Senior Biomedical Scientist, Biochemistry

The post holder will have responsibility for the day to day operation of the Biochemistry laboratory service with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), delivered at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital sites.

Working in partnership with the Biochemistry Managers, the post holder will ensure that the requirements for laboratory accreditation (UKAS) and the needs of service users are consistently met.

The post holder will provide effective leadership and training to the department.

The post holder will be part of the Quality and departmental management team, and will participate in Biochemistry Management, Quality, and departmental meetings. The post holder may also be required to represent the Department and/or Directorate at meetings at Divisional and Trust level.

The department's main automated equipment is in the process of being replaced with a new Siemens Atellica solution, including full Aptio tracking across Blood Sciences.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in managing the delivery of a robust Biochemistry service to ELHT.
• Will work as a key member of the Departmental Management Team, responsible for the effective operational management and strategic direction of Biochemistry.
• Will work in partnership with the Directorate Manager, Biochemistry Managers, and other senior staff, to develop and promote efficient and effective systems and processes in the management of the resources.
• Will work with other members of the Biochemistry Senior Team so that the department contributes to and meets the Trust Objectives including cost improvement savings.
• Will take a proactive role in the continuing provision of a high quality and responsive service meeting both regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Will promote continuous improvement in service delivery and quality within Biochemistry.
• To assist in line managing the BMS and support staff, supporting them to undertake the work within Biochemistry and develop a culture in which members of staff are continuously improving the delivery of high quality services.
• Will set and ensure the development and acceptance of challenging but realistic objectives for staff.
• Will communicate effectively with Healthcare Scientists, Clinicians and other healthcare providers both within and outside of the Trust.
• Will actively participate in meetings within Biochemistry, Clinical Laboratory Medicine and wider within the Trust.
• Manage technical audit.
• Take a lead on training within Biochemistry.

About us

The Biochemistry laboratory service at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is delivered 24/7 at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital sites.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

Communication

• To demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer / client relations.
• Participate in organisational development plans to transform the department to meet the needs of the future this will include upholding ELHT shared values.
• To demonstrate constructive and cooperative communication skills that avoid conflict arising between the parties involved.
• To liaise internally with key clinical staff e.g. Consultant medical staff, clinical lead nurses, non-clinical staff and their managers, and operational management staff.
• To represent Biochemistry for issues relating to their particular areas of responsibility, this may involve working with outside agencies and partners.
• Foster the development of teamwork and good communication within Biochemistry.
• To participate in local management meetings decision making and policy implementation.
• Together with the Clinical Director, Consultant Clinical Biochemist and Directorate Manager, ensure complaints both verbal and written are responded to, preparing preliminary findings and initial drafts undertake investigation and route cause analysis.

Management and Leadership/Operational Delivery

• To exercise change, management and leadership skills to enable service delivery
• To work with the Biochemistry Managers in ensuring Biochemistry delivers a quality and responsive clinical and technical service for ELHT and associated stakeholders and partners, providing professional leadership and line management.
• To take a proactive role in implementing long term strategic developments within Biochemistry in response to service improvement or clinical demand.
• To analyse demand and capacity and recommend service configuration and change models, which will make the most efficient use of available resources.

Service Development & Planning

• To ensure that Biochemistry has access to / knowledge of latest developments in automation and technologies.
• To assist with the co-ordination, submission and implementation of proposals for service development that will improve the effectiveness or efficiency of service provision within Biochemistry.
• In conjunction with the Biochemistry Managers be responsible for identifying service pressures and devising action plans or business cases / plans as appropriate.
• To inform and ensure that the Blood Sciences annual objectives are met.
• Be responsible for managing and implementing projects/developments at the discretion of the Lead BMS
• To plan and support the implementation of service improvements in laboratory areas, including skill mix review, demand and capacity planning and process mapping.

Financial

• To manage staffing rotas in a cost effective manner in order to meet service and workload demands.
• To facilitate the cost effective purchasing of all consumables within Blood Sciences and ensure that robust control measures/processes are in place and adhered to.

Quality and Governance

• In conjunction with the Laboratory Operations Manager be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Quality Management System and appropriate external standards (UKAS) are met within
• With the Biochemistry Managers, to be responsible for ensuring the department meets quality targets including turn-around times and consistency of test results.
• Together with the Laboratory Operations Manager, to be responsible for interpreting relevant statutory and accreditation requirements, clinical governance, risk management and quality audit policies and procedures of the Trust and integrating these into standard practice within Biochemistry.
• To ensure the procedures for the reporting of all incidents and Serious Untoward Incidents (SUI) are adhered to and reviewed as necessary ensuring, where appropriate, relevant action plans are drawn up and actions completed.
• Working with the Directorate Manager, ensure that Biochemistry has an annual internal audit plan and that the planned audits are completed to agreed timescales, including corrective actions.
• Working with the Biochemistry Managers, to follow up on external inspections, develop action plans and verify the completion of corrective action as required by the reports of the inspectors.
• To monitor the requirements of Biochemistry users and ensure that they are reflected within defined quality performance measures.

Human Resources

• To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff for the Biochemistry Department.
• To manage, design and deliver training to staff within the department and to any relevant external departments.
• To manage competence assessment for staff in Biochemistry.
• To manage staffing rotas of the staff in Biochemistry, ensuring staffing levels are appropriate for effective service delivery.
• Undertake return to work interviews
• To carry out staff Personal Development Reviews consistent with Trust policy.
• To encourage and motivate staff, providing the skills and leadership qualities necessary to manage the change process towards excellence both in service and culture.
• To utilise and manage staff in the most cost effective and efficient manner.
• To ensure that performance appraisal is implemented as required for all staff to enhance team and individual performance.
• To maintain an environment of constructive, cooperative and non-confrontational communication with all members of the Blood Sciences team.
• To identify development opportunities for all appropriate staff and encourage participation in such opportunities.
• To develop team morale and motivation through effective personal leadership, ensuring views and decisions are communicated both up and down the management structure.

Personal/Education

• To maintain HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• To make decisions in setting your own personal targets and objectives as part of the Trusts PDR system.
• Able to develop and improve own specialist expertise, which may be via a CPD programme. Maintain a portfolio of relevant developments achieved.
• To demonstrate knowledge of all Trust Policies and procedures.

Freedom to act

• Work autonomously, able to interpret Local, Trust and National policies.

Scientific / Clinical

• To be familiar, at an expert level, with all scientific work and systems within Biochemistry, to be able to identify and rectify problems.
• When required, perform analytical work within the department as part of a 24/7 working pattern including weekend and night time working.
• To have a detailed understanding of Biochemistry and offer up advice as the Trust lead for any issues that might arise.
• Work with the Pathology IT manager to ensure the discipline specific modules of the LIMS are maintained and fit for purpose

Other Duties

• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.

PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL DEMANDS

• Line management duties requiring negotiation and persuasion.
• High level of manual dexterity is required whilst working.
• Use of display screen equipment (e.g. computers) frequently throughout the day.
• Required to sit or stand for lengthy periods of time.
• Some exposure to unpleasant and hazardous working conditions - chemicals, solvents, body fluids and potentially infectious materials.
• The demands of the service require working to strict deadlines in a high-pressure environment with numerous distractions, for example frequent telephone queries and questions from other departmental staff.
• Long periods of intense concentration are required due to the complex and intricate nature of the work.
• Required to deal with results and clinical situations, which may cause distress.
• May be required to take part in a 24/7 shift system which includes weekend and night time working.

Training

Post holders are required to attend any relevant and mandatory training for the post.

Review of Job Description

This is not intended to be a comprehensive description of the duties of the post. Due to the Trusts commitment to continuous improvement it is likely that the post will develop over time. These duties will be subject to regular review and any amendments to this job description will be made in consultation and agreement with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualification/Professional registration

Essential

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
• IBMS approved Honours degree
• MSC in Biomedical Science, Clinical Chemistry or FIBMS by examination in Clinical Chemistry (if registered before 1994)

Desirable

• Previous experience within a Biochemistry department
• Experience of training and competence assessment of laboratory staff.
• Extensive knowledge of Biochemistry techniques, equipment and IT.
• Experience in management of staff

Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Haslingden Road

Blackburn

BB2 3HH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

435-D074-24#J-18808-Ljbffr

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