Biomedical Scientist London, England
Job description
**This is a permanent opportunity**
We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest and growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.
Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital and Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, experienced and capable Biomedical Scientist to join the Reference Biochemistry Department at Synnovis King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust.
To obtain band 6 status, candidates are expected to have obtained their IBMS Specialist Portfolio or be able to demonstrate extensive experience in multiple sections of Clinical Biochemistry. Candidates will be initially recruited at band 5 if the band 6 criteria is not met – however, they will be supported to obtain their IBMS Specialist Portfolio after successful completion of the probation period (6 months).
As a Biomedical Scientist within Clinical Biochemistry, the post holder will be responsible for delivering the delegated tasks required for the delivery of fit-for-purpose medical laboratory service. The sections of the Clinical Biochemistry utilise a variety automated and manual assays on blood, urine, faeces, CSF and other body materials. Much of the work is specialised and utilises LC-MS/MS. These tests must be delivered to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management. As this is a rotational post, the post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities within any of the specialist sections in Reference Biochemistry and Toxicology. The department is an approved IBMS/HCPC training laboratory and continuous professional development is actively encouraged.
Please note: Candidates will be expected to have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or have relevant experience, as this is a requisite for employment at Band 6 Biomedical Scientist AfC equivalent grade in Reference Biochemistry.
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Communication
1. Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team
2. Liaise with users of the service as necessary to issue results, gain further information, and deal with enquiries with direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff.
3. Service issues reported to the appropriate Biomedical Scientist / Section Lead.
4. Communication of written and/or verbal messages to appropriate person in an effective and timely manner.
5. Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context
Technical
1. Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated-laboratory investigations under the direct supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist.
2. Perform analytical work in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and Health and Safety Regulations as directed by the Section Manager or Trainer so as to maximise the use of available resources and provide a speedy and efficient service.
3. Complete other allocated laboratory duties as directed by Section Manager or Trainer.
4. Assist in the day-to-day operation of designated laboratory areas within the Department of Clinical Biochemistry as required by the Department of Clinical Biochemistry Trainee Biomedical Scientist training program.
5. Gain knowledge of the techniques and procedures performed in each laboratory within the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and demonstrate proficiency in performance within a reasonable time to the required standard.
6. Maintain laboratory equipment in a safe clean working condition through performance of scheduled maintenance as outlined in the relevant SOP’s for each laboratory.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of Quality Control procedures and the requirement to report anomalies.
8. Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures under the direct supervision of a Biomedical Scientist.
Scientific
1. Develop knowledge of the significance of medical laboratory work in order to offer the best possible service to users.
2. Maintain a reflective practice diary as part of a Professional Development Portfolio.
3. Participation in data collection and audit to provide evidence for service development.
Clinical
1. Learn how to interpret laboratory results and take appropriate actions under the direct supervision of a Biomedical Scientist including: • Technical validation of laboratory investigations
- Ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures
- Adding relevant technical and approved pre-defined clinically relevant comments
- Referring results for a second opinion
- Informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant results
Laboratory Informatics
1. Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
2. Use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
3. Enter personally generated test results on the LIMS under the direct supervision of a Biomedical Scientist.
4. Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) / ISO 15189.
Resource Management
1. Use departmental resources efficiently and advise Section Manager, if stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
Risk Management
1. The post holder has a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital.
2. Work within the Department of Clinical Biochemistry Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice and maintain Health and Safety Standards in the laboratory.
3. Maintain the laboratory and workbenches clean and tidy.
4. Gain awareness of hazards inherent in the laboratories and use of adequate precautions at all times.
5. Safely handle, use or dispose of blood, faeces, urine, other body tissue, hazardous and or radioactive chemicals.
6. Identify problems affecting own area of work and report to line manager where appropriate.
7. Report to the Health and Safety Officer deficiencies in the laboratory and/or any incident which involves injury or potential injury to hospital staff and visitors or which could affect patient welfare in any way.
8. Maintain awareness of the local fire rules in the case of fire or suspected fire and report potential problems to the local Fire Marshall.
9. Attend Trust training for Health and Safety and Manual Handling.
General
The post holder may be required to carry out other duties in line with the grading of the post. The job description may be subject to change and, if so, this will take place in consultation with the post holder.
Confidentiality
The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and Health Service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018).
Equal Opportunities
The post holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with regard to the Equal Opportunities Policy.
Health and Safety
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Smoking Policy
Synnovis is a healthcare organisation and smoking is actively discouraged and is prohibited in the majority of our locations. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas.
Data Protection Act
Employees must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. In circumstances where it is known that a member of staff has communicated such information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act (2018) also renders an individual liable to prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
