Biomedical Scientist in Norwich

The Eastern Pathology Alliance (EPA) Microbiology Department is based at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital. Providing the sole Microbiology service for Norfolk, we deliver high-performing, ISO15189 accredited pathology services across Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology, Serology and molecular diagnostics.

Working for EPA provides exciting opportunities for development, research, education, and training, helping staff to experience a wide and varied career within our organization. We are committed to attracting and retaining pathology staff, valuing both skills and ideas, whilst supporting you in developing your full potential. Along with being an IBMS accredited training laboratory, we also offer a variety of training opportunities for all staff.

Main duties of the job:

• Healthcare Scientist specialising in Microbiology required to perform a range of tests in Bacteriology, Virology and Serology.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required as well as the ability to produce accurate and precise work.
• Preference will be given to candidates with an extensive Virology/Serology or Molecular background.

Working for our organisation:

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff. The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We attract some of the best professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities:

Main duties of job:

• Handles dangerous pathogens on a daily basis including containment level 3 organisms.
• Communicates complex clinical technical service-related test information to managers, consultants, nurses and other health care colleagues.
• Answers telephone inquiries from pathology users about test results and provides information about methodologies and service requirements.
• Explains results and reassures the users that information is correct when results do not agree with clinical presentation.
• Manages own work and day-to-day routine work in specialised services.
• Maintains complex specialist equipment on a daily basis and assesses fitness for clinical use.
• Responsible for the efficient use of expensive tests and high value equipment.
• Runs test procedures on all methodologies on a daily basis to include calibration and quality control testing.
• Follows policies in specialised areas and proposes changes that will improve and develop the service.
• Assists service engineers to repair equipment.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of standards for continuing UKAS accreditation.

Responsibilities For Laboratory Information Service:

• Assisting in managing and maintaining specialised databases in laboratory computer systems.
• Input patient data and results.
• Creates, amends, deletes, processes, generates, updates, reports, requests, inquires, clarifies and stores information on patient databases.
• Operates and manages software databases on complex clinical equipment.

Research, evaluation & service development:

• Uses research and development protocols to provide statistical presentations of internal quality control (QC).
• Assists in the evaluation and development of methods to improve the service and patient care diagnostic tests.
• Investigates abnormal and unusual results by recognised research and development protocols.
• Assists in the development of specialised services to include new and emerging technologies.

Training:

• Assists in the training of all grades of staff as required.
• Demonstrates ongoing training and maintains competence to practice.
• Keeps up to date with SOPs, Departmental and Trust policies.

Health & Safety and Confidentiality:

• Assists in safety supervision and training for junior members of staff.
• Abides by the Health and Safety Code of Practice for the service.
• Participates in the annual Health and Safety review.

Other:

• Ensures the application of Trust policies where applicable to Pathology.
• Participates in annual performance review.
• Ensures all tests are carried out to the required Microbiological and Safety Standards.
• Any other duties as required by the Microbiology Network Manager or Chief Biomedical Scientist.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
• State registration with Health Professions Council (HPC).

Experience:

• Has experience of working in a diverse, high throughput clinical service.

Skills:

• Understands how to interpret and respond to internal QA results.
• Has a working knowledge of the assays performed within their service.

Attitude, aptitude:

• Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence.
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.