Biomedical Support Worker

Job summary

Joinus to make a meaningful difference to patients lives.

Ifyour passion is science and you want to be at the forefront of improvingoutcomes for patients, then theres no better place to be.

The successful candidate will need to work in afast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and to tight deadlines.Previous laboratory experience, attention to detail, organisational qualities,personal flexibility and excellent communication skills will be required.

Main duties of the job

Weare currently recruiting for dedicated individuals to join our growing team inthe

genomicscentral laboratory at St Jamess University Hospital, as Higher levelBiomedical Support Workers.

Workingclosely with colleagues at Leeds and across the wider North East and Yorkshire

(NEY)region, youll be responsible for the:

Receipt and processing of a widerange of specimens using good laboratory practice.

Following standard operatingprocedures to set up routine and complex laboratory investigations, includingPCR, cell culture, FISH, Sanger sequencing and DNA fragment analysis.

Routine maintenance of equipment,laboratory housekeeping and quality assurance.

Communicatingeffectively with colleagues and contributing to the safe and effective runningof the laboratory.

About us

Inresponse to NHS Englands recent Strategy and Service Specification for thefuture of Genomics services in England, Newcastle Teaching Hospitals, LeedsTeaching Hospitals, Sheffield Childrens Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitalshave formed the North East and Yorkshire Genomics Laboratory Hub; an excitingcollaboration to provide services for Genomics across Yorkshire and Humber andthe North. The combined size of our geography makes this the largestcollaboration in the country with the Trusts offering a range of both generaland specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients.We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, researchand academic training.

Thispost provides the opportunity to join a collaboration at the forefront oftransforming and shaping genomics services for the future. If you like what youhave read and would like to join us on our exciting journey

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOBPURPOSE

Tobe responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical SupportWorkers within the section

Tocollect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimensfor testing

Toundertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations, followingstandard operating procedures, some of which may be under supervision

Tocommunicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff

JOBDIMENSIONS

Asa Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of thedepartmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a rangeof routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under thesupervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff. You will gainthe knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of anaccurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to applyprofessional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex andsometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, eitherindependently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required toorganise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate information,often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staffand other organisations

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Inorder to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will havesuccessfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or otherequivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further yourknowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, inhouse training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuousprofessional development (CPD). Inaddition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.

THELEEDS WAY VALUES

Ourvalues are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this asa strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staffand set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

Allour actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

COREBEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Inorder to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able todemonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:

- To gain new knowledge throughexperience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes

- To become an integral member of ateam providing a clinical technical service

- To work independently when and asdirected by supervisors

- To communicate clearly andeffectively whether orally, graphically or electronically

- To plan the designated workload andassist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers

- To work with precision and followaccurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

- To operate highly complex laboratoryequipment safely and efficiently

- To input and extract patient datafrom the laboratory computer system

- To demonstrate relevant tasks toothers as appropriate

- To contribute actively towards theimprovement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions withother team members

- To remain competent in establishedprocedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.

- To participate actively in thedepartmental appraisal scheme

- To take account of changes in servicedelivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

COREKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Asthe job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

- Carry out a range of basic and morecomplex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe andeffective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand theneed to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.

- Participate actively in departmentalinternal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge andunderstanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality havenot been met.

- Participate in the maintenance of asafe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazardsassociated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitableactions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazardsinclude fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and uncontrolledexposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

- Maintain patient confidentiality. Youwill recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information thatis related to patient care.

- Observe the requirements ofdepartmental policies relating to service provision, for example samplelabelling and adverse event reporting.

PRINCIPALDUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

- To perform, sometimes undersupervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that areconsistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.

- To develop your competences in thedepartment and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmentalstandard operating procedures.

- To participate in departmentalresearch and development projects, audit processes and support appropriateclinical trials involving the laboratory

- To enter, manage and retrieve patientinformation using the laboratory computer system.

- To communicate accurately sensitiveand complex information to users of the service in a manner that is inaccordance with departmental procedures

- To demonstrate relevant job relatedtasks to new or more junior staff

- To actively participate in thelaboratory quality assurance programme

- To contribute to general departmentalmanagement, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control ofconsumables

Thislist is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to timemay require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These willbe fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.

ThePathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located onseveral sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to workin a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the LaboratoryManager.

Inaddition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies andprocedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager during yourperiod of induction and further information is available from the Trustsintranet site.

Healthand Safety/Risk Management

Allstaff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improvethe quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with theLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safetypolicies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, andreporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

InfectionControl

Thejobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustInfection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal InfectionControl Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contactwith patients and their environment.

Equalityand Diversity

Thejobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensureequality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet theindividual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient orvisitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender,ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Patientand Public Involvement

TheTrust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating andplanning services. All staff have aresponsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to serviceimprovements based on patient feedback.

Trainingand Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

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

Respectfor Patient Confidentiality

Thejobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulgepatient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

COMMUNICATION& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Asthe job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with adiverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples:

Internal

- Junior staff, colleagues, supervisorsand managers within the speciality

- Pathology staff working in otherspecialities

- Members of clinical teams includingnurses, doctors and other practitioners

- Administrative and secretarial staff

External

- Staff in primary care facilities

- Staff in other hospitals

- Staff in non NHS organizations (forexample suppliers of consumables)

SPECIALWORKING CONDITIONS

Asthe job holder you will be required to work in a clinical laboratoryenvironment. As such you will work under controlled conditions where chemicaland bio-hazardous materials are handled. For your own safety you will berequired to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and for this youwill receive training.

Frequent periods of light and occasional periods ofmoderate physical activity related to the functions of the laboratory may beexpected.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A level /NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent)

Desirable

A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects

Experience

Essential

Previous experience of working in a laboratory Knowledge of conventional IT software Microsoft Office

Desirable

Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures Participation in relevant CPD schemes

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

Able to work in a team Able to work independently Flexible approach to work Good communicator and friendly attitude

Other Criteria

Desirable

Dexterity Good hand / eye coordination Basic computer skills

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