About this role
Job summary
The Pathology Department at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust currently has vacancy for an enthusiastic, innovative, quality driven, Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the automated Biochemistry department. Our modern and well-equipped department processes more than 7 million diagnostic tests per annum on state of the art analytical platforms.
Applications are invited from applicants who are suitably qualified and have HCPC registration and a completed specialist portfolio in clinical biochemistry or relevant Masters degree. We also invite applications from candidates who are working towards completion of their specialist portfolio in clinical biochemistry. If a successful candidate has not completed their specialist portfolio, the post will be offered under Agenda for Change Annex 21 arrangements until the portfolio is completed.
The Biochemistry department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory which has state of the art pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical automated systems.
The post holder will assist Senior Biomedical scientists in overseeing day-to-day running of the lab, with supervisory responsibility over Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.
Main duties of the job
o The post holder will be a part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers delivering a high quality biochemistry service 24/7 based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.o The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies.o The post holder will participate in all quality activitieso The post holder will be required to train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies.o The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities to comply with national standards e.g. UKAS, MHRA.o The post holder will be required to lead new processes through the change control.o The post holder will be required to deputise for senior BMS in their absence.o The post holder will be required to carry out complex troubleshooting of equipment and results.o The post holder will be required to manage staff rosters.o The post holder will be required to mentor / supervise staff undertaking their IBMS registration portfolio.o The post holder will be required to investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process.
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
General Responsibilities Undertake clinical biochemistry investigations using automated and manual analytical techniques as appropriate to relevant banding and competencies. Carry out complex troubleshooting of equipment and results liaising with manufacturers and engineers where appropriate. Participate in all quality activities. Investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process. To train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies Undertake responsibilities to comply with national standards e.g. UKAS, MHRA. To mentor / supervise staff undertaking their IBMS specialist portfolio. To lead new processes through the change control. Deputise for senior BMS in their absence. Planning and managing staff rosters. Support the effective day-to-day running of the laboratory. Respond appropriately to changing service demands. Participate in the departmental rota including weekends, bank holidays and nights.
People/Management Excellence Take responsibility for own personal development and take an active part in learning opportunities. Maintain a portfolio to demonstrate continuing professional development to comply with HCPC requirements. Assist in the training and development of colleagues of any grade in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible. Attend an annual personal development review (appraisal) with their manager. Complete all mandatory and role specific training.
Service improvement Make suggestions how services can be improved for the users and propose service development improvements to the appropriate team manager. Maintaining a flexible approach to the post in order to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns and requirements. Support other members of the team in implementing change. Participate in service evaluation. Participate in the introduction of new techniques and equipment into the department.
Communication Communicate in a manner that is consistent with legislation policies and procedures. Communicate effectively with all members of the Pathology staff, clinicians, and visitors to the department. Be aware of possible barriers to communication and how to overcome them. Deal sensitively with patient/ clinician enquiries in stressful situations. Ensure confidentiality of all written verbal and electronic information. Keep accurate and complete records in line with legislation, policies and procedures. Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, referring on appropriate specialist request for information outside their area of responsibility. Be able to use all relevant forms of communication. Attend and participate in departmental meetings where required. Maintain and promote the professional image.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring Comply with good work practices in accordance with the standards of the departments Quality Management System, UKAS and any other accreditation, regulatory and legislative bodies. Store and use reagents according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures. Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures. Recognise when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods and inform appropriate senior Biomedical Scientist staff. Work within limits of their own competence referring issues beyond those limits to a senior member of staff. Participate in audits as required by senior staff of the department. Refer to senior biomedical scientist staff in the case of incidents which put health and safety or the quality of specimens at risk.
Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications Essential
Completion of or working towards IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry/MSc in relevant subject HCPC Registration
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Suitable level of post-registration experience in a hospital clinical biochemistry laboratory Technical understanding of analytical platforms and clinical understanding of results Experience of IQC and EQA review and troubleshooting Knowledge of quality management systems including UKAS accreditation requirements
Desirable
Experience with analytical equipment currently used in the department Experience of training/mentoring junior staff Experience of deputising for senior staff
Skills Essential
Able to prioritise workload and work effectively under pressure Ability to make appropriate decisions and resolve routine operational problems independently Excellent written and verbal communication skills Competent IT skills including Microsoft office and laboratory IT systems
Personal qualities Essential
Strong team-working ethic Flexible and adaptable to changing service needs
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 Northampton General Hospital
Address University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)