Job overview
We’re looking for a motivated and experienced HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist to join our team at King’s College Hospital, working within the Reference Biochemistry Laboratories in the Trace Elements Department. This permanent Band 6 role involves performing complex manual, semi-automated, and automated laboratory investigations, with a focus on highly specialised trace element testing.
You will contribute to quality control and assurance, support research and development, and troubleshoot analytical, technical, and administrative issues to ensure reliable service delivery. The role also includes maintaining turnaround times, liaising with senior staff and clinicians, managing laboratory supplies, and supporting the quality management system.
Subject to competence assessment, you may work independently or deputise for senior colleagues. This is a great opportunity to develop specialist expertise in a nationally recognised service.
Main duties of the job
To perform complex manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations, particularly the more highly specialised Trace element tests within the department.
To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control and quality assurance procedures.
To participate in the research and development activities of the department.
The post holder will also undertake analytical, technical and administrative troubleshooting to ensure a reliable delivery service.
The post holder is required to meet service requirements and turnaround times. This requires the post holder to liaise with senior laboratory staff and clinicians as well as contributing to maintaining adequate supplies of reagents and consumables.
The post holder will be required to aid in the maintenance of the quality management system.
When necessary, the post holder may be required to deputise for a more senior colleague.
Subject to contract and competence assessment the post holder may perform analytical duties either working alone or as part of a small team.
Working for our organisation
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The ACCE competencies programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Detailed job description and main 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.
1.Technical
a.To safely handle, use or dispose of blood, urine, faeces, other body tissue, hazardous and or radioactive chemicals.
b.To undertake preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
c.To carry out first line equipment and method troubleshooting, advise line manager of situations requiring further action.
d.To prepare store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
e.To perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.
f.To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
g.To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and quality procedures.
h.To undertake preliminary fault finding and corrective action when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
i.To report to the Section Manager any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
2.Scientific
a.To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Section Manager.
b.To participate in research and development as directed by the Section Manager/Consultant Clinical Scientist.
c.To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments including through participation in scientific meetings if appropriate.
3.Clinical
a.Provide approved departmental information and advice to other biomedical professionals, and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.
4.Quality Assurance
a.Maintain the quality assurance procedures of the department. Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
b.To carry out audits to highlight deficiencies in the pre-examination, examination and post-examination processes, as required by the Section Manager.
c.To monitor turnaround times of laboratory investigations and act on information to improve the service provided.
d.To participate in audits of the Quality Management System.
5.Risk Management/Health and Safety
a.Work within the Departmental Health and Safety Code of practice. Awareness of hazards inherent in the laboratory and use of adequate precautions at all times.
b.To report any adverse incidents as set out in the trust’s Adverse Incident Policy.
c.Maintain laboratory equipment in a safe clean working condition. Maintenance schedules performed as outlined in relevant SOP. Equipment decontaminated and ‘permit to work certificate’ issued to engineer prior to servicing. Refrigerator freezer and waterbath temperatures logged daily and fume cupboards weekly.
d.To participate in the review of policies and procedures, COSHH and workplace risk assessments.
6.Continuing Professional Development
a.Develop knowledge of the significance of medical laboratory work in order to offer the best possible service to the user.
b.Understands own role and is aware of the management structure of the department.
c.Contributes to service initiatives within the laboratory setting.
7.Laboratory Informatics
a.To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
b.To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
c.To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
8.Staff Training
a.To support and participate in staff training and development.
b.To participate with supervision of the work and performance monitoring of, trainees Biomedical Scientists and students in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
c.The post holder may be required to rotate to other departments or sites within the organisation to meet service needs and support professional development.
9.Administrative
a.To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS.
b.To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating appropriately with colleagues and managers.
c.To use departmental resources efficiently and advice the Section Manager when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites,Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s 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.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s 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, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
2. HCPC State Registration
3. Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
4. IBMS Specialist Portfolio
5. MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Previous laboratory experience in a Reference Biochemistry laboratory
7. Working as a member of a team
Desirable criteria
8. Post registration experience
9. Evidence of problem solving in laboratory medicine
10. Experience in the use of LC-MS/MS
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of general Reference Biochemistry laboratory tests
12. Well-developed interpersonal skills
13. Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel
14. Knowledge of the Quality Management System and the use of Quality Control and External Quality Assurance
Desirable criteria
15. Knowledge of chromatography and immunoassay theory related to specialist Clinical Biochemistry laboratory tests
16. Ability to amend complex documents
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
17. Contributory pension scheme
18. Generous annual leave entitlement
19. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.