Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Cellular Pathology (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Although based at St James University Hospital you may be required to rotate to other sites and sections within LTHT, and once competent you will be required to take part in the departmental on call rota.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical/ Scientific /Technical

Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures using appropriate laboratory and Trust policies.

Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service or providing urgent results. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

Under direction of the team lead co-ordinates effective workflow management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area

Development and validation of in house quality control material and reagents in conjunction with section leadership.

To participate in equipment testing, validation and adaptation as a function of service development

To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

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

Leadership and Management

To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme.

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers

To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate and complete relevant training and competency paperwork

To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

Actively supports and encourages individual and team development

To deputise for more senior staff where appropriate

Leads waste reduction incentives for designated area

Contributes to management reports

Supports collaborative team working across all sections.

Quality / Training

To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records

Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes supporting section lead in the monitoring and performance of IQC and EQA.

Support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

Contributes to audit completion in specialist area

Contributes to H&S compliance and audits in specialist area

Contributes to QMS compliance/alignment in specialist area

Conducts incident investigations and risk management including Datix

Monitoring of results to identify any unexpected trends in assay performance

Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area

Leads continuous service improvement in specialist area

Leads service continuity plans for specialist area

Leads implementation of corrective actions from audits

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Other

To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes including CPD.

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.

Any other duties commensurate with grade following discussion with line manager

This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort:

Many tasks involve the job holder standing at equipment or sitting at the laboratory bench for extended periods.

This job may include movement of goods of light and moderate loads up to 15kg. There is the occasional requirement to move loads of 20kg with the aid of a trolley.

It is anticipated there will be the occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods in a shift.

Mental Effort:

The day to day repertoire of this job is diverse and the job holder can expect to be asked by supervisory staff to change tasks at short notice. In order to minimise errors concentration is required on a daily basis when processing specimens. Occasionally this may require prolonged concentration and is subject to workload.

The job holder is expected to operate complex laboratory equipment. This task requires concentration so that personal safety is maintained, and equipment is not damaged.

There is no requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle

Emotional Effort:

In normal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder and exposure to emotional circumstances is limited. However, subject to the requirements of the speciality some patient contact may occur such as in the collection of capillary blood samples from children.

Occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances when carrying out appraisal/investigations/disciplinary/attendance management duties

Working Conditions:

The post holder will work generally in a laboratory environment and may be required to sit or stand at the bench for prolonged periods. It is expected that the role will involve light to moderate physical effort. The post holder will be exposed to potentially infectious pathological samples on a daily basis with occasional exposure to other risks e.g. chemical encountered in the laboratory.

Exposure to physical aggressive behaviour is rare. Occasional exposure to verbal aggression occurs during telephone communication with service users

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of post HCPC registration experience in Cellular Pathology
• Evidence of participation in relevant CPD schemes

Desirable

• Evidence of line management experience
• Evidence of leadership skills

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration
• HCPC Registered Biomedical scientist.
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology (2006 registration onwards)

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Evidence of the ability to work independently and manage large workloads effectively to ensure tasks are completed within required timeframes
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, oral and written.
• Evidence of a knowledge of and utilising conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
• Evidence of independent Problem solving/ troubleshooting skills
• Evidence of good concentration, manual dexterity, attention to detail

Desirable

• Evidence of teaching, training and mentorship skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)