About this role
Job summary
Our Virology department is looking for a HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team. The successful applicant will be trained to participate in the weekly bench duties expected of a BMS, as well as wider involvement in quality, training, and health and safety. The successful post holder will be expected to participate in our weekend rota and the on-call rota.
Knowledge and experience of working in a Virology laboratory is essential. Annex 21 will be considered where applicants hold HCPC registration but do not have two years post registration experience and/or do not hold an IBMS specialist diploma in Virology.
Our laboratory benefits from fully automated serology and molecular work solutions that run alongside our specialist molecular work areas, allowing us to put our patients at the heart of an innovative and forward-thinking diagnostic service. If you have the knowledge, skills and an approach that fits with our department then we want to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
This is an opportunity for you to develop practical experience in a variety of diagnostic techniques and equipment, from manual confirmation tests to high throughput serology and molecular automation. You will be responsible for a range of procedures, checking quality control, validating, and authorising results, as well as alerting our clinical team to significant results and following up further tests as appropriate. The successful candidate will be expected to work well within the team and be able to adapt and flex to the service needs. There will be opportunities for personal and professional development within this role and the opportunity to help shape the future of the department.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.
Job description Job responsibilities
To initially assess a patient's needs and appropriate investigations when requests arrive in the laboratory. To perform all routine and advanced scientific work of the Virology Laboratory within set local and national quality assurance guidelines. To report test results to the Clinical Virologist, hospital clinicians and GPs. Ensure the confidentiality of patient records and data according to NHS (Venereal Diseases) Regulations Act 1974, Data Protection Act 1998 and Caldicott Guidelines. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Virology for the better provision of the service to the patient. To perform all laboratory duties diligently and with due care and consideration to the health, safety and welfare of oneself and others. The daily supervision of support staff. To analyse Virology specimens to identify potential pathogens and provide information for treatment and monitoring of a patient's disease status. Provide "at the bench" training of new staff or visitors to a section. Organizes one's own work and makes sure the results that have been produced are validated and properly quality controlled. Technically authorise specialist investigations in Virology where the results from these investigations influence patient care providing diagnosis and prognosis of viral illnesses and monitoring a patients status and need to change anti-viral therapy. Carry out serological testing service where the results provide information on the diagnosis and prognosis of viral illness, diagnosis and treatment outcome of bacterial illnesses. To make sure all the investigations assessed, as necessary for the investigation of a patients condition, are carried out and reported in a timely manner. To be proficient in the use of the specialised equipment used in the department. To bring to the attention of the section leader or duty clinical consultant any results that might be considered as erroneous or "clinically significant". To carry out scheduled internal preventative maintenance on analysers that are being used in their section of work. As required to initiate any first-line remedial action. To report any technical or machine-based non-compliance that occur during the processing of a specimen to the Senior BMS so that appropriate immediate corrective action can be taken and allow release of the results of the investigation. Attending laboratory meeting to keep up to date with developments in each section of the laboratory. To learn the procedures for administration of specimens and pathology-based computer system. Allowing entry of patient details, results entry and searching for patient and specimen details. Notification of stock usage to the laboratory manager or section lead. Maintain state registration and provide management with evidence of such. The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation and participate in the weekend and on call rota. The post holder shall provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues as needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
B.Sc. (Hons) Biomedical Science Degree Certificate of Competence to Practice issued by Institute of biomedical Sciences (This is a post-graduate qualification, which takes a minimum of 12 months to complete and requires portfolio and oral examination by IBMS assessor) HPC registered Post graduate diploma in Virology (or related subject)
Experience Essential
Demonstrable experience of working in a clinical laboratory post HPC Registration. Advanced training in laboratory computer system (iSoft Telepath
Knowledge Essential
Working knowledge underpinned by theoretical knowledge of a variety of serological and advance virology techniques. (Serological analysers, understanding of all types of ELISA techniques, immunoblot assays, Chlamydia Polymerase Chain Reaction and "Real-Time" molecular diagnostics) Detailed understanding of laboratory health and safety issues
Desirable
Knowledge of COSHH and Risk Assessment
Skills Essential
Ability to work alone and as part of a team Ability to concentrate for long periods Ability to organise and prioritise own workload Able to follow written and spoken instructions. Able to act off own initiative To be competent to work unsupervised in all areas of the laboratory Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Computer skills Admin and clerical skills
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).
Employer details Employer name Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Liverpool Clinical Laboratories
Liverpool
L7 8YE
Employer's website https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)