Job overview
Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
We are seeking outstanding individuals to join the UK’s leading and fastest-growing pathology organisation – a scientific service with a clear clinical purpose. Working in partnership with our service partners at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals and King’s College Hospital, as well as supporting our Synnovis Hub in Blackfriars, we are committed to setting the standard for the future of pathology.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Haematology Department at our modern facility based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), located just 20 minutes south of London.
This role operates on a 24/7 shift pattern. While primarily based at PRUH, the successful candidate will be expected to provide cross-site support at King’s College Hospital as required, in line with Blood Sciences Laboratory (BSL) service needs.
Although PRUH is geographically classified as an outer London site, this role attracts the higher-rate London weighting (20%).
We are looking for a proactive, motivated, and enthusiastic Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in routine Haematology and Coagulation, along with a strong understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and associated quality processes.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, you will be responsible for undertaking delegated duties to support the delivery of a high-quality, fit-for-purpose laboratory service. This role is integral to ensuring efficient and effective patient care, alongside the appropriate management of resources within the Blood Sciences Laboratory.
The successful candidate will be expected to work across the core sub-disciplines of General Haematology. You must be HCPC registered and have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Haematology and Blood Transfusion or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience. A strong background in morphology is essential, along with a proactive approach and willingness to contribute fully to the service.
The laboratory is accredited to ISO 15189 standards and is an IBMS-approved training centre for both Registration and Specialist Portfolios in Haematology, providing a supportive and structured environment for professional development.
Our laboratories are highly automated, utilising Sysmex XN series FBS analysers and Sysmex CS/CN series coagulation analysers connected to EPIC as our LIMS.
Working for our organisation
Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality. We aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.
Your development and learning
You will have access to a comprehensive suite of learning opportunities through “The Synnovis Way” Development Programme, a cornerstone across Synnovis designed to help you unlock your potential, acquire new skills, and achieve your professional goals. Your development will be actively supported and tailored in collaboration with your line manager, ensuring alignment with your personal ambitions and career aspirations.
You will also have the opportunity to apply for funding through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, supporting the development and delivery of innovative ideas that drive service improvement and enhance patient care. This provides a platform to progress new scientific projects from concept to implementation.
In addition, you will be encouraged to engage with the wider scientific community through participation in symposiums, conferences, and peer group forums.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will have a direct and meaningful impact through a range of key responsibilities, including:
Key Responsibilities
·Perform and interpret routine and specialist biomedical investigations by participating in regular daily workloads, as directed by management, in line with your skills, experience and competencies.
·Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
·Provide technical advice to clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency.
·Process specimens and handle sensitive information with care and due diligence, such as patient results, in line with local SOPs.
·Propose and implement changes to SOPs, policies and work practice as required.
·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.
·Participate in verification and validation work when required.
·Day to day supervision of MLAs, APs and BMSs, providing support, training and mentoring to ensure performance is in line with laboratory standards.
·Observe all safety regulations and ensure others are doing the same. This includes holding people to account when standards fall short of expectations and raising concerns about safety in the laboratory.
·Ensure compliance for your area of work 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.
·Participate in quality management activities including inspections, audits, EQA and IQC procedures as required.
·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.
·Work closely with colleagues in the quality team to identify best practice and embed a culture of high quality and performance across your area.
·Report all incidents and adverse events to management and enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner as directed, supervising and assisting junior colleagues with the process.
·Demonstrate ongoing laboratory-based competency against training plans.
·Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
·Prioritise your workload effectively to ensure that deadlines are met, and that work is delivered to the highest standards possible.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree or equivalent
2. HCPC State registration as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable criteria
3. Willing to work towards higher levels of education
4. IBMS membership
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Significant demonstrable broad based discipline specific practical experience
6. Analysing, interpreting and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results
7. Using Laboratory Information Systems
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Demonstrates a sound understanding of the physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism
9. Demonstrates a high degree of skill and knowledge where interpretation of results can be highly subjective
10. Ability to troubleshoot highly technical and precision equipment
11. Competent at communicating verbally and in writing
12. Demonstrable knowledge and application of quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS
13. Demonstrable knowledge and application of health and safety legislation and procedures
Desirable criteria
14. Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and supervising a team
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:
15. Contributory pension scheme
16. Generous annual leave entitlement
17. 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.