Senior Biomedical Scientist, Band 7- Microbiology

Job description

Job responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

- Postgraduate qualification in Medical Microbiology or Virology, equivalent to MSc level or FIBMS

- Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

- Substantial years experience of working as a Specialist BMS in Microbiology or Virology, including significant periods of working in a clinical virology department

- Specialist training, qualifications and experience in the relevant section(s)

- IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or Virology, or equivalent experience

Technical Roles

- To be able to work competently in the virology section, taking overall day-to-day responsibility for the service provided

- To maintain a high standard of professional competence and current knowledge of the relevant tests and service, maintaining evidence of continuing professional development

- To act as a source of specialist virology advice, providing advice to users and departmental staff where needed

- To communicate with users and external stakeholders when needed to ensure quality of service is maintained

- To use specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples

- To use specialist knowledge in the interpretation of test results and allocation of confirmation or identification tests

- To ensure all new equipment and tests are appropriately verified or validated before use on clinical samples

- To participate in the procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables relevant to the virology section

- To authorise results relevant to the virology section

- To ensure the safe handling and reception of samples (including those designated as high-risk)

- To ensure all work conforms to the procedures set out in laboratory polices and SOPs

- To ensure all work conforms to the standards required by ISO15189 accreditation

- To prioritise work, taking into account workload and stated urgency of requests

- To be able to use and troubleshoot the equipment used in the section, including providing training on its use

- To ensure clinically significant results are notified to the user or Consultant Microbiologist as appropriate, including the telephoning of urgent results directly to users

- To notify users of potential delays in reporting results that may impact on patient treatment

- To report issues relating to the laboratory environment or building fabric directly to Estates or to the Laboratory Manager, as appropriate

- To ensure all quality control tests are performed as required, and to prevent results being reported if QC results indicate a potential performance problem with a test.

- To ensure all EQA samples are processed and reported according to laboratory protocols

- To compile and communicate a monthly EQA summary report for the section

- To ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are used efficiently and without unnecessary wastage.

- To liaise with technical and sales staff of relevant suppliers

- To undertake or participate in research activities relating to the section

Supervisory Duties

- To ensure all safety procedures are followed within the laboratory

- To be responsible for staff and work allocation within the section

- To approve annual leave requests for staff

- To investigate Datix / NCR incidents

- To record sickness absence and conduct return-to-work interviews

- To undertake induction for new staff

- To undertake initial discussions with staff regarding poor or below-standard performance in the relevant section(s), referring to the Laboratory Manager where required

- To liaise with other senior staff to ensure all sections in the laboratory are adequately covered

- To undertake staff appraisals and produce personal development plans for assigned staff

- To participate in the recruitment, selection and training of new staff

- To be a member of the Senior Staff Management committee and relevant SOP groups

- To deputise for the Lab Manager or Deputy Lab Manager, as required

- To represent the department in external meetings or conferences as required

- To ensure all relevant SOPs, work instructions and bench guides are managed in accordance with the document control policy

- To complete risk assessments and COSHH assessments for the virology section

- To participate in the departmental audit programme, undertaking audits as required

- To collate epidemiology data and produce reports, where required

- To participate in the selection and approval of reference laboratories

- To participate in the departmental competency programme, undertaking competency assessments for the section

Person Specification

Qualifications / Experience

Essential

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science (or equivalent qualification)
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (Biomedical Scientist)
• Postgraduate qualification equivalent to MSc or FIBMS
• Previous substantial experience of working in a UK diagnostic microbiology laboratory at Specialist BMS level
• Proven bench skills and demonstrable knowledge of current developments within microbiology
• Knowledge and experience of ISO15189 quality standards and accreditation process
• Demonstrate a commitment to service improvement and innovative practice
• Experience of supervising a bench / section in the laboratory
• Demonstrate good communication skills

Desirable

• Experience of managing change projects in a clinical laboratory
• Experience of working in a molecular microbiology laboratory

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.

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

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL1 3NN

Employer's website

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