Biomedical Scientist

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

The primary responsibilities of the post holder will be to contribute to the clinical work of the Immunophenotyping laboratory and perform technical and analytical duties to deliver a high quality Immunophenotyping service. This includes undertaking analyses for the diagnosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies and disorders, and performing other duties in the immunophenotyping laboratory as necessary.

The post holder is responsible for pre-analytical quality control and clinical work ensuring proper organisation and functioning of the work areas, directing junior staff and ensuring that the correct procedures are performed. Responsibilities include supervision of work and personnel, performance monitoring and the training and development of scientific and support staff required for the delivery of a fit for purpose clinical service.

The post holder will be expected to hold BSc (Hons) in a relevant discipline, registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical (or Clinical) Scientist and IBMS specialist portfolio or equivalent qualification or experience.

Experience in using Laboratory Information and Quality Manage Systems (LIMS and QMS) and general good IT skills are essential and experience of stock and document control are also required. The post holder should have experience in staff training, supervision and should have excellent communication skills. The high throughput requirements of the laboratory and fast pace dictates the candidate must be able to multitask, problem solve, be flexible, show effective time management and work well under pressure in order to meet deadlines ensuring good quality service is maintained. Meticulous attention to detail is required with a commitment to service delivery and patient focus. The successful candidate will show an interest in the haemato-oncology field and be motivated to develop themselves, others and the department. A foundation of flow cytometry experience is essential, with experience with complex immunophenotyping of haematological malignancies and measurable residual disease highly desirable.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) in relevant discipline
• Registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientists Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• IBMS Specialist Diploma or Diploma of Specialist Practice Specialist practice or equivalent (BMS route)

Desirable

• MSc in relevant discipline

Experience

Essential

• Experience of Laboratory Information Systems
• Experience of troubleshooting laboratory processes and investigating non-conformances
• Experience of stock control management
• Knowledge and understanding of ISO15189 and UKAS accreditation
• Knowledge and understanding of health and safety in a diagnostic laboratory setting
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Demonstrable broad level of Immunophenotyping experience

Desirable

• Experience of performing quality audits
• Experience of document control including writing and updating of standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Experience with complex flow cytometry analysis and interpretation in clinical context of haematological malignancies
• Experience of measurement of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) by flow cytometry
• Experience of assay development and validation to the standards required for UKAS accreditation

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good verbal and written communication skills in English
• Clear communication of complex information, including technical information, advice and results, to other health professionals
• Able to supervise others and offer advice and intervention where appropriate and in line with Standard Operating Procedures
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment. Able to organise and manage own and others workload
• Ability to deal with difficult and high-pressure situations
• Ability to meet deadlines through effective time management skills
• Able to respond to changes in workload and solve problems with the minimum of help.
• Technical validation and problem solving e.g. assay/equipment failure, quality control failure
• Ability to maintain records, work in an organised manner and to meticulously high standard
• Strong IT skills including use of spreadsheets and presentation software
• Basic knowledge of Health & Safety Legislation and procedures, quality Control and assurance, Quality Management and Audit
• Competent in techniques associated with Flow cytometry and Immunophenotyping
• Ability to follow instructions and take direction. Meticulous attention to detail
• Enthusiasm and highly motivated
• Commitment to service delivery and patient care

Desirable

• Competent in the analysis and reporting of complex multiparameter flow cytometry assays
• Competent in the investigation of abnormal Immunophenotyping results
• Comprehensive Immunophenotyping theory
• Comprehensive knowledge of blood cancers
• Knowledge of process improvement techniques

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).