Specialist Biomedical Scientist or Annex 21- Blood Bank

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date

28/11/2024

Planned Interview Date

05/12/2024

This an exciting opportunity in the Department of Blood Transfusion is seeking to recruit a full time Specialist Biomedical Scientist to work as part of a team covering both of our transfusion laboratories at Leeds General Infirmary and St Jamess. We will consider applications for part time posts at a minimum of ideally , we will consider application for suitable experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientist Band 6 Annex 21 (Trainee).

As a Transfusion service we cover the transfusion requirements for four hospitals and two hospices. We oversee the transfusion of 41,500 units of blood, plasma, and platelets every year. We are a team of Support Workers, Biomedical Scientists, Hospital Transfusion Team, and Consultants working to deliver a Blood Transfusion service which is one of the most complex and busiest services in England.

We have recently implemented the WinPath Enterprise LIMs and ICE requesting. We are in the process of refreshing our analysers (2x Erytra at both sites) which will include Grifols Blood Typing Manager software. We use the Haemonetics Blood Track software and for our QMS we use QPulse. We have several exciting developments over the next couple of years including an Acute Laboratory at LGI site with Biochemistry and Haematology, extending the use of Blood Track to include Tx Training Manager, Tx Bedside and Haemobanks.

Main duties of the job

Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures using appropriate laboratory and Trust policies.

Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service or providing urgent results. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service, in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality.

About us

Based on feedback from our staff and to improve work life balance we are introducing a new shift system to cover the 24/7 requirements of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. This is based on 12-hour shifts at its core, reducing the number of days worked and increasing free time. You will during your training period work 12-hour shifts partnered with another BMS. Once your training and competencies are completed you will move to lone working 12-hour shifts.

As a service we actively support staff in their personal and professional development through a range of training opportunities offered jointly by Organisational Development and Leeds Health and Care Academy. We are also currently supporting staff with registration portfolio, specialist portfolio, IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice and IBMS Higher Scientific Diploma.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Department of Blood Transfusion is seeking to recruit a full time Specialist Biomedical Scientist Band 6 with option for Specialist Biomedical Scientist Annex 21 (Trainee) to work as part of a team covering both of our transfusion laboratories at Leeds General Infirmary and St will consider applications for part time posts at a minimum of ideally

The Department of Blood Transfusion is seeking to recruit a full time Specialist Biomedical Scientist Band 6 with option for Specialist Biomedical Scientist Annex 21 (Trainee) to work as part of a team covering both of our transfusion laboratories at Leeds General Infirmary and St James.

In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge in all aspects of the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study through the IBMS specialist portfolio programme and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills and use of various laboratory.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. Under direction of the team lead co-ordinates effective workflow management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area.

To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy

Leadership and Management

To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme. The post holder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers.

Quality / Training

To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records. Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times.

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings.

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes supporting section lead in the monitoring and performance of IQC and EQA.

Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area.

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care. Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting. To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council.

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

HEALTH AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

As the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

Working Conditions:

The post holder will work generally in a laboratory environment and may be required to sit or stand

As a Transfusion service we cover the transfusion requirements for four hospitals and two hospices. We oversee the transfusion of 41,500 units of blood, plasma, and platelets every year. We are a team of Support Workers, Biomedical Scientists, Hospital Transfusion Team, and Consultants working to deliver a Blood Transfusion service which is one of the most complex and busiest services in England.

We have recently implemented the WinPath Enterprise LIMs and ICE requesting. We are in the process of refreshing our analysers (2x Erytra at both sites) which will include Grifols Blood Typing Manager software. We use the Haemonetics Blood Track software and for our QMS we use QPulse. We have several exciting developments over the next couple of years including an Acute Laboratory at LGI site with Biochemistry and Haematology, extending the use of Blood Track to include Tx Training Manager, Tx Bedside and Haemobanks. Within the service we are looking to develop Band 3 and Band 4 roles to release BMS staff capacity to do the more complex activity suited to your skills, knowledge and understanding. As a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist you will have the opportunity to actively participate in these developments.

Based on feedback from our staff and to improve work life balance we are introducing a new shift system to cover the 24/7 requirements of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. This is based on 12-hour shifts at its core, reducing the number of days worked and increasing free time. You will during your training period work 12-hour shifts partnered with another BMS. Once your training and competencies are completed you will move to lone working 12-hour shifts.

As a service we actively support staff in their personal and professional development through a range of training opportunities offered jointly by Organisational Development and Leeds Health and Care Academy. We are also currently supporting staff with registration portfolio, specialist portfolio, IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice and IBMS Higher Scientific Diploma.

A little about you

You will have robust experience of working in an NHS transfusion service or equivalent as a B5 BMS. It would be desirable if this involved 24/7 working, and in a Haematology Transfusion environment.

You will either have successfully completed a specialist portfolio, be undertaking a specialist portfolio or be willing to undertake a specialist portfolio. We will consider suitable alternatives including BBTS Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice.

You will have a desire to develop professionally and extend your transfusion skills, knowledge and understanding to a high level. You will be a team player who can work on their own initiative and manage their own workload. You will be able to respond to situations that interrupt your planned workload and to manage these urgent demands whilst balancing them with planned workload. You will be committed to quality/compliance as an integral part of your role and will be expected to undertake a range of duties in support of the QMS.

We would encourage you to attend one of our two sites for an informal look round but understand that is not always practicable. We will offer MS Teams meetings should you wish to have an informal discussion.

If you are successful at interview but don't have a specialist portfolio or equivalent, you will be appointed to a B6 annex 21 training contract (1 or 2 years) with automatic progression to Band 6.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

Excellent communication skills, oral and written. Able to work in a team. Able to work independently. Basic knowledge and computer literacy Knowledge of conventional IT software Microsoft

Desirable

Good concentration, Manual Dexterity, Good hand/eye coordination, Attention to detail and Basic computer skills

Experience

Essential

Post registration experience within the speciality

Desirable

Excellent communication skills, oral and written. Able to work in a team. Able to work independently. Basic knowledge and computer literacy Knowledge of conventional IT software Microsoft

Qualifications

Essential

Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration. Registered biomedical scientist. Specialist portfolio (2006 registration onwards) (or equivalent) Competence in a wide range of comp

Desirable

Must have Specialist portfolio or BBTS

Additional Requirements

Essential

Physically able to move around and between sites

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