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Job description

Senior Biomedical Scientist, working in a specialist diagnostic laboratory, alongside other Biomedical Scientists, laboratory support, consultant neuropathologists and university researchers and staff.

The post holder will take a leading role in quality and health & safety in the laboratory, supporting the Quality Manager in the implementation of ISO 15189:2022.

They will rotate through the laboratory services, with a focus on the neuromuscular diagnostic pathways.

• Deputises for the Lead Biomedical Scientist as required.
• Responsibility for the day to day management of a laboratory section (including documentation, QA, audit, improvement, incident management, etc.).
• Responsible for the smooth daily provision of service to all sections on a rota basis.
• Supervises Specialist BMS and support staff and assists in training
• Assists the laboratory manager in developing the department’s quality management system (QMS)
• Supporting the laboratory management team with all aspects of health and safety in the lab.
• Assists in maintaining UKAS accreditation
• Not required to manage a budget but ensures resources are optimised by collaborating with the Service Manager and other laboratory staff to monitor and control the use of reagents and offers recommendations for optimising the service.
• Responsible for preparation of tissues for a frozen section service.
• Not expected to participate in a routine out of hours service but when appropriate, and when agreed with Laboratory Lead or Service Manager, assists in providing acute service needs.

The Neuropathology Department provides a neuropathology and ocular pathology service to aid diagnosis and or management of patients through appropriate analytical assessment. The service is offered to the clinicians of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, to regional and supra-regional hospitals and supports a service to HM Coroners in Oxford and the region.

In addition we provide a full interpretative and consultative national and international referral service. We are involved in the education and training of laboratory, clinical and other appropriate staff in all matters pertinent to neuropathology.

We support and promote a blend of diagnostic and research activity and collaborate with staff, post-doctoral scientists and students of the University of Oxford especially NDCN and with the Oxford Brain Bank.

Qualifications

• Would hold a higher scientific qualification (Masters in Biomedical Science) or demonstrate further professional development.
• Must be a registered Biomedical Scientist with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and must maintain registration.
• Ideally, would hold a IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Quality Management or similar.
• Must hold a BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification acceptable to HCPC.
• Must participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities to the satisfaction of HCPC.

Competencies

• Good knowledge and experience in quality management systems within an NHS laboratory
• Excellent working knowledge and proficiency in current histological and immunocytochemical techniques and their clinical applications.
• Experience of operating, maintaining and troubleshooting specialised departmental equipment.
• Highly developed co–ordination skills with good dexterity.
• Knowledge of and ability to develop the departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) including those relating to Health and Safety.
• Ability to provide a frozen section service.
• Experience of staff management techniques e.g. training and supervising.
• Works as part of a team and also aware of responsibilities within team.
• Ability to prioritise work appropriately.
• Good personal and team organisational skills.• Ability to provide training to all staff groups and grades working within department.
• Ability to mentor trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, written and spoken that promotes and maintains good working relationships.
• Knowledge and skills relevant to customer care, for example, when dealing with bereavement staff, clinical staff, police and other support staff.
• Highly but appropriately motivated and able to motivate others.
• Approachable and accessible.

Key Result Areas

Clinical

• Provides general non-clinical advice, information or guidance to service users, particularly immediate colleagues, medical staff, theatre staff, mortuary staff and other Biomedical Scientists.
• Prepares and advises others on preparation of tissues for specialist neuropathology diagnostic techniques after training.

Science and Technology

• Possesses a detailed and expert knowledge and understanding of technical processes relating to the demonstration of normal and abnormal histology, applying this to the practice of neuro- and ocular-pathology.
• Possesses an expert knowledge of the appropriate preparation of the different kinds of neuropathological samples from specimen reception through to case dispatch to the consultants. This requires a high degree of concentration/experience to ensure to ensure accuracy, correct sample preparations are made, diagnostic tests controlled appropriately and test runs monitored for quality. Procedures often require exceptional hand-eye co-ordination, e.g. preparation of muscle biopsies.
• In rotation with other staff, responsible for delivery of the surgical histology, immunocytochemistry and post mortem service.
• Assists in sampling tissue for histological investigation when directed by consultant staff.
• Applies accurate and appropriate procedures according to clinical details or request from consultant.
• Uses and adheres to standard operating procedures and only amends these methods after prior agreement with staff.
• Ensures Standard operating procedures and policies in use within the department remain contemporary and relevant.
• Assists in the development and review of standard operating procedures. Ensures that all procedures are documented and available to all members of staff.
• Applies effective quality control.
• Liaise on a day-to-day basis with the staff ensuring that agreed quality standards of service are maintained in all areas of the department.
• Interprets the technical quality of results (Quality Assurance).
• Ensures records are maintained in order to audit quality of performance.
• Participates in National External Quality Assurance Scheme (NEQAS) tests and are submitted on time and to an appropriately high standard.
• Develops and maintains skills appropriate to the grade in order to provide the best possible laboratory service to our service users by participating in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
• Undertakes investigations as requested by senior staff.
• Ensures the functioning of, and adequate maintenance of equipment. Informs line manager should remedial action be necessary.
• Attends user group meetings when directed by Service Manager.
• Assists in the implementation of recommended change arising from new legislation.
• Maintains levels of professional standards set by the Service Manager and Clinical Lead.
• Contributes to the scientific understanding and development of the profession and departmental team.

Ethical

• Strictly observes confidentiality of all information concerning patients and adheres to the Data Protection Act.
• Ensures trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants understand and comply with requirements of patient confidentiality.
• Represents the department to a high professional standard in conduct, manner and appearance and upholds Trust Core Values.
• Ensures that tissue is not used except for purposes consented by patients or next of kin.
• Maintains standards set by the Service Manager.

Appraisal

• Participates and meets agreed objectives identified in the Trust appraisal scheme.
• Ensures professional knowledge and skills are maintained by identifying and addressing own training needs. Assists Service Manager in setting own objectives.
• Assists Service Manager in planning objectives and suggesting training of BMS and Medical Laboratory Assistant grades.
• Ensures records are maintained in order to achieve the highest possible quality of performance and job satisfaction.

Health & Safety

• Adheres to all safety legislation with particular regard to the Health and Safety in Work Act, COSHH and the principles of risk assessment and its management.
• Adheres to high standards of safety in carrying out duties within laboratory including annual attendance at fire lectures.
• Adheres to Model Rules of department
• Very good knowledge of chemical handling, storage and disposal.
• Assists in the implementation of recommended change arising from new legislation.
• Observes and adheres to all OUH corporate policies.
• Raises concerns on health and safety with line manager.
• Participates in risk management including the reporting of accidents and incidents in accordance with Trust policy. Assists in investigations.
• Collaborates with the Service Manager to ensure a safe working environment for staff, patients and visitors and ensures supervised staff comply with laboratory safety procedures.
• Performs laboratory housekeeping activities that supports safety in the laboratory.

Managerial / Organisational

• The post holder is expected to be Quality Lead for the laboratory service.
• Carries out and supervises audits, as directed by the service manager.
• Assists in sampling tissue for histological investigation when directed by consultant staff.
• Ensures consumables are maintained.
• Maintains appropriate records and statistics as directed by the Service Manager.
• Assists in the induction, orientation and training of BMSs and Medical Laboratory Assistant grades as directed by the Service Manager.
• Offers opinions or advises Service Manager of new techniques, equipment and systems which could facilitate improved efficiency and quality.
• Alerts Service Manager of any maintenance of the estate with special regard to staff safety and new developments.

Communication

• Communicates with staff and service users appropriately, effectively and efficiently by using email, faxes, preparing minutes, Standard operating procedures, etc.
• Advises service users of appropriate method of preparation and transport of samples.
• Participates in education programmes.
• Prepares and presents tutorial sessions to BMSs and Medical Laboratory Assistant colleagues.
• Provides appropriate and knowledgeable advice to service users.
• Liaises effectively and appropriately with colleagues to ensure an efficient service and positive working environment.
• Disseminates information to other relevant sources as appropriate and necessary.

Information Technology

• Complies with legislation relating to data protection.
• Enters and retrieves data accurately and efficiently from Surgical Reporting System.
• Enters and retrieves data accurately and efficiently from Post Mortem Reporting System.
• Enters and retrieves data accurately and efficiently from all other Neuropathology databases.
• Very good working knowledge ofWord, Excel, PowerPoint

Other

• When agreed with the Service Manager to take part in a voluntary single discipline “out of hours” service.
• Complies with Working Time Directive and informs Service Manager if opt out is necessary.
• Duties outlined may change from time to time but be consistent with grade and in consultation with the Clinical Lead and Service Manager.

Working Relationships

Possesses skills that aid communication with colleagues in the department and wider healthcare environment.