Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join their innovative team in Clinical Biochemistry. This role offers the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic lab environment, contributing to vital healthcare services. You will perform complex analyses, maintain high standards, and mentor junior staff while being part of a transformative pathology network. With opportunities for professional development and a focus on quality, this position is perfect for those looking to advance their career in a supportive and collaborative setting. Join us in shaping the future of pathology services!

Benefits

Learning Opportunities

Funding for Advanced Qualifications

Participation in Scientific Symposiums

Support for Innovative Projects

Qualifications

• HCPC registration and completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio required.
• Significant lab experience in Clinical Biochemistry is essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex clinical and technical procedures in the lab.
• Maintain high standards of conduct and provide technical advice.

Skills

Clinical Chemistry

Mass Spectrometry

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Troubleshooting

Time Management

Leadership

Education

BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences

HCPC Registration

IBMS Specialist Portfolio

Tools

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Microsoft Office

Job description

We have a permanent Specialist Biomedical Scientist post (Band 6 AfC equivalent) that offers an exciting opportunity for a HCPC registered BMS to further develop their knowledge and skills in a specialist area of Clinical Biochemistry.

You will be part of a team that provides a highly specialised laboratory service using the latest technologies in the Biochemical Sciences Department (Reference Chemistry) within Reference Services at Synnovis.

This post will be located within the Mass Spectrometry department within Biochemical Sciences, delivering specialised testing including Immunosuppressant Drug Monitoring. The post holder will also have the opportunity to rotate to other sections.

The post holder will be required to work cross site at Kings College Hospital and participate in the weekend and bank holiday rota.

Please Note: Applicants must have HCPC registration and completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry or an equivalent qualification. Consideration will be given to experienced Biomedical Scientist who is nearing completion of their specialist portfolio. Where this is the case, the postholder will be initially taken on as a band 5 and will progress automatically into the band 6 position once the specialist portfolio has been successfully completed.

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, the post holder is responsible for performing a range of complex clinical and technical procedures. They will have a relevant undergraduate degree (i.e. BSc Hons Biomedical Science including HCPC registered) and will have also completed a higher qualification (IBMS Specialist Portfolio). They will have advanced experience in Clinical Chemistry, including the performance of automated, semi-automated and complex manual assays.

The post holder will undertake analytical, technical and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery where required.

Our laboratories are currently split between several rooms across two floors within St Thomas Hospital, with one Mass Spectrometry Satellite Laboratory based at King's College Hospital.

The Biochemical Science laboratories currently based at St Thomas hospital are currently in the process of relocating to the new Friars Court Hub laboratory situated in Blackfriars, therefore the post holder may be expected to work across St Thomas, King's College Hospital and Blackfriars sites during this relocation period.

About us

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development 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.

Job 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. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with 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.

• 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.
• Perform reference chemistry tests to a high standard and maintain working knowledge of their scientific principles.
• Perform manual sample extraction techniques (solvent extraction, protein precipitation) prior to loading samples onto the analysers for analysis.
• Perform post-analytical technical checks to ensure result accuracy.
• 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.
• Routine operation of specialist clinical chemistry equipment, specifically operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of Mass Spectrometry platforms (LC-MS/MS, GCMS).
• Undertake daily, weekly and monthly preventative maintenance of analysers.
• Troubleshooting of specialist analysers, with real-time reporting of failures to a senior member of staff.
• 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 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 when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
• Effective communication with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• 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.
• Be proactive in escalating any possible issues that may impact on service delivery to senior colleagues.
• Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork.

And:

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences
• HCPC state registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio, or equivalent experience or FIBMS
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• IBMS membership
• Willing to work towards higher levels of education

Experience

• Significant laboratory experience in a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory
• Experience of analysing, interpreting and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results
• Experience performing manual assays
• Using Laboratory Information Systems
• Experience of laboratory troubleshooting (IQC, EQA, equipment)
• Experience in mass spectrometry and chromatography
• Experience with sample preparation techniques such as solvent extraction and protein precipitation Working alone as part of out of hours service

Skills & Knowledge

• Good level of knowledge of routine and specialist clinical biochemistry laboratory tests and sample types
• Basic use of Microsoft Office programs
• Demonstratable knowledge and application of quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS
• Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and others and able to plan activities within area of work
• Ability to work as part of a team and work independently and autonomously
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, including communicating technical information and results with other healthcare professionals
• Proactive with good attention to detail
• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and supervising a team

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.

Depending on experience £44,806 to £53,134 per annum depending on experience