Job summary
Doyou have the skills, drive and ambition to succeed as an Advanced BiomedicalScientist within Microbiology?
Aswe embark on an exciting journey to move to the Centre For Laboratory Medicine,a brand new, £30m, purpose built laboratory facility, this role offers amultitude of opportunities to shape the future of Microbiology in Leeds.
Thepost is currently based at Leeds General Infirmary, relocating to St JamesUniversity Hospital when microbiology services transfer in 2024.
Youwill be fundamental in helping to develop a collaborative microbiology serviceworking closely with other trusts in West Yorkshire to help deliver the WestYorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYATT) partnership. The pathologyManaged Service Contract (MSC) is currently being renewed, you will be key toplanning, development, training and implementation of any changes that arisebecause of the new MSC.
Thispost is advertised as a full time post withinBacteriology. Extensive specialist knowledge is essential.
Applicantsmust be HCPC registered with a Biomedical Science degree or equivalent, hold anMSc (or level 7 equivalent) and hold an IBMS specialist portfolio inmicrobiology if your MSc was obtained after 2006.
Main duties of the job
Ona daily basis you will supervise a section within the Bacteriologysection. You will be responsible forsupervision and training of staff, alongside maintaining quality managementsystems within the section and troubleshooting errors. You will still berequired to work on the bench alongside other duties such as CAPAinvestigation, completing audit outcomes and reviewing operating procedures.
Therole involves participation in service improvement and developments and youwill be encouraged to review workflows and technologies to drive efficiencies.
Youwill be pro-active in your own development and that of the service. Our charitypartner organisation Leeds Cares provides funding for all staff and contributesto training and development including further IBMS & professionalqualifications.
Weprovide a full 24/7 laboratory service supported by a shift system (agenda forchange T&Cs). As an Advanced Biomedical Scientist you will participate inproviding cover for the service.
About us
Thedepartment is currently located within the Old Medical School at Leeds GeneralInfirmary processing in excess of one million samples per annum. The departmentuses a number of technologies to deliver the service including WASPlab,MALDI-Tof, DS2 & IQ Sprints alongside traditional culture basedMicrobiology. The successful candidate will be working in a busy laboratory;delivering services to one of the UKs largest teaching hospitals leading to adiverse workload. The service is accredited to UKAS ISO 15189 with a robustQuality Management system in place.
Thedepartment is also the lead laboratory for Public Health England in the Yorkshireand Humber region and plays important role in delivering Microbiology &Virology services to support this function.
Theteam are diverse and enthusiastic to deliver a quality service.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our processof redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. Assuch, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the rightto close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you doexperience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, pleasebear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact ifyou have any questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
To undertake highly specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. This will require the complex analysis, interpretation and comparison of clinical samples.
To co-ordinate, validate and authorize the day to day technical activities of a section of the laboratory
To ensure the training of technical, scientific and medical staff within area of specialist responsibility
To lead where appropriate in quality activities such as audit, EQA review, validation, change and risk management.
To communicate highly complex and / or sensitive information to colleagues and other healthcare staff.
To lead and be accountable for a section of the laboratory discipline including involvement with HR procedures and deputising for more senior staff where appropriate.
In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for a relevant degree, relevant masters degree, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma, or equivalent qualification at Level 7 and be a HCPC registered healthcare scientist In addition you will have extensive experience within the speciality or related discipline. You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge within the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD).
To fulfil your people governance responsibilities you will be required to undergo appropriate HR training, for example, in supervisory management. As a senior staff member you will be required to assist in the general management of the department, for example in areas such as basic HR functions, appraisal, incident investigation etc.. Any training required for this will be provided.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition, computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
In order to work effectively in the role you as the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include:
Clinical/ Scientific /Technical (lab based roles)
Perform a wide range of complex clinical technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
Use of the LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information
To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
To be a leading member of a team providing a clinical technical service
To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service.
To communicate, explain complex information and results to clinicians & other service users clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
Oversight responsibility for co-ordinating effective workload management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area
Responsible for the development and validation of in house quality control material & reagents
To validate the work of other sections when circumstances require
To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
To operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
To input, manage, extract and interpret complex patient data using the laboratory computer system
To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate
To contribute actively towards the improvement of general service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within the speciality
Attend MDT meetings as appropriate
Leadership and Management
Support the departments senior team and deputise in the absence of key staff to deliver service
To plan and implement changes to the clinical technical service offered by the section
To remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills subject to the requirements of the service
Responsible for carrying out appraisal scheme for direct reports
Day to day management and responsibility for people governance procedures that are consistent with Trust HR policies for direct reports
To undertake tasks that contribute to the general management of the speciality
To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
Effectively administers Trust people governance policies and procedures within area of specialist responsibility and undertakes the necessary training to ensure on-going competence delivery
Provides personalised support to promote the continuous development of staff as part of on-going line management responsibilities
Responsible for ensuring continuous individual and team development and a collaborative approach
Level 2 investigations
Roster approval level 1
Budgetary awareness for designated area and works with operational leads to maintain expenditure relating to area of specialist responsibility within agreed limits
Produces informative management reports and contributes to business cases which inform strategic decision making
Effective stock management
Quality / Training
Responsible for ensuring that quality management system and training documentation is up to date and fit for purpose at all times for area of specialist responsibility
Leads on the maintenance of a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times
Oversight of creation and authorisation of Standard Operating Procedures, risk assessments and training records within area of specialist responsibility
Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality
Ensures the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
Ensuring that training and competency assessment take place at appropriate intervals and across all personnel, both on a scheduled and ad-hoc basis ( in response to incidents)
Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance records are being consistently completed in a timely manner with documented assurance through audit
Responsible for ensuring that all audit nonconformities relating to the area of specialist responsibility are robustly investigated with timely instigation of remedial and corrective measures in order to successfully mitigate risk
Leads on service improvement initiatives for the area of specialist responsibility, empowering all staff to actively contribute to continuous improvement ( establishment of standard work)
Leads on the implementation of new or updated technologies/instrumentation/tests within specialist area
Responsibility for the management of analytical result quality within area of specialist responsibility, including timely and effective review of EQA, IQC data, establishment and review of uncertainty, data trending, conducting quality investigations, implementing preventative, corrective and remedial follow up
Leads on service improvement initiatives for the area of specialist responsibility, empowering all staff to actively contribute to continuous improvement ( establishment of standard work)
Actively contributes to service development within area of specialist responsibility by leading on the evaluation of new approaches to service delivery/updated technologies/instruments/ tests
Responsible for ensuring that appropriate service continuity plans and action cards are in place for area of specialist responsibility and subject to regular review of effectiveness
Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.
Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.
Observe the requirements of Trust policies relating to clinical and people governance.
Other
The principal duties listed above are not an exhaustive list and the post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as commensurate with the grade and role as as agreed with line manager. Addendums to this Job Description may be added to more accurately describe additional duties for non-lab based roles.
This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination. Working with both speed and accuracy is required.
THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Relevant degree
2. Relevant masters degree, or equivalent qualification at Level 7
3. HCPC Registered healthcare scientist - please provide registration number and date obtained
4. IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma - please provide date obtained
Desirable
5. Supervisory management qualification
Experience
Essential
6. Extensive experience within Bacteriology
7. Clear evidence of leadership within a laboratory environment
8. Evidence of CPD and ongoing training in discipline
9. Willingness to undertake other formal study and in house training
Desirable
10. Experience with Molecular Testing
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
11. Specialist knowledge within bacteriology
12. Proven ability to lead a team
13. Proven ability to work independently and under own initiative to deliver projects