Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

Our Virology department is looking for a HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team. The successful applicant will be trained to participate in the weekly bench duties expected of a BMS, as well as wider involvement in quality, training, and health and safety. The successful post holder will be expected to participate in our  weekend rota and the on-call rota.

Knowledge and experience of working in a Virology laboratory is essential. Annex 21 will be considered where applicants hold HCPC registration but do not have two years post registration experience and/or do not hold an IBMS specialist diploma in Virology.

Our laboratory benefits from fully automated serology and molecular work solutions that run alongside our specialist molecular work areas, allowing us to put our patients at the heart of an innovative and forward-thinking diagnostic service. If you have the knowledge, skills and an approach that fits with our department then we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This is an opportunity for you to develop practical experience in a variety of diagnostic techniques and equipment, from manual confirmation tests to high throughput serology and molecular automation. You will be responsible for a range of procedures, checking quality control, validating, and authorising results, as well as alerting our clinical team to significant results and following up further tests as appropriate. The successful candidate will be expected to work well within the team and be able to adapt and flex to the service needs. There will be opportunities for personal and professional development within this role and the opportunity to help shape the future of the department.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To initially assess a patient's needs and appropriate investigations when requests arrive in the laboratory.
• To perform all routine and advanced scientific work of the Virology Laboratory within set local and national quality assurance guidelines.
• To report test results to the Clinical Virologist, hospital clinicians and GPs.
• Ensure the confidentiality of patient records and data according to NHS (Venereal Diseases) Regulations Act 1974, Data Protection Act 1998 and Caldicott Guidelines.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Virology for the better provision of the service to the patient.
• To perform all laboratory duties diligently and with due care and consideration to the health, safety and welfare of oneself and others.
• The daily supervision of support staff.
• To analyse Virology specimens to identify potential pathogens and provide information for treatment and monitoring of a patient's disease status.
• Provide "at the bench" training of new staff or visitors to a section.
• Organizes one's own work and makes sure the results that have been produced are validated and properly quality controlled.

• Technically authorise specialist investigations in Virology  where the results from these investigations influence patient care providing diagnosis and prognosis of viral illnesses and monitoring a patient’s status and need to change anti-viral therapy.
• Carry out serological testing service where the results provide information on the diagnosis and prognosis of viral illness, diagnosis and treatment outcome of bacterial illnesses.

• To make sure all the investigations assessed, as necessary for the investigation of a patient’s condition, are carried out and reported in a timely manner.
• To be proficient in the use of the specialised equipment used in the department.
• To bring to the attention of the section leader or duty clinical consultant any results that might be considered as “erroneous” or "clinically significant".
• To carry out scheduled internal preventative maintenance on analysers that are being used in their section of work. As required to initiate any first-line remedial action.
• To report any technical or machine-based non-compliance that occur during the processing of a specimen to the Senior BMS so that appropriate immediate corrective action can be taken and allow release of the results of the investigation.

• Attending laboratory meeting to keep up to date with developments in each section of the laboratory.

• To learn the procedures for administration of specimens and pathology-based computer system. Allowing entry of patient details, results entry and searching for patient and specimen details.
• Notification of stock usage to the laboratory manager or section lead.
• Maintain state registration and provide management with evidence of such.
• The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation and participate in the weekend and on call rota.

The post holder shall provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues as needed.