Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to work as Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Blood Transfusion at Guys and St Thomas Hospitals as a permanent band 7
Guys and St Thomas is a large specialist trust dealing with various and complex patients. We are undergoing multiple projects in Blood Sciences and across the trust including Blood Track, and the successful applicant would be able to gain experience in implementing and running these new systems.
You will be expected to work as part of the BT Senior Team managing staff in a shared team between Core Haematology and Blood Transfusion, working across both the Guy’s and St Thomas’ sites and gaining that exposure to the interesting caseloads put through the laboratory.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Blood Sciences, the post holder is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a sub-section of the laboratory. The post holder will be responsible for leading a small team of Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants to deliver a fit-for-purpose medical laboratory service to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and resource management within the hospital. The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities in the Blood Transfusion section of Blood Sciences at St Thomas’, with rotations at the Guy’s site.
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
1. Technical
2. To ensure that preventative maintenance schedules have been carried out on laboratory instruments prior to them being used for patient investigations.
3. To ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used in a manner suitable for patient investigations.
4. To perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations.
5. To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
6. To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
7. To take corrective action when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance with the laboratory instruments or methods.
8. To take appropriate action when there is a situation this may cause service delivery failure.
2. Scientific
9. To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Operations Manager.
10. To participate in research and development as directed by the Operations Manager.
3. Clinical
11. To interpret laboratory results and take appropriate actions.
12. To be responsible for the authorisation and release of abnormal laboratory results for the clinical care of patients.
13. To order and interpret follow-up laboratory procedures as indicated from the primary set of laboratory results on the patient.
14. To add technical comments as appropriate to the laboratory report prior to authorising the release of the results.
15. To add clinical comments as appropriate to the laboratory report prior to authorising the release of the results.
16. To refer clinically significant results for a second opinion from the Operations Manager and/or Consultant Haematologist.
17. To select, test and issue blood and blood products for patient care.
18. To participate in clinical audits as directed by the Operations or Quality Managers.
19. To inform the requesting physician of any clinically significant result or any technically invalid result that requires further action by the physician.
4. Laboratory Informatics
20. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
21. To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
22. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
23. To develop systems and processes for recording and storing laboratory information
5. Management
24. To supervise the day-to-day operation of a sub-section of Blood Sciences.
25. To ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of BSQR and ISO15189.
26. To prepare and review Standard Operating Procedures.
27. To undertake work file management to ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time.
28. To train, develop and assess the competence of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Specialist Registrars.
29. To supervise the work performance of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Specialist Registrars.
30. To assist the Operations Manager with stock control of reagents and consumables.
To assist the Operations Manager in Blood Stocks Management Scheme
31. To assist the Operations Manager measure and monitor turnaround times for laboratory results and take corrective action if required.
32. To assist the Operations Manager with NEQAS surveys and to take appropriate action as directed by the Operations Manager in the event of poor performance
33. To maintain records of antenatal patients at risk of Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn as directed by the Operations Manager.
34. To report clinical incidents and/or complaints to the Operations Manager and investigate, if appropriate as directed by the Operations or Quality Managers.
35. To undertake ‘Training and Development Reviews’ on the laboratory staff as directed by the Operations Manager.
36. Deputise for the Operations Manager for service provision and attendance at meetings.
6. General
37. To observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies.
38. To ensure that the workplace and workbenches are kept clean and tidy.
39. To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.
40. To treat everyone associated with Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust with courtesy and respect.
41. To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. BSQR & UKAS ISO15189.
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.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
42. BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree or equivalent
43. HCPC State registration as a Biomedical Scientist
44. Specialist portfolio in relevant discipline (Transfusion) BBTS specialist certificate or equivalent experience (if HCPC Registration via IBMS Portfolio route) or FIBMS
45. MSc, FIBMS portfolio in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a similar role
46. Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD
Desirable criteria
47. Quality or Management qualification
48. Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice
49. IBMS membership
50. BBTS membership
Experience
Essential criteria
51. Working as a member of a team
52. Minimum of 2 years at a specialist BMS level
53. Working alone during an out-of-hours service
54. Problem solving
55. Automated Blood Transfusion procedures
56. Manual Blood Transfusion Laboratory Procedures
57. Use of electronic information systems for laboratory, blood tracking and cold chain.
58. Management and implementation of Blood Safety Quality Regulations (BSQR)
59. Training of MLA and BMS staff in the relevant field.
Desirable criteria
60. Winpath Enterprise
61. Hemonetics Blood Track
62. Q Pulse
63. Webreact temperature monitoring system
64. Line management experience
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
65. •Ability to undertake technical validation and authorisation of results
66. •Comprehensive Blood Transfusion techniques
67. •Expert red cell serology
68. Report/document writing
69. Authorisation of results for clinical use
70. Comprehensive Blood Transfusion theory
71. Quality Management Systems and GMP
72. Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and managing a team
73. Experience of supervising junior employees
74. Demonstrates a high degree of skill, knowledge and judgement where interpretation of results can be highly subjective
75. Knowledge of effective line management techniques including all aspects of people management, for example recruitment and rota management
76. Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS
Desirable criteria
77. Good awareness of current issues within pathology locally and nationally
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:
78. Contributory pension scheme
79. Generous annual leave entitlement
80. 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.