Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

Band 6 Biomedical Scientist in Blood Sciences at Guy’s and St Thomas’ laboratories specialising in Blood Transfusion and Haematology - 24/7 shift - Permanent

This is an exciting opportunity for a full time Specialist Biomedical Scientist (BMS) at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Blood Sciences Essential Services Laboratory (ESL) within one of the leading teaching hospitals in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced state registered BMS to gain further experience and develop skills and knowledge. This is a 24/7 shift role.

You will work with a highly trained and knowledgeable BMS laboratory team initially rotating through Blood Transfusion, routine Haematology and Coagulation. This post may also in the future include rotation into the routine Biochemistry Laboratory as we move to a multidisciplinary setting in the ESL.

Blood Transfusion utilise Winpath Enterprise, Blood-Track systems and Bio-Rad analysers. Haematology and Coagulation use Epic Beaker, Sysmex XN and Sysmex CN.

You will be fully supported and upon satisfactory completion of in-house training and competency assessment you will be required to work on the 24/7 out of hours rota.

We welcome applications from candidates working towards their specialist portfolio.

Main duties of the job

This role delivers biomedical investigations as part of the laboratory team in Synnovis.

Within this you will be issuing blood products, processing specimens, analysing and releasing results whilst maintaining local quality systems. Reporting to the Senior Specialist BMS or Operations Manager, you will be developing your specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Complete routine biomedical investigations in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and within specific turnaround times.
• Develop specialist expertise in complex investigations and troubleshooting techniques.
• Deliver work autonomously within all regulations and legislative requirements.
• Operate and maintain complex laboratory equipment within all safety standards relevant to your area.
• Support colleagues with guidance and answering questions as required.
• Use cost effective methods in your practice and maintain levels of consumable goods and supplies in your area, and report shortages accordingly.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland and the NHS, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Together, they deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership serves approximately 1.7 million residents of South East London, as well as many thousands of patients from outside the region who access local healthcare services. It provides diagnostics, testing, and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP practices, and other healthcare providers.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching trust, offering a rich and varied caseload across numerous specialties, including Women’s Services, Foetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, and Transplantation. It is also home to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre located on the Guy’s site.

Situated near the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, this is an exceptional location in London — ideal for work and leisure, within easy reach of iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye, and The Shard.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To safely handle, use and dispose of blood or other body fluids or hazardous chemicals.
• To plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.
• Advise service users on sample preservation and transportation to laboratory
• To undertake preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
• To prepare store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
• To perform, interpret, and technically validate complex and haematological and transfusion investigations.
• To independently investigate and resolve significant analytical, pre-analytical, and post-analytical issues and escalating where appropriate.
• To provide training and competency assessment for trainees and less experienced staff.
• To perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.
• To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
• To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and quality procedures.
• Participate in internal and external quality assurance programmes
• To undertake preliminary fault finding and corrective action when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
• To report to the section supervisor any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
• To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required
• Dispose of excess and tested samples according to departmental protocols
• To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the section supervisor.
• To participate in audits as directed by the quality lead.
• To contribute to method validation, verification, and implementation of new technologies within Haematology and Blood transfusion.
• To apply evidence-based practice to laboratory processes.
• To participate in research and development as directed by the Operations Manager.
• To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments, including through participation in scientific meetings if appropriate.
• Maintain HCPC registration and undertake Continual Professional Development
• To interpret first line laboratory results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory policies and procedures. e.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and approved pre-defined clinically relevant comments, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significant result.
• To take responsibility for appropriate escalation of urgent, unexpected, or clinically significant results, including direct communication with clinical teams.
• Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.
• To participate in stock control management of reagents.
• To perform stock batch acceptance testing and maintain lot and delivery records.
• To escalate any issues the Senior BMS or Operations Manager when appropriate.
• To participate in clinical audits.
• 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.
• To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
• To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for ISO 15189 and BSQR.
• Supervise work file management to ensure all results are reported with agreed turnaround time
• To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating appropriately with colleagues and managers.
• To support and participate in staff training and development.
• Handle telephone enquiries from service users and where required communicate test results as per departmental protocol
• To participate with supervision of the work and performance monitoring of Medical Laboratory Assistants, trainees and students in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
• To use departmental resources efficiently and advice the Section Supervisor when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
• To participate in the review of policies and procedures, COSHH and workplace risk assessments.
• To participate in the data collection for the operation performance management system (OPMS
• Technical
• Scientific
• Clinical
• Laboratory Informatics
• Administrative

For short periods of time the post holder may be required to deputise for the section supervisor.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.