Senior Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Worcester; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job description

Senior Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

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Job Summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our busy, friendly team to work in our Microbiology laboratory. Applications are invited from experienced HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientists.

The laboratory is based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and is ISO 15189 and IBMS training status accredited.
The vacancy is for a Band 7 senior Microbiologist (Full time 37.5 hours) including Weekend and Bank Holiday shifts. There may also be the requirement to work some late (12-8pm) early (8-4Pm) and on call shifts.

The successful applicant will be applying for the position of technical lead and will be expected to provide expert technical support for the diagnostic laboratory work and have a detailed understanding of new and innovative technologies as well as a fully comprehensive understanding of Microbiology. The department is going through a tender process and the Technical lead will be heavily involved in getting equipment verified and implemented into the department.

The successful candidate will have a positive approach to the role. They will be able to demonstrate resilience and have proven leadership skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to seek opportunities for continuous improvement whilst ensuring compliance in a highly regulated service.

Main duties of the job

1. Daily supervise routine and specialised diagnostic investigations on potentially infectious patient and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.
2. Daily supervises and co-ordinates the day-to-day operations of a section or sections of the laboratory, solving complex analytical problems to ensure a high standard of work that is completed in a safe and timely manner.
3. Knows how to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance and when to inform the Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager.
4. Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Senior BMS/Quality Lead and / or Quality Manager.
5. To co-operate with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and Standard Operating Procedures as required.
6. Develop, maintain, and review Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager.

About Us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester. Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our Objectives Are Simple:

• Best services for local people
• Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
• Best use of resources
• Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Date posted

02 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year 2 years at lower band then moving up after 2 years experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9365-25-0302

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD

Job Description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:
To practice as a Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) Registered BMS in accordance with Statutory Regulations, Professional Standards, WAH NHS Trust and local Policies & Procedures including Health & Safety.
To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development and be competent in the performance of tests and investigations undertaken.

Supervise and co-ordinate the day-to-day operations of a component section or sections of the laboratory including General Bacteriology, specialist Containment Level 3 Facility, Environmental, Mycology and Parasitology on a rotational basis.

JOB PURPOSE:

1. Daily supervise routine and specialised diagnostic investigations on potentially infectious patient and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.
2. Frequently handles potentially highly infectious and known highly infectious material in order to perform subjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible for the validity of results.
3. Daily supervises and co-ordinates the day-to-day operations of a section or sections of the laboratory, solving complex analytical problems to ensure a high standard of work that is completed in a safe and timely manner.
4. Knows how to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance and when to inform the Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager.
5. Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Senior BMS/Quality Lead and / or Quality Manager.
6. Daily record and report results, in electronic form and / or verbally, to persons authorized to receive them. Informs Medical staff of significant / urgent results.
7. Daily perform technical validation of electronic reports using DSE prior to release to Medical Microbiologists.
8. Frequently perform tasks that include accuracy, precision and the use and maintenance of specialist equipment.
9. Maintain equipment logs, for the General Bacteriology Section, including maintenance and repair.
10. Participate in the maintenance and revision of Equipment Standard Operating Procedures.
11. Frequently offer specialist technical advice to Medical staff, patients and other service users on validity of results including reference ranges, appropriate specimens / sampling and turnaround times.
12. To participate in induction, training and supervision of AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 BMS and other staff and visitors in all relevant aspects of laboratory work including Health & Safety as directed by the Laboratory Manager.
13. To develop and maintain the Departmental Competency Assessment schemes for Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 & 7 BMS, AP, MLA & DEC staff in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager.
14. To participate in own competency assessment scheme.
15. Participate in personally and perform Trust Personal Development Review (PDR) for AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS and Band 6 BMS staff and inform the Laboratory Manager of any training and development needs.
16. To participate in the sickness management and return to work for all staff sickness.
17. Monitor stocks of kits, reagents and consumables and report supply deficiencies to the appropriate AP and / or Senior BMS.
18. To participate in the maintenance of the Quality Management System including, internal and external quality control and assurance in accordance with UKAS, HCPC, and other Accreditation bodies.
19. To be a nominated Microbiology Audit Officer and conduct audit of vertical, horizontal and examination audits in accordance with the Laboratory Audit Programme.
20. To co-operate with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and Standard Operating Procedures as required.
21. Develop, maintain, and review Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager.
22. To participate in Clinical Trials / Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.
23. Present scientific, technical data and audit data at staff meetings using appropriate communication tools.
24. To assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of staff within line management responsibility.
25. Knows how to respond to a major incident in accordance with Trust Policy.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The post holder will take the lead role in the laboratory providing expert technical support for the diagnostic laboratory work undertaken within the department in accordance with PHE SMIs and best practice.

In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager develop, maintain and organise evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratory's capabilities to work to a high scientific standard.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• Registration with HCPC
• IBMS approved Masters [MSc] degree or IBMS Fellowship
• Member of the IBMS
• IBMS Specialist portfolio

Desirable

• IBMS Higher Specialist Examination
• ILM Level 3 or above (or equivalent)

Skills and Knowledge Essential

• Evidence of ongoing participation in CPD
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills
• Produce accurate and timely work including record keeping
• Computer / keyboard skills
• Conduct Personal Development Reviews
• Supervisory skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of current training requirements of Healthcare Scientists

Personal Qualities Essential

• Must be able to work as part of a team.
• Good leadership and motivational qualities
• Able to work with competing deadlines and manage conflicting demands.
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to organise the section/s work on a day-to-day basis.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Experience Essential

• At least 5 years experience in an NHS Microbiology Laboratory post Specialist Portfolio
• Supervisory experience.
• Training, mentoring and staff development experience
• Experience of working at a senior level within Microbiology.
• Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques.
• Awareness of accreditation requirements and quality management systems.
• Evidence of formal NHS training (e.g.interview/appraisal training, equipment training courses, IT training etc.)
• Understanding of Health and Safety issues within a microbiology laboratory setting

Desirable

• Experience in the recruitment of staff.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 1DD
Employer's website: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust