Biomedical Scientist- Microbiology

Job summary Expected Shortlisting Date 27/11/2024 Planned Interview Date 06/12/2024 An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Microbiology Department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals for a Band 5 Registered Biomedical Scientist to join our friendly team.
We will soon embark on an exciting journey to the Centre for Laboratory Medicine laboratory, a brand new, £30m, purpose built laboratory facility.
This role offers a multitude of opportunities to work within a forward thinking, innovative department, using some of the latest equipment and automation within the field.
The laboratory is IBMS accredited for training and supports staff to complete the IBMS Specialist Portfolio.
The post is currently based at Leeds General Infirmary, relocating to St James University Hospital when microbiology services transfer in 2025.
You will be fundamental in helping to develop a collaborative microbiology service working alongside other trusts in West Yorkshire to help deliver the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYATT) partnership.
The post is advertised as a full time position working within the serology and molecular sections of microbiology, full training will be provided.
Applicants will be HCPC registered or have completed an IBMS registration portfolio and awaiting HCPC registration.
Experience within a Microbiology laboratory would be beneficial.
Main duties of the job The successful candidate will be a member of the departmental team carrying out the examination of samples to aid in the diagnosis of infection.
On a daily basis you will be allocated to a laboratory section where you will work with other scientists and support staff to process samples and report results, that are then authorised by the medical team.
You will be trained to analyse, interpret and report results and will make professional judgements where further work is necessary.
After training you will also participate in out of hours rota's including extended working days, weekends and overnight services to support patient care.
We provide a full 24/7 laboratory service supported by a shift system (agenda for change T&Cs).
You will be pro-active in your own development and that of the service.
Our charity partner organisation Leeds Cares provides funding for all staff and contributes to training and development including further IBMS & professional qualifications About us The department is currently located within the Old Medical School at Leeds General Infirmary processing in excess of one million samples per annum.
The department uses a number of technologies to deliver the service including platforms such as Siemens Centaur, Abbott Alinity-M, Diasorin Liaison, Hologic Panther fusion, Qiagen NeuMoDx, alongside manual molecular and serological methods.
Equipment will be refreshed in the new laboratory with the addition of semi-automated molecular technology such as Serosep and Elitech platforms.
The successful candidate will be working in a busy laboratory; delivering services to one of the UKs largest teaching hospitals leading to a diverse workload.
The service is accredited to UKAS ISO department is also the lead laboratory for Public Health England in the Yorkshire and Humber region and plays important role in delivering Microbiology & Virology services to support this function.
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 As a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with LTHT Pathology objectives.
To provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession The post holders main role is to carry out the examination of pathological samples using various technologies and to report or present the results as appropriate.
Working in different sections of the department you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients.
You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team.
You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organisations.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical/ Scientific/ Technical Carry out appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the post levels of knowledge, skills and experience.
These tasks may vary from day to day but examples would include: o Carry out serological analysis and interpretation of results with appropriate escalation as required o Maintaining appropriate records and documentation o Perform molecular test setup, result analysis and interpretation of results with appropriate escalation as required o Basic disease recognition o Specialist reagent set up o Dealing with unauthorised telephone results enquires Participate in the departments rosters as required Work flexibly and undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as agreed with line manager 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.
Technical validation and designated clinical authorisation of results as determined by specialist area Communication of complex, technical information to users of the service Use of LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information.
Participate and ensure the operation and routine maintenance of equipment.
The post holder will be expected to second line trouble shoot in response to operational issues Leadership/ Management Support and inspire staff to provide efficient , effective, safe, quality care to patients Provide day to day supervision and co-ordination of staff.
Responsible for professional/clinical supervision of qualified staff or students Deputise for the Specialist BMS Help to ensure the effective deployment of staff is mapped against the flow of work to provide safe and effective service delivery Promote the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams Ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements including patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
Anticipate problems and take preventative or mitigating actions, or have contingency plans available Help manage the use of agency staff in the team Supports effective and efficient management of section, including optimisation of workflow.
Supports waste reduction incentives for designated area Supports collaborative team working across all sections Quality/ Training Support and participate in level 1 incident investigations.
Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
Maintain standards of laboratory policies and procedures to ensure that the department meets National External Quality Assurance (EQA) and Accreditation standards.
Undertake quality control procedures, examine quality control results to identify poor performance and instigate appropriate action.
Support and participate with the production, maintenance and implementation of risk assessments.
Participate in audits and clinical governance Assist the department with the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
Keep up to date with and communicate service developments, advances and research.
Participate in and contribute to own Personal Development Review.
Ensure that safe working practices are followed in accordance with departmental Safety Policy.
Be aware of and adhere to Trusts policies, including those relating to discipline, grievance, sickness, absence and health & safety To be a training lead ambassador Promote a learning and development culture to the improve staff skills, knowledge and competence Delivers training and competency assessment for staff within own area Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and participate in the departments training plan To maintain registered status as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Maintain a safe working environment Other The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service.
This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.
The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.
This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments Person Specification Skills & behaviours Essential Excellent communication skills Independent Problem solving/ troubleshooting skills.
- provide specific examples Desirable Teaching and training skills Qualifications Essential IBMS approved Degree HCPC registered - please include date of completion HCPC registration - include registration number and date first registered Desirable Already working towards an IBMS Specialist Portfolio.
Experience Essential Experience of working within a microbiology laboratory Good working knowledge of pathology and disease processes.
Desirable Experience working within a serology laboratory Experience working within a molecular laboratory Proven ability to work unsupervised on-call or shift.