Job summary
Applications are invited from suitable applicants to join the team of Biomedical scientists (BMS) in the busy Department of Microbiology laboratory at Derriford Hospital. Applicants must be HCPC registered, have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or previous equivalent, and ideally have significant experience of working in a diagnostic NHS Microbiology laboratory.
The Department has over 60 staff and processes over 500,000 samples per year. It has full UKAS accreditation and is a recognised IBMS training laboratory. The successful applicant will rotate through the Bacteriology/Virology/Serology sections of the laboratory. They will be expected to examine a wide range of clinical samples from patients, in order to determine the laboratory diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of infection due to bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Staff are encouraged to further their own development and assist with CPD related activities. The laboratory is well equipped and is fully computerised.
This is a full time post Monday to Friday. There are early (08:00-16:30), core 09:00-17:30) and late shifts (14:00-22:00) in operation on a rotational basis. There is also a commitment to participate in a weekend rota, overnight rota (22:00-08:00) and on call once trained. All weekend work is paid at an enhanced rate.
For more information please contact Allan Speirs (Microbiology Laboratory Manager) a.speirs@nhs.net t: 01752 433216
Main duties of the job
- The examination of a wide range of clinical samples from patients, in order to determine the laboratory diagnosis, and the appropriate treatment, of infection due to bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Samples may additionally include environmental samples, food, water and other samples related to the potential for cause or spread of infection
- To undertake scientific duties in any section of the Department as required in order to facilitate the smooth running of the service.
- To operate, and perform basic maintenance on, specialist equipment up to a value of £1 million.
- To supervise, mentor and support Trainee Biomedical Scientists, support staff and any other new or trainee staff.
- To be able to satisfy occupational health requirements to participate in out of hours working.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To perform microbiological analysis of biological samples including blood, urine, faeces, cerebral spinal fluid and other clinical samples, taking personal responsibility for the quality of the results, which are used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious disease, and the detection and monitoring of hospital and community-based outbreaks of infection.
- Maintain a high standard of professional knowledge and competence in the performance of all tests and complex investigations carried out at bench level, and to take responsibility for all work being carried out on the allocated bench.
- To make diagnostic decisions of infection and treatment options, based on microscopic findings, the analysis of bacterial culture plates, and the subsequent assessment of bacterial susceptibility tests, which requires a high level of in-depth knowledge, experience, expertise and judgement.
- When working alone at night or at weekends, e.g. when on-call, to carry out essential investigations and make critical diagnostic decisions unsupervised, and with no on-site back-up or reference point.
- To work with the quality manager to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS ISO15189.
- To work, if required, with high-risk samples and cultures, at Containment Level 3, and to be aware when circumstances arise necessitating the move of normal laboratory investigations (Containment Level 2) to a higher containment level.
- To have sufficient knowledge, competence and experience to work on rotation in all bacteriology and serology sections of the laboratory as required, and to achieve the equivalent accuracy and turnaround times of other staff of the same grade.
- To participate in, understand, and take responsibility for, the quality assurance programs of the allocated bench, which will include both internal (IQA) and external schemes (NEQAS).
- To be prepared to train in the use of new and emerging techniques and procedures, eg. molecular microbiology.
- The post holder will demonstrate the high level of skill to perform complex manual, semi- automated and automated analytical techniques as applicable, meeting turnaround times with prompt reporting of results used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To perform microbiological analysis of biological samples including blood, urine, faeces, cerebral spinal fluid and other clinical samples, taking personal responsibility for the quality of the results, which are used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious disease, and the detection and monitoring of hospital and community-based outbreaks of infection.
- Maintain a high standard of professional knowledge and competence in the performance of all tests and complex investigations carried out at bench level, and to take responsibility for all work being carried out on the allocated bench.
- To make diagnostic decisions of infection and treatment options, based on microscopic findings, the analysis of bacterial culture plates, and the subsequent assessment of bacterial susceptibility tests, which requires a high level of in-depth knowledge, experience, expertise and judgement.
- When working alone at night or at weekends, e.g. when on-call, to carry out essential investigations and make critical diagnostic decisions unsupervised, and with no on-site back-up or reference point.
- To work with the quality manager to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS ISO15189.
- To work, if required, with high-risk samples and cultures, at Containment Level 3, and to be aware when circumstances arise necessitating the move of normal laboratory investigations (Containment Level 2) to a higher containment level.
- To have sufficient knowledge, competence and experience to work on rotation in all bacteriology and serology sections of the laboratory as required, and to achieve the equivalent accuracy and turnaround times of other staff of the same grade.
- To participate in, understand, and take responsibility for, the quality assurance programs of the allocated bench, which will include both internal (IQA) and external schemes (NEQAS).
- To be prepared to train in the use of new and emerging techniques and procedures, eg. molecular microbiology.
- The post holder will demonstrate the high level of skill to perform complex manual, semi- automated and automated analytical techniques as applicable, meeting turnaround times with prompt reporting of results used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and the Health Professions Council for registration
- State registration with Health Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable
- Member of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS)
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of infectious disease in all Sections within the Department of Microbiology
- To have sufficient proven knowledge, competence and demonstrable experience to work on rotation in all bacteriology and serology sections of the laboratory as required, and to achieve the equivalent accuracy and turnaround times of other staff of the same grade
- Post registration demonstrable experience in a Microbiology laboratory
- An understanding of the meaning of results to enable authorisation and appropriate action in dealing with abnormal or unusual results
- Successful completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio or preceding IBMS training 'logbook'
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience with specialist techniques within a section of the laboratory
- Participation in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme
Aptitude
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Multitasking skills
- Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team
Other factors
Essential
- If required to do so, to take part in the out of hours on-call rota, evenings, weekends and bank holidays
- Required to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to biological and chemical hazards and with the requirement to work with unpleasant bodily fluids, eg. urine, faeces, sputum etc.
- If required to do so, to work a 37 1/2 hr week that may include working a full day on Saturdays and/or Sundays and/or Bank Holidays.
- Ability to act as departmental audit officer
- Able to effectively prioritise urgent work in order of clinical importance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and the Health Professions Council for registration
- State registration with Health Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable
- Member of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS)
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of infectious disease in all Sections within the Department of Microbiology
- To have sufficient proven knowledge, competence and demonstrable experience to work on rotation in all bacteriology and serology sections of the laboratory as required, and to achieve the equivalent accuracy and turnaround times of other staff of the same grade
- Post registration demonstrable experience in a Microbiology laboratory
- An understanding of the meaning of results to enable authorisation and appropriate action in dealing with abnormal or unusual results
- Successful completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio or preceding IBMS training 'logbook'
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience with specialist techniques within a section of the laboratory
- Participation in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme
Aptitude
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Multitasking skills
- Ability to work as an individual or as part of a team
Other factors
Essential
- If required to do so, to take part in the out of hours on-call rota, evenings, weekends and bank holidays
- Required to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to biological and chemical hazards and with the requirement to work with unpleasant bodily fluids, eg. urine, faeces, sputum etc.
- If required to do so, to work a 37 1/2 hr week that may include working a full day on Saturdays and/or Sundays and/or Bank Holidays.
- Ability to act as departmental audit officer
- Able to effectively prioritise urgent work in order of clinical importance.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
