Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Exciting Opportunity: Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Point of Care Testing.

Are you someone who enjoys working with people and thrives in a role that offers variety and impact? Join our dynamic Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team as Specialist Biomedical Scientist, supporting both hospital-based and community healthcare settings.

In this role, you'll play a key part in delivering high-quality diagnostic services. You will work with the POCT Manager to oversee governance of the Trust point of care service at GSTT. This will involve writing documents such as SOPs and user guides as well as performing audits of equipment and service users. You will coordinate a team of associate practitioners to deliver training to Trust staff on the correct use of POCT instruments and interfaces. You'll also carry out a range of protocol-driven tasks—some of which may be specialist or complex procedures. You will be familiar with interpretation of internal quality control (IQC) and external quality (EQA) assurance data and will assist service users in trouble shooting to improve performance.

You'll work largely independently, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to support routine Secondary Care procedures in both Primary and Secondary Care environments.

Your primary base will be St. Thomas' Hospital, with regular time spent at the Guy's site and visits to Community and Outreach Teams.

Technical

Perform routine maintenance, calibration and first-line troubleshooting of POCT instruments; follow QC, report failures and implement corrective actions; set up equipment and process EQA specimens using automated, semi-automated and manual methods; analyse issues and make judgments; support clinics and labs with installation and training; prepare, store, use reagents; plan workload; validate results for accuracy per protocols; dispose of samples and data per protocols.

Scientific

Undertake method and instrument evaluation; participate in audits and R&D stay current via meetings; maintain HCPC registration and CPD.

Clinical

Interpret first-line results and act per policies: authorise, order follow-ups, add predefined comments, refer for clinical opinion, and notify significant results; provide information to staff and patients; escalate inappropriate requests; participate in clinical audits.

Laboratory Informatics

Comply with data security policies; use LIS per protocols; maintain database integrity and accuracy.

Administrative

Keep records to ISO15189/BSQR; report results within turnaround times; support training and supervise staff; handle enquiries, communicate results; manage resources, advise on stock; review policies, COSHH and risk assessments; contribute OPMS data; deputise for the POCT Manager when required.

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.

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialities associated with a fascinating and career-defining caseload, including: Women's Services, Foetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children's Hospital and the Cancer Centre on Guy's site.

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.

Overview

The POCT Specialist Biomedical Scientist plays a vital role in supporting diagnostic services across hospital and community settings. Working within the Synnovis Pathology framework and in collaboration with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), the post holder ensures the effective operation, maintenance, and quality assurance of point of care testing equipment. This role demands technical proficiency, administrative accuracy, strong communication skills, and a commitment to professional standards and patient care.

Main Responsibilities

Technical Duties

Perform routine operative and preventative maintenance on POCT instruments and analysers.

Undertake first-line calibration and basic troubleshooting of analytical equipment.

Ensure quality control procedures are followed; take corrective action and report failures to senior staff.

Safely set up equipment for use by others and support clinics with installation and training.

Process EQA specimens using automated, semi-automated, and manual methods.

Analyse straightforward scientific and technical issues, evaluating options and making informed decisions.

File samples according to protocol and maintain accurate records.

Administrative Duties

Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to their regular review and updates.

Maintain accurate and compliant records for UKAS accreditation.

Manage stock levels of reagents, consumables, and stationery to ensure uninterrupted service.

Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics, and other departments to support POCT operations.

Assist with procurement processes, including logging and filing delivery documentation.

Ensure timely reporting of results through effective work file management.

Support EQA schemes by distributing samples, collecting data, and collating results.

Contribute to Operational Performance Management Systems (OPMS) by collecting and entering relevant data.

Communication Responsibilities

Communicate effectively with staff and team members, adapting methods to meet individual needs.

Act as the first point of contact for complaints and queries related to POCT services.

Liaise with Trust staff to address training and equipment enquiries promptly and professionally.

Supervisory & Training Responsibilities

Implement new policies and propose changes within Synnovis and community-based POCT areas.

Deliver POCT training to GSTT staff, including conducting workplace assessments.

Provide instruction on POCT procedures to healthcare professionals as directed by the POCT Biomedical Scientists.

Participate in audits of POCT processes across hospital and community settings.

Promote effective teamwork and maintain positive working relationships with all staff.

Generic Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with local and national policies for the secure and confidential handling of patient and laboratory data, in line with SOPs and Synnovis quality standards.

Organize daily tasks independently and prioritize urgent duties.

Proactively escalate issues that may impact service delivery to senior colleagues at Synnovis and GSTT.

Collaborate with community healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care.

Uphold principles of equality and fairness in all professional interactions.

Provide practical training in procedures to new staff within own area.

Maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis Pathology.

Undertake initial training and competency assessments as required.

Maintain knowledge and skills through participation in the annual appraisal cycle.

Adhere to health and safety policies and complete all mandatory and statutory training as directed.