.    Maintaining a flexible approach to the post in order to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns and requirements. 3.    Support other members of the team in implementing change. 4.    Participate in service evaluation. 5.    Participate in the introduction of new techniques and equipment into the department. 6.    Contribute to the evaluation proposals for service by keeping up to date with technical developments through liaison with company representatives and reading technical journals. 7.    Act on audit findings to improve the service in the identified areas. 8.    Update SOPs to ensure they are up-to-date with current practices, and create new SOPs for new procedures.

KSF Core Dimension 5 Quality Level 3 1.    Comply with good work practices in accordance with the standards of the department’s Quality Management System, UKAS and any other accreditation, regulatory and legislative bodies. 2.    Store and use reagents according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures. 3.    Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures. 4.    Recognize when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods and inform appropriate senior Biomedical Scientist staff. 5.    Initiate, perform and interpret the results of audits within the Laboratory. 6.    Be able to impart the importance and effectiveness of good quality control to others. 7.    Recognize and then take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods. 8.    Deal effectively and professionally with queries or complaints relating to quality issues. 9.    Manage the preparation and review of laboratory policies and procedures (SOPs) following national and local quality system guidelines. 10.    Ensure that all results including EQA are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example the re-deployment of resources within the section in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.  11.    Be able to cope with unpredictable workload and maintain quality despite frequent interruptions for ad-hoc queries and telephone requests for information. 12.    Maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.

(KSF Core Dimension 6 Equality and Diversity Level 2) 1.    Act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures. 2.    Maintain good work relations with all staff members. 3.    Treat every member of staff, users of the service and the public with dignity, courtesy and respect. 4.    Identify and action, when own or others’ behaviour undermines equality and diversity.

KSF Dimension HWB8 Biomedical Investigation and Intervention Level 3 1.    Be able to interpret and follow standard operating procedures. 2.    Perform routine biomedical investigations including. a.    Automated techniques b.    Semi-automated techniques c.    Manual techniques 3.    Check and confirm the identity and quality of specimens/samples at all relevant stages in line with established procedures, protocols and the department’s Quality Management System 4.    Handle and process specimens/samples in a way which: a.    Is consistent with the indicated degree of risk or urgency. b.    Maintains the required quality and integrity. c.    Maintains their unique identification and their links to relevant records/documentation. d.    Is appropriate to the nature and stage of the investigation. 5.    Assess the processes and outcomes of investigations using the correct quality control criteria in line with the department’s Quality Management System, investigating  anomalous results and referring to the operations manager and clinical team if required. 6.    Work within the limits of own competence and refer results requiring specialist knowledge to the operations manager and clinical team if required. 7.    Prepare store and use reagents according to manufacturer’s instructions and in line with the department’s Quality Management System. 8.    Maintain adequate supplies of reagents and consumables in line with the department’s Quality Management System. 9.    Participate in the introduction of new methods in the laboratory. 10.    Participate in a 24-hour 365-day shift service when required. 11.    Be responsible for day-to-day operations ensuring compliance with national standards. 12.    Be prepared to work with a variety of specimen types.

KSF Dimension EF1 Systems Vehicle and Equipment Level 2 1.    Participate in planning the introduction of new equipment or methods to the department. 2.    Quickly assimilate problems with equipment and initiate corrective action. 3.    Monitor and review laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the operations manager. 4.    Monitor that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory instruments and equipment, prior to them being used for patient investigations and be aware of the procedure for raising defects/concerns with the equipment. 5.    Carry out first line trouble shooting of complex analytical equipment or methods.  6.    Arrange and supervise emergency call outs and preventative maintenance visits by technical staff from 3rd party suppliers. 7.    Lead or supervise, as appropriate, the resolution of equipment or method failures that may include dismantling instruments to carry out initial repairs.

KSF Dimension IK2 Information Collection and Analysis Level 2 1.    Comply with local and national policies and the department’s Quality Management System for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information. 2.    Use the Laboratory and appropriate Trust Information System according to the authorized protocols. 3.    Enter patient demographics and technical laboratory data onto the Laboratory Information System in line with the department’s Quality Management System 4.    Participate in audits and clinical trials when required. 5.    Collect and interpret quality assurance data to ensure all excursions are followed through the non-conformance process. 6.     Report results within the agreed turnaround time, and take appropriate action, for example communicating with colleagues and managers in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.

KSF Dimension G3 Procurement and Commissioning Level 1 1.    Supervise and monitor the effective use and ordering of consumable supplies for the area of responsibility.  2.    Monitor that reagents are stored and used according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures. 3.    Monitor the delivery of goods and within limits of their responsibility resolve any issues with suppliers in a professional and timely manner. KSF Dimension G6 People Management Level 2 1.    Plan, allocate and supervise the work to ensure all required tasks are completed effectively. 2.    Develop work plans and allocate work in a way which: - o    Is consistent with the team’s objectives. o    Is realistic and achievable. o    Takes full account of team members’ abilities and development needs. 3.    Encourage staff to contribute to the planning and organization of their work. 4.    Support staff in the assessment of their own work and give effective feedback. 5.    Support team members effectively during the NHS KSF development review process and enable them to meet their development objectives. 6.    Take part in the annual appraisal and personal development review of staff. 7.    Objectively assess the work of the team and provide clear constructive feedback to the team in a manner most likely to maintain and improve performance. o    Empower those with the correct level of competence to carry out duties as part of a team or alone that are commensurate with their abilities and training.  8.    Agree with team members’ courses of action to address issues with their work. 9.    Contribute to the recruitment and selection of team members when required to meet organizational needs consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. 10.    Contribute to the planning of the out-of-hours biochemistry rota. 11.    Assess staff competency and update/amend staff competency assessment documentation to ensure it reflects current practice.