Job summary
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic, forward thinking, Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Department of Microbiology. HCPC registration and specialist qualifications are essential.
Our modern and well-equipped department processes approximately 500,000 specimens per annum providing a comprehensive clinical microbiology service. The department performs tests on several different platforms, such as BACTEC FX, BD MAX, Phoenix, BD MGIT, Bruker MALDI-TOF, COBAS U701, Uri-MAST, COBAS 6800, VERIGENE Nanosphere, ARIES, and HOLOGIC Panther.
Main duties of the job
The ideal candidate must have a wide experience of all aspects of general microbiology diagnostic testing and have excellent interpersonal skills.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and the desire to provide a service of the highest quality.
The candidate will have had previous experience working in a clinical laboratory and will have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology, be a team player and have an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of general microbiology diagnostic testing including microscopy, plate reading, antibiotic susceptibility testing, CL3 work, molecular microbiology, mycology, and serology.
The successful applicant will support teaching and development of all staff groups in the department, as well as participate in all aspects of quality management to assist UKAS accreditation. You will need to demonstrate the ability to lead and supervise teams and the daily responsibilities associated with staffing, workflow, and problem solving.
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.
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 backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be a part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.
The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies.
The post holder will act as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) with a high degree of specialist Microbiology knowledge, skills and demonstrated comprehensive scientific and diagnostic competence throughout all sections of the Department.
The post holder will participate in all quality activities and be expected to attend departmental meetings on a regular basis.
The post holder will be required to train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies.
The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities to comply with national UKAS standards.
The post holder will be required to lead new processes through the change control.
The post holder will be required to deputise for senior BMS.
The post holder will be required to carry out complex trouble shooting of equipment and results.
The post holder will be required to manage staff rosters.
The post holder will be required to mentor/supervise staff undertaking their IBMS specialist portfolio.
The post holder will be required to investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process.
The work includes weekend, bank holiday, evening and on-call duties, which requires a flexible approach to the hours of employment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be a part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.
The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies.
The post holder will act as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) with a high degree of specialist Microbiology knowledge, skills and demonstrated comprehensive scientific and diagnostic competence throughout all sections of the Department.
The post holder will participate in all quality activities and be expected to attend departmental meetings on a regular basis.
The post holder will be required to train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies.
The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities to comply with national UKAS standards.
The post holder will be required to lead new processes through the change control.
The post holder will be required to deputise for senior BMS.
The post holder will be required to carry out complex trouble shooting of equipment and results.
The post holder will be required to manage staff rosters.
The post holder will be required to mentor/supervise staff undertaking their IBMS specialist portfolio.
The post holder will be required to investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process.
The work includes weekend, bank holiday, evening and on-call duties, which requires a flexible approach to the hours of employment.
Person Specification
Education & Training
Essential
- HCPC registration
- IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent
- IBMS Specialist portfolio
Desirable
- MSc Biomedical Science/Microbiology.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Working experience in the relevant Pathology discipline
- Working on analytical platforms
- Understanding of quality indices
Desirable
- Experience of listed current platforms in use
- Experience of portfolio supervision
- Experience of co-ordinating day to day laboratory activities
Key Competencies
Essential
- Personal Qualities Team worker, Supervisor, Lone worker, Confident, Takes responsibility for own development positive attitude, Flexible, Adaptable to change, Attention to detail and Problem solving
- Physical Effort Some physical effort required. Moving reagents and inputting data
- Mental effort Able to multitask, Able to manage an unpredictable workload with changing priorities,. Need to be able to concentrate for considerable periods when performing tests or validating test results
- Emotional effort Indirect exposure to emotional situations, Could be exposed to stress situations particularly when working alone.
- Working conditions On a daily basis need to be able deal with biological fluids and human tissues Handle chemicals.
- Required to work out-of-hours as part of 24/7 service provision
Skills
Essential
- Oral & written communication skills: Ability to transmit information to other healthcare professionals. Effective interpersonal skills.
- Analytical skills : Able to perform complex analytical techniques. Maintenance and troubleshooting on analytical equipment. Perform and review QA, including reports and interpret within scope of practice
- Planning & organisational skills : Prioritise own workload that will include a number of ongoing tasks. Work without supervision and organise the workload of others
- IT Skills :Basic IT skills to include use of Microsoft Office package
- Experience of current Laboratory IT system
Desirable
- Experience of current Laboratory IT system
Person Specification
Education & Training
Essential
- HCPC registration
- IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent
- IBMS Specialist portfolio
Desirable
- MSc Biomedical Science/Microbiology.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Working experience in the relevant Pathology discipline
- Working on analytical platforms
- Understanding of quality indices
Desirable
- Experience of listed current platforms in use
- Experience of portfolio supervision
- Experience of co-ordinating day to day laboratory activities
Key Competencies
Essential
- Personal Qualities Team worker, Supervisor, Lone worker, Confident, Takes responsibility for own development positive attitude, Flexible, Adaptable to change, Attention to detail and Problem solving
- Physical Effort Some physical effort required. Moving reagents and inputting data
- Mental effort Able to multitask, Able to manage an unpredictable workload with changing priorities,. Need to be able to concentrate for considerable periods when performing tests or validating test results
- Emotional effort Indirect exposure to emotional situations, Could be exposed to stress situations particularly when working alone.
- Working conditions On a daily basis need to be able deal with biological fluids and human tissues Handle chemicals.
- Required to work out-of-hours as part of 24/7 service provision
Skills
Essential
- Oral & written communication skills: Ability to transmit information to other healthcare professionals. Effective interpersonal skills.
- Analytical skills : Able to perform complex analytical techniques. Maintenance and troubleshooting on analytical equipment. Perform and review QA, including reports and interpret within scope of practice
- Planning & organisational skills : Prioritise own workload that will include a number of ongoing tasks. Work without supervision and organise the workload of others
- IT Skills :Basic IT skills to include use of Microsoft Office package
- Experience of current Laboratory IT system
Desirable
- Experience of current Laboratory IT system
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).
