Job overview
Would you like to get registered as a Biomedical Scientist? Then read further…
We are looking for an enthusiastic Trainee Biomedical Scientist (Band 5u), for a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) within the Clinical Immunology and Allergy Laboratory. You will be based at the Synnovis Hub in Central London.
You must have a scientific background, with an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited degree. You will be fully supported to complete your IBMS Registration Training Portfolio to obtain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with a view to becoming a registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS).We expect this to take between 12 and 18 months. To successfully move into the Band 5 post and salary scale, you must first have passed your registration portfolio and obtained HCPC Registration, you will then be paid at the entry point of the Band 5 pay scale, FL1.
Ideally you would have post graduate experience working within a diagnostic laboratory, with demonstrable experience of laboratory practises and techniques, Quality and Health and Safety standards. The successful applicant will join our friendly and interactive team which delivers an excellent diagnostic Immunology service to King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St. Thomas’s Hospitals, local GPs and other customers throughout the UK.
An extended working day is in operation from 08:00 to 19:30, Monday to Friday, which is covered by three shifts. There is also a 3-hour voluntary shift on Saturdays. The Saturday shifts are covered by Medical Laboratory Assistants and Biomedical Scientists, and you would be encouraged to join this rota once you are competent to perform the tasks required.
Our service is fully UKAS accredited to ISO15189:2022 following a recent assessment covering our recent relocation of the laboratory into new purpose-built accommodation at Blackfriars. We are accredited by the IBMS for Training. We offer an extensive repertoire of analyses covering autoimmunity, allergy, monoclonal gammopathies and immunodeficiency.
Staff are rotated through all sections of the service. There is a high level of automation in the lab. You will need to have good IT skills, a logical scientific mind and be able to demonstrate a desire to continually improve both yourself and the service.
Being a part of a close-knit team with constant rotations, you will need to demonstrate excellent teamwork and people skills in this very busy laboratory. The laboratory team comprises 26 staff, which includes Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, and Medical Laboratory Assistants. The laboratory team is supported by a team of medical personnel.
This is an exciting time to join our team following our recent relocation. The service is settling into our new lab, and there is now time to dedicate to the training of staff and the development of the service.
Main duties of the job
As a trainee BMS you will be trained in all sections of the service, gradually becoming competent in all areas. As you develop you will be assigned more responsibilities. Your main duty is to gain the knowledge and experience required of a BMS.
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. The job you are applying for will be based at our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1. There is 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.
Purpose of the Job
In this role you will be a developing Biomedical Scientist that is growing skills around investigations as part of the laboratory team in Synnovis. Reporting to the Senior Specialist BMS, you will hold a variety of responsibilities to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.
What you will do
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:
• Accumulate practical skills and theoretical knowledge to complete IBMS Registration Training Portfolio to achieve Certificate of Competence and attain HCPC registration.
• Develop current skills around biomedical investigations to the highest standard possible and within specific turnaround times.
• Deliver work under supervision, until ready to work autonomously, within all regulations and legislative requirements.
• Prepare solutions, reagents etc, and utilise a variety of laboratory equipment to carry out investigations.
• Rotate around the laboratory to ensure a broad range of understanding and knowledge is cultivated. This may include working in shifts, as directed by senior management.
• Operate complex laboratory equipment within all safety standards relevant to your area.
• Use cost effective methods in your practice and maintain levels of consumable goods and supplies in your area, and report shortages accordingly.
Key Responsibilities
Following training plans as directed and through experience, learn the skills, practical and theoretical knowledge to become a registered Biomedical Scientist. This will also include working with colleagues from Quality and Health and Safety teams.
Perform and interpret routine biomedical investigations by participating in regular daily workloads, under the supervision of an appropriately trained member of staff in your area.
Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC and follow Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.
Compile a portfolio of evidence in line with IBMS requirements ready for verification by external assessors.
Seek advice from more experienced colleagues when reaching the limits of your practice.
Under supervision, participate in development of new tests, as directed, including alignment with accreditation bodies and local management processes, where necessary this will include analysing clinical trial samples.
Observe all safety regulations, this includes raising concerns around safety in the laboratory to the appropriate level.
Ensure compliance with all legislative and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:
• Care Quality Commission
• UKAS
• Synnovis policies and SOPs
• Any other body in area of responsibility
Utilise the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Q-Pulse quality management database and other relevant software to ensure high quality reliable data capture and entry.
Complete data entry accurately to record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long period of concentration whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following Information Governance (IG) guidelines.
Report all incidents and adverse events to management and under supervision enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner.
Participate in quality management activities including inspections and audits, as required.
Prioritise your workload effectively to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible.
Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.
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 Southeast London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in Southeast 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.
The hub is an eight-storey building, and we are working across 10 floors including the ground and lower ground floors. Synnovis’ corporate function operates from the hub on the 8th floor, above the laboratories underneath. This is a total net internal area of almost 10,000m squared across the 10 floors.
Based in Blackfriars, it’s less than a 5 minute walk from Southwark Tube or Blackfriars station and nestled closely to a vast array of entertainment and fabulous places to dine, relax and meet people.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree or equivalent
2. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable criteria
3. Willing to work towards higher levels of education IBMS membership
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail
5. Working as a team
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of working in an immunology laboratory environment
7. Strong team player
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Demonstrates a theoretical understanding of basic physiology, pathology, and scientific principles
9. Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and study
10. Ability to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
11. Awareness of GLP including Health and Safety and Quality
Desirable criteria
12. Knowledge of Immunology analyses
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:
13. Contributory pension scheme
14. Generous annual leave entitlement
15. 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.