About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated individual with laboratory experience to join the Blood Sciences Clinical Laboratory at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, part of Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services, one of the UK's largest pathology networks.
The successful candidate will have specialist knowledge in Blood Sciences (Haematology, Blood Transfusion and/or Biochemistry), experience in laboratory operations, and strong leadership and communication skills to support and manage junior staff. You will also help maintain UKAS ISO 15189:2022 and MHRA accreditation through active participation in the laboratory's quality management system.
As the laboratory moves towards full multidisciplinary working, you will receive training across Haematology, Coagulation, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry, and will be expected to work across all disciplines. The laboratory is equipped with Abbott Alinity H & CI, ACL TOP 550 and Immucor NEO Iris analysers. Experience with these systems is desirable but not essential. The laboratory is ISO 15189:2022 and MHRA accredited and holds IBMS training status.
Following competency assessment, you will participate in a 24/7 shift rota and may be required to work at other Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services sites to support service, training and quality requirements.
Main duties of the job
To perform the initial screening and further investigation of diagnostic tests producing complex quality diagnostic results in order to aid patient treatment and care.
To acquire and maintain multidisciplinary skills to enable the performing of
Biochemistry and Haematology tests and delivering Blood Transfusion services in a multidisciplinary environment.
Being trained to undergraduate knowledge level and hold an IBMS Specialist diploma in a Blood Sciences or individual discipline and being trained to local competency in the complimentary disciplines (Biochemistry/Haematology/ Blood Transfusion).
To use these specialist and generalist skills, along with complex analysers and IT solutions in order to deliver a quality service to our users.
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.
We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley.
We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.
To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Job description Job responsibilities
Personnel & Training
a) To participate in the training of staff. To supervise and aid in the development of trainee BMSs and support workers, such as MLA grades, and direct their duties as requested by senior staff.
b) To support and mentor junior staff as part of a culture of CPD and staff development.
c) To work in an efficient and effective manner, organising own work and that of others as appropriate.
d) As part of the Blood Sciences team, to participate in the multidisciplinary training of all Blood Sciences staff. Through group or individual teaching or training sessions so that all Blood Sciences staff attain competency in techniques as required.
e) To rotate throughout the various sections of the department where appropriate to maintain competencies.
f) To ensure standards of performance and competence are maintained. To report to the Senior BMS where your performance has fallen below required competence due to inexperience or gap in rotation, etc. To perform remedial training to correct competence.
g) To participate in job/work experience and recruiting schemes by representing the Trust, Department and Profession at and within these events.
h) To attend external meetings and courses and represent the department at those meetings as appropriate.
i) To use knowledge gained on courses and training to add to the service delivery and to disseminate that knowledge to others as directed by senior staff.
j) To attain and maintain multidisciplinary competence in the other specialisms of Blood Sciences to the required levels in order to participate in the shift rota as a multidisciplinary BMS.
k) To participate in cross site working as directed by the Lead BMS team and
General Manager.
l) To participate in the Trust appraisal system.
m) To maintain personal professional competency and professionalism following
recognised CPD routes and attending courses as appropriate and available.
Service Delivery and Quality
a) To monitor stocks and blood as required ensuring a safe and efficient service, informing senior staff when stocks become low.
b) To evaluate new methodologies following established process in order to advance the service and to develop and validate the operating procedures effecting service both within and outside of the Pathology Department.
c) To ensure that results and reports are produced in a timely manner particularly where these results will have an immediate impact on patient care such as an OPD clinic or A&E, thus contributing to meeting both departmental and Trust turnaround times.
d) To enter onto laboratory computer systems own and others test result data by either electronic transfer or manually.
e) To enter patient ID and request profiles according to sample reception protocols and procedures.
f) To monitor and maintain all equipment to departmental guidelines and direct/ monitor other grades as appropriate in this maintenance, alerting line manager when problems occur, communicating the troubleshooting you have performed.
g) To attend departmental meetings and to positively contribute to departmental communication and development. Where appropriate to represent the department or staff at meetings.
h) To attend blood sciences group meetings and to contribute positively to its aims and actions.
i) To attend other external meetings as a BSPS representative as required and when staffing levels permit.
j) To work as part of a team, or independently, producing accurate diagnostic results.
k) To authorise, analyse and interpret diagnostic results and report them using judgement and departmental guidelines to refer to Medical and senior staff as required. Requesting further investigations as necessary within departmental guidelines.
l) To participate in on-going clinical trials and audits as appropriate.
m) To follow Standard Operating Procedures in accordance to departmental guidelines.
n) To participate in the Quality management system (QMS) by raising non-conformances in accordance to BSPS guidelines and performing audits where required.
o) To ensure abnormal results are communicated to the relevant clinician/department as per guidelines.
p) To fully participate in all aspects of the service including both the routine and non-core hours service.
q) To cooperate with other Pathology staff to ensure the efficient provision of the service.
r) To maintain skills in accuracy and precision (e.g. microscopy, pipetting) and to use them in order to produce high quality results.
s) To participate in Departmental internal and external Quality Assurance schemes inclusive of audits.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc or equivalent qualification in Biomedical Sciences HCPC registration IBMS Specialist diploma in either Biochemistry or Haematology/Blood Transfusion
Desirable
Evidence of further qualifications such as an MSc
Skills, Knowledge & Experience Essential
Understanding of Health and Safety issues including COSHH Experienced in analysing complex data and writing associated reports Experience in a Blood Sciences laboratory working at a specialist level Experience in maintaining an effective quality management system
Desirable
Training in use of laboratory IT systems Experience and training in the development, writing and delivery Standard Operating Procedures Experience in training and overseeing junior 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 (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Surrey County Hospital
Egerton Road
Guildford
GU2 7XX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)