Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level (XR03)

Integrated Care System; Leeds; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Leeds seeks a Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level to supervise staff and prepare clinical diagnostic specimens. This role requires previous laboratory experience and A-level education in sciences. You will perform complex technical investigations and contribute to high-quality genomic services in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory work is essential.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures.
• Basic computer skills are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train Biomedical Support Workers.
• Collect and prepare clinical diagnostic specimens.
• Perform complex clinical technical investigations.

Skills

Communication

Laboratory procedures

Teamwork

Education

A-level in sciences or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory computer system

Complex laboratory equipment

Job description

Biomedical Support Worker - Higher Level (XR03)

Weare looking for talented and dynamic individuals to join the genomics teamwithin the central laboratory of the Yorkshire and North East GenomicLaboratory Hub. The role will be based within the Haematological MalignancyDiagnostic Service (HMDS) in Leeds, with a focus on haemato-oncologymolecular work. This is an opportunity to become part of a highly successfuldepartment with extensive facilities and high levels of scientific expertise.The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development and delivery ofa high-quality genomics service. The post holders will work scientists, bothwithin HMDS and across the central laboratory at Leeds.

Pleasenote that this advert may close early if there is a high volume ofapplicants.

Expected ShortlistingDate

02/09/2025

Planned InterviewDate

11/09/2025

Main duties of the job

HMDSprovides a specialist service for the diagnosis of blood cancers and is partof the central laboratory for the Yorkshire and North East Genomic LaboratoryHub. The laboratory is the largest of its type in the United Kingdom with ahigh throughput of specimens including peripheral blood, bone marrow andtissue biopsies. The department also has a strong research programme andthere will also be opportunity to be involved in development projects relatedto research and clinical trials.

About us

Thepurpose of this role is to co-ordinate collection and receipt of samples forgenomic testing and assist in the processing of those samples in preparationfor testing. The successful candidateswill be required to deliver a range of complex and detailed work in a busyworking laboratory. Previous experience of working in a laboratory isessential and the role would be suited to someone looking for additionalchallenge or wanting to progress further with a career in laboratory science.

LeedsTeaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job advertsare subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or removeadverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in theshortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while thisprocess is completed, and contact the named contact if you have anyquestions.

Job responsibilities

JOBPURPOSE

Tobe responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical SupportWorkers within the section

Tocollect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnosticspecimens for testing

To undertake routine and morecomplex clinical technical investigations, following standard operatingprocedures, some of which may be under supervision

Tocommunicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff

JOBDIMENSIONS

Asa Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of thedepartmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform arange of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be underthe supervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff. You willgain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provisionof an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to applyprofessional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex andsometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, eitherindependently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required toorganise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicateinformation, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues,healthcare staff and other organisations.

KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Inorder to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will havesuccessfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or otherequivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further yourknowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, inhouse training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuousprofessional development (CPD). Inaddition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.

7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Inorder to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able todemonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:

to gain new knowledge throughexperience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes

to become an integral member of ateam providing a clinical technical service

to work independently when and asdirected by supervisors

to communicate clearly andeffectively whether orally, graphically or electronically

to plan the designated workload andassist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers

to work with precision and followaccurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

to operate highly complexlaboratory equipment safely and efficiently

to input and extract patient datafrom the laboratory computer system

to demonstrate relevant tasks toothers as appropriate

to contribute actively towards theimprovement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions withother team members

to remain competent in establishedprocedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.

to participate actively in thedepartmental appraisal scheme

to take account of changes inservice delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Asthe job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

- Carry out a range of basic and morecomplex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe andeffective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand theneed to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.

- Participate actively indepartmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level ofknowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levelsof quality have not been met.

- Participate in the maintenance of asafe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazardsassociated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitableactions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazardsinclude fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled anduncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

- Maintain patient confidentiality.You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive informationthat is related to patient care.

- Observe the requirements ofdepartmental policies relating to service provision, for example samplelabelling and adverse event reporting.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OFRESPONSIBILITY

- To perform, sometimes undersupervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that areconsistent with the job holders level of knowledge, skills and experience.

- To develop your competences in thedepartment and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance withdepartmental standard operating procedures.

- To participate in departmentalresearch and development projects, audit processes and support appropriateclinical trials involving the laboratory

- To enter, manage and retrievepatient information using the laboratory computer system.

- To communicate accurately sensitiveand complex information to users of the service in a manner that is inaccordance with departmental procedures

- To demonstrate relevant job relatedtasks to new or more junior staff

- To actively participate in thelaboratory quality assurance programme

- To contribute to generaldepartmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receiptand control of consumables

Person Specification

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures