Job summary
There is an exciting opportunity within Health Services Laboratories department of Haematology & Blood Transfusion located at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead Site, to recruit a Specialist Biomedical Scientist for Diagnostic Haematology & Blood Transfusion. Applications are invited from committed, motivated and enthusiastic individuals who wish to extend their skills and be instrumental in moving the department into an exciting future.
Main duties of the job
If you would like to be involved in shaping the future of the pathology services at HSL and are HCPC Registered with an accredited Biomedical Science Degree with a minimum of 2 years post registration experience, you are invited to apply. Experience of working in a Haematology and Blood transfusion Laboratory is essential. You will be part of a team responsible for the day to day running of the routine Haematology & Blood Transfusion section and have the opportunity to play an integral part in introducing new methodologies and technologies and providing a service of the highest standard to our service users.
The post holder will have opportunities for further development, with responsibilities for quality and training dependant on experience. The department has an excellent training programme to develop staff to realise their potential.
You will be working 37.5 hrs per week on a 24/7 shift pattern, inclusive of 3 consecutive 12 hour night shifts, weekends and late shifts on a rotational basis. Salaries are comparable with agenda for change pay scales dependent on experience.
The working hours are predominantly a day shift covering from 09:00 to 17:30, but there will need to be cover for the night shift 20:30 to 09:00 in the event cover is needed for sickness absence and annual leave. We would anticipate the need for the night shift cover to be around 1 - 2 in a 4-6 week period. The weekend shifts ( 09:00 to 20:30), are assigned shifts in the 12 week rota, 1-2 per month.
About us
At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:
Training and development opportunities including the funding of Undergraduate and Masters Degrees and IBMS Specialist Portfolios for Biomedical Scientists
Annual performance related salary review
Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms
Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians
Sick Pay Entitlement 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter
Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover
Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)
Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing
Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts
Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with years of service
Competitive annual leave allowance -28 days annual leave
Flexible working hours 37.5 hours standard working week
Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure that your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
We respect and value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from diverse communities.
PLEASE NOTE: WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS VACANCY AT ANY TIME EVEN IF A CLOSING DATE IS SHOWN HERE OR IN ANY OTHER MEDIA
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake haematological and blood transfusion investigations, rotating through all sections of
the department as required to maintain knowledge and skill levels to work both independently and
under the supervision of senior biomedical scientists to maintain a cross site 24/7 service.
Main Duties:
To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:
1. To contribute to providing a professional and technical laboratory service working effectively as a
team member as part of the overall department.
2. To work independently performing routine analyses with support as required from senior
Biomedical Scientists.
3. To support the 24/7 laboratory service, participating in shifts as allocated by the Head of
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
1. To undertake routine maintenance of analysers and equipment, ensuring that Calibration, IQC
and EQC are within acceptable limits. This forms part of the duties of completing all
documentation required by CPA/UKAS and MHRA. To communicate any issue that may affect
provision of the service to the Senior Biomedical Scientist.
2. To undertake basic troubleshooting in the event of equipment or assay failure. escalating the
failure to a senior member of staff as necessary, and maintaining incident documentation as
required by the Standard Operating Procedures.
3. To ensure that adequate stocks of consumables and reagents are available to maintain an
efficient service, informing Senior Biomedical Scientists when supplies need replenishing.
4. Performs investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and Laboratory
health and safety policies, to a high standard providing results in a timely fashion so as to
comply with turn around times as stated in the Users Handbook.
5. To perform routine morphological assessments of routine blood smears and to be able to
identify normal and abnormal blood cells and common blood-borne parasites. To perform more complex investigations under the supervision of a Senior Biomedical
Scientist.
7. To perform blood group and antibody screening and other routine tests within the Blood
Transfusion laboratory, and to perform further secondary testing including Antibody Panel
investigations and identification as necessary.
8. To be aware of all local and national guidelines and policies related to the provision of safe
blood products to patients.
9. To provide compatible blood components for routine and emergency transfusion
10. To undertake technical and first level authorisation of results, ensuring that IQC is within
accepted limits. To interpret and understand the implications of results at a basic level and to
take appropriate action when these fall outside the expected ranges, communicating them to
the requestor and referring the request to the Haematology Registrars or Consultant
Haematologist where clinical input is required.
11. To receive and communicate information accurately and concisely to colleagues and service
users as required.
12. To inform the Senior Biomedical Scientist or manager of any issues that may affect the
provision of the service.
13. To assist in the development and implementation current and new techniques within the
laboratory.
14. To assist in the validation of new equipment.
15. To assist in the review and development of current and new Standard Operating Procedures
16. To undertake and assist in Clinical and Scientific audits as required by the Head of
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories.
17. To develop and improve professional expertise and specialist skills.
Training and Education
1. To undertake relevant and necessary training to maintain and improve knowledge and skills as
directed by the Head of Haematology and Transfusion Laboratories or Deputies.
2. To maintain own personal development and attend departmental meetings as required.
3. To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and participate in
a recognised CPD scheme.
4. To take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.
5. To assist in the development of junior colleagues by assisting in the training of trainee BMS and
MLA staff, and to undertake, complete, and sign off all competencies associated with these
grades.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To undertake haematological and blood transfusion investigations, rotating through all sections of
the department as required to maintain knowledge and skill levels to work both independently and
under the supervision of senior biomedical scientists to maintain a cross site 24/7 service.
Main Duties:
To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:
1. To contribute to providing a professional and technical laboratory service working effectively as a
team member as part of the overall department.
2. To work independently performing routine analyses with support as required from senior
Biomedical Scientists.
3. To support the 24/7 laboratory service, participating in shifts as allocated by the Head of
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
1. To undertake routine maintenance of analysers and equipment, ensuring that Calibration, IQC
and EQC are within acceptable limits. This forms part of the duties of completing all
documentation required by CPA/UKAS and MHRA. To communicate any issue that may affect
provision of the service to the Senior Biomedical Scientist.
2. To undertake basic troubleshooting in the event of equipment or assay failure. escalating the
failure to a senior member of staff as necessary, and maintaining incident documentation as
required by the Standard Operating Procedures.
3. To ensure that adequate stocks of consumables and reagents are available to maintain an
efficient service, informing Senior Biomedical Scientists when supplies need replenishing.
4. Performs investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and Laboratory
health and safety policies, to a high standard providing results in a timely fashion so as to
comply with turn around times as stated in the Users Handbook.
5. To perform routine morphological assessments of routine blood smears and to be able to
identify normal and abnormal blood cells and common blood-borne parasites. To perform more complex investigations under the supervision of a Senior Biomedical
Scientist.
7. To perform blood group and antibody screening and other routine tests within the Blood
Transfusion laboratory, and to perform further secondary testing including Antibody Panel
investigations and identification as necessary.
8. To be aware of all local and national guidelines and policies related to the provision of safe
blood products to patients.
9. To provide compatible blood components for routine and emergency transfusion
10. To undertake technical and first level authorisation of results, ensuring that IQC is within
accepted limits. To interpret and understand the implications of results at a basic level and to
take appropriate action when these fall outside the expected ranges, communicating them to
the requestor and referring the request to the Haematology Registrars or Consultant
Haematologist where clinical input is required.
11. To receive and communicate information accurately and concisely to colleagues and service
users as required.
12. To inform the Senior Biomedical Scientist or manager of any issues that may affect the
provision of the service.
13. To assist in the development and implementation current and new techniques within the
laboratory.
14. To assist in the validation of new equipment.
15. To assist in the review and development of current and new Standard Operating Procedures
16. To undertake and assist in Clinical and Scientific audits as required by the Head of
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories.
17. To develop and improve professional expertise and specialist skills.
Training and Education
1. To undertake relevant and necessary training to maintain and improve knowledge and skills as
directed by the Head of Haematology and Transfusion Laboratories or Deputies.
2. To maintain own personal development and attend departmental meetings as required.
3. To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and participate in
a recognised CPD scheme.
4. To take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.
5. To assist in the development of junior colleagues by assisting in the training of trainee BMS and
MLA staff, and to undertake, complete, and sign off all competencies associated with these
grades.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good organisational skills.
- Ability to work accurately, neatly and
- efficiently. Attention to detail is very
- important.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Basic Keyboard skills and familiarity
- with Microsoft Office Suite. .
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality
- at all times.
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to communicate efficiently with
- other members of the laboratory in
- English - both verbally and in writing.
- Use of laboratory equipment relevant to
- the specialty
- Demonstrate experience of working to a
- laboratory Quality Management System.
Experience
Essential
- Some theoretical and practical
- knowledge in all disciplines of pathology
- relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
- Previous experience in a relevant
- laboratory, and proficiency in
- techniques appropriate to the discipline
Qualifications
Essential
- BMS-accredited Biological Sciences
- degree or equivalent qualification in
- pathology disciplines
- Current registration with The Health and
- Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Specialist Diploma or equivalent
- experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with
- people at all levels
- Well presented and will abide by dress
- codes
- Demonstrate professionalism and a
- customer-focused attitude
- Calm under pressure
- Punctual and reliable
- Helpful, friendly and polite
- Flexible and adaptable
- Committed to the corporate quality
- objectives
- Commercially aware
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good organisational skills.
- Ability to work accurately, neatly and
- efficiently. Attention to detail is very
- important.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Basic Keyboard skills and familiarity
- with Microsoft Office Suite. .
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality
- at all times.
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to communicate efficiently with
- other members of the laboratory in
- English - both verbally and in writing.
- Use of laboratory equipment relevant to
- the specialty
- Demonstrate experience of working to a
- laboratory Quality Management System.
Experience
Essential
- Some theoretical and practical
- knowledge in all disciplines of pathology
- relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
- Previous experience in a relevant
- laboratory, and proficiency in
- techniques appropriate to the discipline
Qualifications
Essential
- BMS-accredited Biological Sciences
- degree or equivalent qualification in
- pathology disciplines
- Current registration with The Health and
- Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Specialist Diploma or equivalent
- experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with
- people at all levels
- Well presented and will abide by dress
- codes
- Demonstrate professionalism and a
- customer-focused attitude
- Calm under pressure
- Punctual and reliable
- Helpful, friendly and polite
- Flexible and adaptable
- Committed to the corporate quality
- objectives
- Commercially aware
Additional information
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).
