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Job description

The Microbiology Department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital has a vacancy for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist. This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified Biomedical Scientist to join a large and busy UKAS accredited and IBMS registered training laboratory. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who would enjoy the challenge of working in a busy laboratory.

The department is well-equipped, offering a comprehensive service including Bacteriology, liquid TB culture, Mycology and Andrology. The department also provides an extensive range of virology and molecular services (including SARS-CoV-2).

The successful candidate will be reliable, enthusiastic, motivated and forward thinking. They will be able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and must be a team player. They will have the opportunity to work in all sections of the department and will receive full training and support relevant to the level of experience.

This role forms a key part of the laboratory’s scientific team. Biomedical Scientists routinely work in most section of the laboratory on a rotational basis.

All candidates must have current HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.

Previous experience (appropriate years) of working in a UK clinical microbiology laboratory as an HCPC-registered BMS is essential. Candidates should have an IBMS Specialist portfolio in Medical Microbiology (or equivalent experience), or have a completed portfolio pending verification.

The routine laboratory hours are 0830 to 1700, Monday to Friday. The post holder will also be required to work as part of the weekend and Bank Holiday rota and overnight on-call rota.

The Microbiology laboratory is located on the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital site and provides an extensive service to the hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, other smaller local hospitals and to GPs in Gloucestershire and south Worcestershire. The current workload is approximately 380,000 specimens a year.

The laboratory has a staff team of about 60 people, including scientific and medical roles.

The department has a long history of training and developing staff in different roles. It is approved as a training laboratory by the Institute of Biomedical Science, and has been accredited by UKAS to the ISO15189 standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• IBMS approved BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology
• Appropriate years’ experience as a registered Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology
• Good communication skills
• Conscientious nature, with a high degree of care and accuracy of work
• A high degree of computer literacy
• A high degree of technical and manual dexterity
• A high degree of problem-solving abilities

Technical Roles

• Preparation of biomedical specimens and materials.
• Analysis of samples using various specialist techniques.
• Use of the laboratory computer to accurately record patient data.
• Interpretation of complex analytical results, using specialist knowledge
• Use of specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples received in each section
• Knowledge in the troubleshooting, adjustment and repair of instrumentation
• Ensure departmental quality standards are maintained through adherence to standard operating procedures, implementation of quality control programmes and instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Strict adherence to the codes of practice in all matters concerning conduct at work including patient confidentiality.
• Adherence to all Trust and laboratory employment and Health and Safety policies & Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.
• Maintain technical competency in all relevant sections. Ensure that all training and competency documentation is completed in a timely manner and accurately recorded.
• Prioritisation of section work to take account of workload and urgency of analyses
• Participation in internal audit, internal and external quality control.
• Participation as appropriate in laboratory meetings, discussion groups and projects.
• Maintaining high standard of professional competence and up-to-date knowledge of new developments in both the laboratory and in the field of clinical microbiology in general.
• Participation in the laboratory out of hours (on-call) and shift rotas.

Specialist Areas

Sample Reception:
Developing specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples received onto the bench by interpretation of clinical information and specimen type. The safe handling of high-risk samples and dealing with any leaking/damaged samples. Rapid and accurate computer data entry including entry of patient demographics using the LIMS system and handling incoming telephone calls, giving advice and results to users.

Microbiological Culture:
Developing specialist knowledge to select appropriate media, incubation temperatures and atmospheres as indicated by specimen type and clinical information provided. Using that knowledge to interpret culture results to decide if significant organisms (bacteria/fungi) are present. Performing identification techniques and antimicrobial sensitivity tests and interpreting these. Relying upon this knowledge to compile and format clinical reports.

Microscopy:
Performing microscopic investigations using plain light, polarised and fluorescence techniques to examine unstained and stained preparations including parasites, cell counts of various body fluids, the detection of micro-organisms in patient samples. Microscopy of seminal fluid for post vasectomy and infertility investigations.

Staining:
Performing standard staining techniques e.g., Gram, ZN, auramine and specialist stains as indicated by findings or clinical information provided.

Blood cultures:
Dealing with positive blood cultures flagged by BacT/Alert system using techniques described above.

Specialised Cultures/Techniques:
Processing environmental and infection control samples, processing samples for viral and bacterial infections, using specialised PCR technology.

Serology:
Undertaking virological and non-virological analysis of serum samples using both automated systems (Vidas3, DS2, Cobas e411) and manual methods.

Containment Level 3 Room:
Working within the CL3 room dealing with high-risk samples safely, to be familiar with the enactment of emergency procedures and to be able to dispose of high-risk waste appropriately.

COVID Laboratory:
Working within a secure laboratory dealing with high-risk samples safely, to be familiar with the enactment of emergency procedures and to be able to dispose of high-risk waste appropriately.
To be able to prioritise samples according to user requirements. Prepare specimens for testing dependent on platform of choice, and act upon the result provided ensuring reflex or referral testing is performed appropriately.

Equipment:
Developing knowledge of all instrumentation to ensure that the post holder is capable of operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the following equipment and any new equipment acquired:

• Automated serology analysers
• PCR analysers
• BacT/Alert blood culture and liquid TB analysers
• Sedimax urine analysers
• Anaerobic incubation cabinet
• CL3 safety cabinets
• Various other equipment including, centrifuges and incubators