Advanced Biomedical Scientist

Job summary

The Cellular Pathology department receives, examines and reports upon a wide range of diagnostic tissue samples, these vary widely in terms of size and complexity. The appropriate examination, sampling and analysis is essential to accurate and timely diagnosis, particularly as many of these will be cancer cases. Due to the complex nature of this task an advanced understanding of anatomy, physiology pathology and specialised histology techniques is necessary

The post holder will understand the distinction between normal variation in tissue and pathological disease which is essential so that incidental or unexpected findings of disease can be correctly identified and sampled.

The post holder will hold and maintain professional registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS).

The post holder will exercise autonomy within professional and managerial boundaries and will be required to verify and validate completed work in their assigned subsection.

It is essential the post holder demonstrates and maintains continuing competence which will be overseen by the Operational Manager and Consultant Histopathologists.

The post holder will also be expected maintain an efficient workflow through effective prioritisation and use of organisation skills and problem solving.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is expected to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff members characterised by the trust mutual respect, and open, honest communication.

The post holder will liaise with clinical staff, scientific staff, non-pathology staff, medical, non-medical and other hospital support staff, GPs, company representatives, regulatory bodies (UKAS) and professional bodies.

The post holder will supervise and participate in work of the assigned subsection, and to be accountable for own professional actions.

The post holder will provide scientific and technical cover in all sections of the laboratory as required.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder is required to: -

Communicate in a manner that is consistent with legislation policies and procedures. Communicate effectively with all members of the Pathology staff, clinicians, and visitors to the department. Improve communication using communication skills and be aware of possible barriers to communication and how to overcome them. Deal sensitively with patient/ clinician enquiries in stressful situations.

Ensure confidentiality of all written verbal and electronic information. Keep accurate and complete records in line with legislation, policies, and procedures. Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients, and the public, referring on appropriate specialist request for information outside their area of responsibility. Where required prepare and present information on equipment, processes, scientific and technical topics.

Attend and participate in departmental meetings and presentations. Effectively communicate outcomes and content of relevant meetings to team members.

Share information and best practice to improve levels of service provided by Pathology.

Maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology, laboratory medicine and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.

Take responsibility for own personal development and take an active part in learning opportunities. A portfolio must be maintained to demonstrate

How the post holder is applying skills and knowledge in relation to their KSF outline To record that the post holder is keeping up to date with current scientific and technical developments including participation in scientific meetings as appropriate. How the post holder is participating in postgraduate continuing professional development to comply with the requirements of the Healthcare Professions Council

Supervise the training and development of Junior Medical Staff, Biomedical Support workers, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists (all levels) and Associate Practitioners in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.

Attend an annual personal development review with their manager. Attend all mandatory and role specific training.

Comply with the policies and procedures of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and the departments Quality Management System. Observe and adhere to local and national risk management and Health and safety policies.

Identify and assess potential risks in the workplace and report these risks to the appropriate manager. Support other team members in maintaining health, safety, and security, through positive action and leading by example. Handle safely potentially infectious blood, and hazardous chemicals daily. Identify and communicate any areas in which Health and Safety improvements could be made. Promote good laboratory practises and ensure the workbenches and areas are kept clean and tidy. Report all Health, Safety and Security incidents promptly to the appropriate persons.

Maintaining a flexible approach to the post to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns, and requirements. Support other members of the team in implementing change. Participate in service evaluation. Participate in the introduction of new techniques and equipment into the department. Contribute to the evaluation proposals for service by keeping up to date with technical developments through liaison with company representatives and reading technical journals.

Act on audit findings to improve the service in the identified areas. Comply with good work practices in accordance with the standards of the departments Quality Management System, UKAS and any other accreditation, regulatory and legislative bodies.

Store and use reagents according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures.

Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures. Recognise when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods and inform appropriate senior Biomedical Scientist staff.

Initiate, perform, and interpret the results of audits within the Laboratory.

Be able to impart the importance and effectiveness of good quality control to others. Recognise and then take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.

Deal effectively and professionally with queries or complaints relating to quality issues.

Manage the preparation and review of laboratory policies and procedures (SOPs) following national and local quality system guidelines.

Ensure that all results including EQA are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example the re-deployment of resources within the section in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.

Maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Northampton General Hospital.

Act in accordance with legislation policies and procedures.

Maintain good work relations with all staff members. Treat every member of staff, users of the service and the public with dignity courtesy and respect. Identify and action, when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.

Participate in a 24-hour 365-day shift service when required.

Arrange and supervise emergency call outs and preventative maintenance visits by technical staff from 3rd party suppliers.

Participate in clinical trials when required.

Develop work plans and allocate work in a way which: -

Is consistent with the teams objectives. Is realistic and achievable. Takes full account of team members abilities and development needs.

Take part in the annual appraisal and personal development review of staff.

Objectively assess the work of the team and provide clear constructive feedback to the team in a manner most likely to maintain and improve performance. Empower those with the correct level of competence to carry out duties as part of a team or alone that are commensurate with their abilities and training. Agree with team members courses of action to address issues with their work.

Contribute to the recruitment and selection of team members when required to meet organisational needs consistent with legislation, policies, and procedures.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

Oral and written communication skills. Ability to transmit information to other healthcare professionals. Effective interpersonal skills. Analytical skills. Able to perform a wide range of complex analytical techniques. Maintenance and troubleshooting on analytical equipment and assay issues. Perform and review QA, including reports and interpret within scope of practice. Planning and organisational skills. Prioritise own workload that will include several ongoing tasks. Supervise and organise a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers.

Desirable

Basic IT skills to include use of Microsoft Office package. Experience of current Laboratory IT system.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Minimum of 5 years working experience in a hospital laboratory to include operation and maintenance of analytical equipment and quality indices. Experience of co-ordinating day to day laboratory activities. Experience of current platforms in use. Technical understanding of analytical platforms for routine patient sample testing and clinical understanding of data produced by such testing. Experience of IQC/EQA and its use. Experience of other quality activities such as auditing and change control.

Desirable

Experience of working in a UKAS 15189 accredited laboratory. Experience of maintaining BSQR 2005 compliance by the MHRA. Experience of portfolio supervision. Experience of resource management - staff, reagents, and consumables.

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

MSc or working towards an MSc qualification or experience of working in a Band 7 capacity. HCPC registration. IBMS Specialist Portfolio. Active CPD portfolio and plan. BBTS Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice.

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Team worker.

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