Biomedical Scientist

Job summary

About us:

Sonic Healthcare is an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the worlds leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.

Sonic Healthcare UK encompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 2,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.

Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.

Main duties of the job

About the role:

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist wishing to work in pathology at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital Laboratory in London.

The laboratory operates a 24/7 service and the successful candidate would be expected to participate in all of the shifts to support the needs of the 24/7 requirements of the service as allocated by the Pathology Lead. The ideal candidate will contribute to providing a professional and technical laboratory service working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department and to work independently performing routine analyses with support as required from Pathology Lead.

Duties include performance of Haematology, Coagulation, Biochemistry, Immunoassay and Blood Transfusion tests accurately and efficiently, monitor quality control program and assist in stock control. Working as part of a small team, this is an excellent opportunity to further develop your skills, knowledge and experience within this multidisciplinary laboratory. Duties also include maintaining TAT, morphology and cross-matching, NHSBT referrals and providing component support for Major Haemorrhages.

A competitive salary and benefits package, plus the opportunity to join a friendly and growing organisation, will be offered to the successful applicant.

About us

At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

Training and development opportunities supporting professional development

Annual performance related salary review

** No banding restrictions:**As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience. This also means that annual salary reviews do not hit a band ceiling.

Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms

Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians

Sick Pay Entitlement 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter

Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover

Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)

Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing

Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket

Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts

Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with service

Competitive annual leave allowance -28 days

Flexible working hours hours standard working week

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overall Job Purpose:

To help in the smooth and efficient running of a section within the Department ofBlood Sciencesto ensure safe, rapid, timely and accurate reporting of results. Investigation and analysis of samples by the application of techniques and testing that include Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Transfusion and sample preparation for Microbiology, Genetics and Histology.

The post holder will be required to work within any section of the department including core and unsocial hours as required.

Main Duties: To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:

Participate in all areas of laboratory bench work, whilst adhering to standard operating procedures and participating in their regular review and update. Multidisciplinary working as required.

3. Techniques and testing that include Technical validation and authorisation of results, taking appropriate action in line with SOPs; to include adding approved comments, communication and referring results for clinical interpretation as required.

4. Communicate patients results and answer enquiries from health care professionals providing information regarding appropriate investigations required and explanation of results, within departmental guidelines and professional code of conduct.

5. Interpret clinical information and use scientific knowledge to process specimens for appropriate tests, seeking advice from senior staff and clinicians when necessary.

6. Undertake specimen preparation and analysis for a range of sample types.

7. Operate and maintain analytical equipment in the department.

8. Evaluate and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.

9. Interpret complex scientific data and enter test results on pathology computer system.

10. Check reports for further action by clinical staff.

11. Authorise reports as delegated within departmental policy.

12. Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform the Section Leader if back-up stocks are low.

13. To assist when required in the preparation of documentation for UKAS (ISO) accreditation.

14. Able to solve complex problems within work area, but advise both clinicians and senior staff of any clinical and managerial issues.

Specific Responsibilities: To include, but not restricted to, the following:

Scientific, Technical and Professional

To undertake work as you are assigned in compliance with current CPA/UKAS accreditation and TDL Quality Management System and H&S requirements. To adhere to all standard operating procedures at all times as relevant to the department in which you are working. To undertake routine manual, semi-automated and automated analytical work on a range of biological materials in the disciplines of haematology, coagulation, biochemistry and transfusion. Technical validation and authorisation of results, taking appropriate action in line with SOPs; to include adding approved comments, communication and referring results for clinical interpretation as required.

Evaluate results for credibility and inform the Senior BMSs/ Consultants and / or the requesting clinician of any notifiable abnormalities.

To operate, maintain and troubleshoot various pieces of laboratory equipment and to ensure all items are correctly functioning and quality controlled at all times including cleaning. To perform sample receipt/ labelling, request entry and other SRA duties when lone working or as directed by Senior BMSs/Pathology Leads. To raise service calls with TDL support services and external suppliers in cases of equipment or resource failure; liaise with internal and external support specialists to manage successful fault resolution. To be fully familiar with all laboratory IT systems, including appropriate utilisation in discharges of duties. To develop and maintain close working relationships with all grades of staff both scientific and medical to ensure the effective delivery of the laboratory service. To work independently and prioritise tasks for yourself such that contracted KPIs and service standards are met at all times. To troubleshoot and report performance, technical, quality and service failure issues to the Senior BMSs/Pathology Lead. To apply specialist and technical knowledge to advise laboratory staff on technical and trouble-shooting queries. To liaise with and support service users as required. To maintain quality standards in the laboratory through IQC review, EQA, incident reporting, auditing and change control.

To be familiar with the telephone system ( placing calls on hold/transferring calls) in order to receive incoming calls to the department and deal with them appropriately, through a broad knowledge of the companys operations.

Administrative

To order supplies and ensure adequate stocks are maintained, rotated and levels routinely reported on. Manage lot succession or batch control as required. Take an active role in the referral of samples to third party laboratories where required. To adhere to multidisciplinary and flexible working arrangements within the department. To review and update SOPs as directed by the Senior BMSs/Pathology Leads/ QMG/ QPulse workload. Management of incomplete lists for HJE Laboratory and other TDL sites as required. Engage in audits being performed within the laboratory.

Training and Education

1. Multidisciplinary Training as required

2. To maintain own personal development and attend departmental meetings as required.

3. To maintain registration with the HCPC, including a personal development portfolio as proof of competence to practice.

4. To take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.

5. To further develop junior colleagues by assisting in the training of SpRs, trainee HCS and MLA staff, and to undertake, complete, and sign off all competencies associated with these grades.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registration with HCPC as Biomedical Scientist IBMS Accredited BSc (hons) Biomedical Science or equivalent Participation in a relevant CPD Scheme IBMS

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Good organisational skills. Work accurately, neatly and efficiently. Attention to detail is very important. Work as part of a team. Keyboard skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite. . Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Work on own initiative Communicate efficiently with other members of the laboratory in English - both verbally and in writing. Use of laboratory equipment relevant to the specialty Demonstrate experience of working to a laboratory Quality Management System.

Experience

Essential

Theoretical and practical knowledge in discipline of pathology relevant to role. Previous experience in a relevant laboratory, and proficiency in techniques appropriate to the discipline

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