Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Department: Microbiology

Band 6:  £37,338 - £44,962 per annum pro rata

Hours: 30 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Microbiology Department at MKUH is a part of an ever-growing UKAS accredited Pathology Department. An exciting opportunity has arise for a highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC-registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our dynamic Microbiology laboratory team.

We are looking for a passionate & and driven individual who would enjoy the challenge of working in a busy laboratory. You will need to be a team player with excellent communication & interpersonal skills, familiar with Quality Assurance and Quality Management Systems with a genuine desire to further your learning & provide a safe service at the highest standard.

The laboratory processes over 220,000 sample requests per year, we are accredited for HCPC/IBMS training and is currently working towards acquiring UKAS accreditation status. We have recently undergone modernization, incorporating advanced technologies such as MALDI-ToF, Biomerieux, Biofire, Vitek, Bactec FX 400, Vidas IQ100 Sprint analysers and Cepheid GeneXpert.

If you think this opportunity is for you, call us for an informal chat. For more information,  please contact Rizalea Echaluse, Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995781 or Kalana Patabendige, Laboratory Manager on 01908 995790.

Interview date: 10 March 2025

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role

Main duties of the job

• You will be part of a team of Specialist Biomedical Scientists delivering a diagnostic Microbiology Service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, effective resource management.
• You will prioritise their own workload, communicate with senior laboratory staff, clinicians, and patients.
• You will undertake their responsibilities within the Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular, Mycology, Parasitology sections of the laboratory to meet all required national and local standards. These will include analytical, technical, and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery.
• You will work with complete patient confidentiality in line with the departments/ Trusts policy on Data Protection Act 1998.
• You will be expected to work alone or as part of a team providing a 24-hour laboratory cover throughout the year as required, this will include working morning, afternoon, and night shifts or on-call on weekends and public holidays.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The department provides good opportunities for CPD and ongoing education/training relevant to the job role will be supported. The laboratory is also a part of South 4 Pathology Partnership Network and works very closely with other Network laboratories.

Technical:

• Carry out analytical duties manipulating samples and reagents with accuracy, precision, and speed to ensure a high-quality cost-effective service.
• Prioritisation of section work to take account of workload and urgency of analyses

Scientific:

• To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the section senior.
• To participate in research and development and clinical trials as directed by the laboratory Chief/Senior BMS.

Clinical:

• To work in any section of the laboratory as required.
• Prioritisation and planning of the daily workload and take part in the daily routine work as required.

Laboratory informatics:

• 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.

Administrative:

• To deputise for a Senior Biomedical Scientist (Band7) in their absence.
• To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating with colleagues and managers, in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.

General:

• To comply with the Departments and Trusts policies, requirement, and code of conduct.
• To maintain State Registration.

Please refer to the job description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.  Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.   This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing  employment  with  the  Trust,  all  employees  (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are  subject  to  a probationary period lasting  a  period  of  six  months  with  an  option  to extend  for  a  further  six  months  to  a total of  12 months.