County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Practitioner Biochemistry

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a full time permanent Specialist BMS in Haematology and Blood Transfusion at CDDFT in our very busy Department of Blood Sciences which processes 1500-2000 samples per site each day.

Nominal Base will be Darlington Memorial Hospital but you will be expected to travel to and work at the other sites within the Trust if required.

We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our friendly, dedicated team of professionals. You should be able to demonstrate a broad experience in Haematology and Blood Transfusion at both a technical and theoretical level. Any specialist knowledge and experience in Haematology microscopy, Coagulation, Haemoglobinopathy screening or serology would be an advantage.

You will be a proactive member of the Blood Sciences Team, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential as is the ability to work within a team processing a high workload of specimens. You should have great multi-tasking ability, have excellent organisational skills and attention to detail and be able to appropriately prioritise urgent work.

Main duties of the job

Main tasks include:

Maintaining and running automated analysers in accordance with laboratory protocols, performing QC. Investigating and troubleshooting QC failures and spurious test results.

Performing manual tests and staining and recording the results

Booking patient samples on to the Laboratory Computer System and ensuring the correct test requests are inputted. Centrifuging samples.

Authorising results and forwarding abnormals to Consultant Haematologists as required

Examining blood smears under the microscope and performing manual differential counts as needed

Managing pending test lists, prioritising urgent work to meet turnaround times

Performing blood groups and identifying antibodies, crossmatching Blood and products for patients, managing blood stocks

Answering telephone queries and liaising with other Trust staff and the general public.

Stock control including ordering, receiving and receipting deliveries, documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing verification tasks

Assist in the training and competency assessment of new Band 4 and Band 5 staff and ward staff

Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for full details.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Details

Date posted

11 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-24-0395

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Blood Sciences Department is UKAS accredited and part of your role will be to complete all required quality documentation including training, competency and CPD.

You must be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, have an IBMS accredited BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and hold an IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology and Blood Transfusion or have significant relevant experience.

Candidates working towards the Specialist Diploma will be considered provided you can demonstrate relevant post registration skills and knowledge with the ability to work at Specialist Band 6 level. Candidates must be able to provide documentary relevant CPD evidence in support of their application at interview.

The department has a specialist portfolio training programme in place and has a proven track record of success. The successful applicant will be expected to take an active role in the training and development of staff within the department from MLA to Band 5 BMS.

The main automation in Haematology is changing in 2024 to Siemens Hema analysers and stainers, Coagulation ACL TOPS 550 analysers and Blood Transfusion to Ortho automated technology. The LIMS is provided by Clinisys Winpath.

Experience of the above is advantageous but not essential as all necessary training will be provided.

Main Specialist BMS tasks are

Performing complex analyses

Authorising results, reflexing tests as required, referring abnormals to Consultants.

Ensuring analysers maintained, calibrated and quality controlled and troubleshooting any issues

Performing Blood groups and antibody identifcation and crossmatching by both manual and automated techniques.

Providing Blood and products in a timely manner in emergency situations, you must be able to prioritise, multi-task, keep calm and have excellent communiation skills in emergency scenarios.

Managing blood and blood product stock

Training and supervising Band4 and Band 5 staff

The department operates a 24/7 shift system covering dayshifts, late shifts, nightshifts weekends and Bank Holidays which the successful applicant must participate in. There is currently one BMS covering Haem/BT on each site after 2030 and at weekends.

Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meet the needs of the service.

A visit to the laboratory is highly recommended to those interested in this post.

For Informal Enquiries Contact:

Joanne Lawson, Blood sciences departmental manager UHND

0191 333 2628 jlawson5@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Blood Sciences Department is UKAS accredited and part of your role will be to complete all required quality documentation including training, competency and CPD.

You must be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, have an IBMS accredited BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and hold an IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology and Blood Transfusion or have significant relevant experience.

Candidates working towards the Specialist Diploma will be considered provided you can demonstrate relevant post registration skills and knowledge with the ability to work at Specialist Band 6 level. Candidates must be able to provide documentary relevant CPD evidence in support of their application at interview.

The department has a specialist portfolio training programme in place and has a proven track record of success. The successful applicant will be expected to take an active role in the training and development of staff within the department from MLA to Band 5 BMS.

The main automation in Haematology is changing in 2024 to Siemens Hema analysers and stainers, Coagulation ACL TOPS 550 analysers and Blood Transfusion to Ortho automated technology. The LIMS is provided by Clinisys Winpath.

Experience of the above is advantageous but not essential as all necessary training will be provided.

Main Specialist BMS tasks are

Performing complex analyses

Authorising results, reflexing tests as required, referring abnormals to Consultants.

Ensuring analysers maintained, calibrated and quality controlled and troubleshooting any issues

Performing Blood groups and antibody identifcation and crossmatching by both manual and automated techniques.

Providing Blood and products in a timely manner in emergency situations, you must be able to prioritise, multi-task, keep calm and have excellent communiation skills in emergency scenarios.

Managing blood and blood product stock

Training and supervising Band4 and Band 5 staff

The department operates a 24/7 shift system covering dayshifts, late shifts, nightshifts weekends and Bank Holidays which the successful applicant must participate in. There is currently one BMS covering Haem/BT on each site after 2030 and at weekends.

Cross-site cover will be required at the other sites to meet the needs of the service.

A visit to the laboratory is highly recommended to those interested in this post.

For Informal Enquiries Contact:

Joanne Lawson, Blood sciences departmental manager UHND

0191 333 2628 jlawson5@nhs.net

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Organisational skills
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Good Communication
  • Relevant theoretical knowledge and practical experience
  • Precise and accurate work performance

Desirable

  • Additional responsibilities e.g. H&S nominee, COSHH, risk assessor

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma in a Biomedical Science specialty relevant to the post, or demonstrate equivalent additional professional development, training and education with appropriate relevant post registration experience.
  • Demonstrate evidence of on-going CPD.

Desirable

  • Specialist training courses attended
  • Analyser training courses attended

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years post registration experience in a similar or larger establishment as BMS Band 5

Desirable

  • Where appropriate: Multi-discipline work.
  • Additional Pathology interests or experience of specialist tests

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • HCPC registration through BSc in Biomedical Sciences or relevant equivalent

Desirable

  • Membership of any other professional body e.g. IBMS

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
  • Able to participate in 24/7 working as required.
  • Working Flexibly
Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Organisational skills
  • Ability to prioritise
  • Good Communication
  • Relevant theoretical knowledge and practical experience
  • Precise and accurate work performance

Desirable

  • Additional responsibilities e.g. H&S nominee, COSHH, risk assessor

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma in a Biomedical Science specialty relevant to the post, or demonstrate equivalent additional professional development, training and education with appropriate relevant post registration experience.
  • Demonstrate evidence of on-going CPD.

Desirable

  • Specialist training courses attended
  • Analyser training courses attended

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years post registration experience in a similar or larger establishment as BMS Band 5

Desirable

  • Where appropriate: Multi-discipline work.
  • Additional Pathology interests or experience of specialist tests

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • HCPC registration through BSc in Biomedical Sciences or relevant equivalent

Desirable

  • Membership of any other professional body e.g. IBMS

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
  • Able to participate in 24/7 working as required.
  • Working Flexibly

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).

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.

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Blood Sciences Departmental Manager

Joanne Lawson

jlawson@nhs.net

01913332628

Details

Date posted

11 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-24-0395

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

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