Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Knowsley

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our Haematology and Transfusion Department. Specialist BMS carry out analyses on blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells to determine the presence or absence of disease; this enables diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment. Biomedical Scientists also carry out population screening for inherited or malignant disorders.

Specialist BMS generally work without guidance or supervision to complete delegated tasks involved in the delivery of a clinical pathology service that enables high standards of patient care. Specialist BMS work as autonomous practitioners to provide a Pathology service for the Trusts outside routine working hours.

Main duties of the job

• Specialist BMS rotate throughout the department and are able to carry out the full analytical repertoire of tests and will have gained a greater depth of knowledge in specific areas.
• The post holder is required to participate in the 24 hours shift pattern.
• Cross-Training in other traditional disciplines may also be required and will be expected to work on any site where Pathology is provided by St Helens and Knowsley NHS Teaching Trust (STHK) and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (SOHT).
• Specialist BMS are good problem solvers and as a member of a team are required to be good communicators to ensure effective continuity of the service.

Working for our organisation

Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals. The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care: CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate; SAFETY that is of the highest standards; COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful; SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable; PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients.

Key Duties

• Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis through all sections within the Department as required.
• Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and participate in the regular review and update of SOPs.
• Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with Departmental policies and suppliers’ instructions.
• Undertake routine and more complex maintenance procedures on the analysers within the Department and maintain maintenance records.
• Plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.
• Undertake technical validation and authorisation of the complex results from laboratory investigations ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
• Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
• Carry out corrective action when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance. Inform senior staff as necessary.
• Prepare reagents to specification.
• Monitor laboratory and satellite blood fridges and take remedial action in the event of failure to secure stock viability.
• Assist medical staff in bone marrow biopsies.
• Report any instance or event that may cause service delivery failure.
• Have occasional direct patient contact for example performing sweat test analysis on children referred from the Paediatric Consultants, and to deliver relevant information to parents/guardians.
• Check the integrity of patient samples and note any interfering factors before initiating analysis.
• Take responsibility for selection of correct blood and blood products from laboratory stock, as requested for patients following standard operating procedures.
• Ensure best use of stocks in component selection, and maintenance of adequate stock of blood and products in accordance with pre-determined stock levels, and order patient specific products as required in accordance with SOPs from local NBTS.
• When required, take technical responsibility for the daily running of a section.
• Monitor performance of equipment and methods, identifying to Senior staff any concerns. Undertaking equipment repair as required and seeking any necessary advice from equipment manufacturers.
• When available, provide technical support and advice to out of hours staff by telephone, and attend the department out of hours if required.
• Use interpretive skills to determine the clinical significance of results of laboratory tests.
• Perform External Quality Control and be aware of the External Quality Control performance for the section.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to Trust and departmental Health & Safety protocols and Fire regulations.
• Identify risks, and to be aware of risk assessments affecting the workplace.
• Report clinical incidents to the Blood Sciences Service Lead.
• Adhere to current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation (COSHH).

Communications

• Communicate results to persons authorised to receive them in a clear and concise manner following appropriate policies and procedures.
• Provide advice and information to laboratory, ward, GP staff and patients regarding samples and sample handling.
• Deal with result and test queries where information may be conflicting and difficult to understand.
• Initiate major incident cascade within Pathology in the absence of senior staff and liaise with National Blood Service over blood stock levels.
• Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council.
• A recognised Biomedical Science degree with honours which is acceptable to the Health Professions Council.
• Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Scientist.
• Willing to pursue further qualification.

Knowledge & Experience

• Detailed working knowledge of laboratory information and management computer systems and standard IT packages.
• Experience of CPD by portfolio.
• Ability to work within all areas of department.
• Understands theoretical and practical laboratory procedures.
• Understand basic quality control procedures.
• Ability to organise own workload and that of subordinate staff.
• Show understanding of Health & Safety requirements, including COSHH regulations.
• Experience of presentations.
• Familiarity and compliance with UKAS Accreditation requirements.

Skills

• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willing and able to learn new skills.
• Ability to use initiative.
• Problem solving.
• Possesses highly developed technical skills.

Other

• Personable, friendly demeanour.
• Well organised.
• Willing to work flexibly.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work alone to provide an out of hours service.

Our Values

We are Kind. We are Open. We are Inclusive.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

The Trust is a non-smoking organisation across all sites.

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts' commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

How to apply

If you have difficulty completing an online application, contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk.