Senior Biomedical Scientist

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 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.
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 actively participate in meetings within Biochemistry, Clinical Laboratory Medicine and wider within the Trust.
Take a lead on training within Biochemistry.

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

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.
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.

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.
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 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 maintain HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
To demonstrate knowledge of all Trust Policies and procedures.

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

Use of display screen equipment (e.g. computers) frequently throughout the day.
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.
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.


HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
MSC in Biomedical Science, Clinical Chemistry or FIBMS by examination in Clinical Chemistry (if registered before 1994)

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