Biomedical Scientist

The place to work in pathology

We are looking for top talent to join the UK's leading and fastest growing pathology company - a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, King's College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.

Job overview

Are you looking to advance your career and specialise in Clinical Biochemistry? Would you like to improve your manual skills and gain hands-on experience in mass spectrometry?

We have a 12 month maternity cover post for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6 AfC equivalent) but will also consider band 5 applicants. This offers an exciting opportunity for HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists wanting 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 at St Thomas' Hospital.

The post is based in the Inherited Metabolic Disease and Newborn Screening Laboratory.

The post holder will primarily be working in the Inherited Metabolic Disease and Newborn Screening Laboratories, which provide a variety of screening, diagnostic and monitoring assays on LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, ELISA and Real-Time PCR platforms. Within this role, you will also work closely with our clinical scientist teams providing a unique insight into the management of patients diagnosed with various metabolic diseases.

The post holder will also work in the Immunosuppressive Drug Monitoring Department based at Kings College Hospital, providing therapeutic drug monitoring using LC-MS/MS platforms. The post holder will also be required to participate in the Immunosuppressant weekend and bank holiday rota.

Please Note: Applicants must have HCPC registration and completed either the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for the Band 6 position.

Band 5 applications will also be considered but applicants must be HCPC registered.

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; accountable for their own actions and for staff that they direct or supervise. Most frequently are regulated practitioners that have specialised or taken on more senior responsibilities. They will have a relevant undergraduate degree (i.e. BSc Hons Biomedical Science including HCPC registered) and have also completed a higher qualification (i.e. MSc in relevant subject or 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.

The Biochemical Sciences Department is an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory comprised of a team of approximately 60 Scientists and Support Staff. Our laboratories are split between several rooms across two floors within St Thomas Hospital. Although the department is comprised of four laboratories the teams work closely together to ensure the highest quality of patient care.

Our Department focuses on not only maintaining excellent standards but also striving to improve our standards and ways of working, all with the patient in mind; this might include introducing a new piece of cutting-edge equipment, streamlining a current process with an innovative IT procedure or bringing sample testing to the patients' home.

Working for our organisation

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's 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.

This post is based in the Biochemical Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital.

Your development and learning

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 and 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Core Responsibilities of the role are summarised below:

1. Technical

1. Use laboratory information system according to protocols.
2. Assist in accurate and precise sample preparation of a complex nature and allocate testing procedures accordingly.
3. Undertake accurate and precise data entry and technical validation of results on laboratory computer system.
4. Analyse and make judgments on complex scientific issues on a range of options including anomalous test results which requires frequent periods of concentration.
5. In accordance with Departmental protocol, authorise results, request additional testing and add appropriate clinical comments.
6. Perform analytical tests to a high standard and maintain working knowledge of their scientific principles.
7. Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff.

2. Scientific

1. To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Operations Manager/Section Lead.
2. To participate in the introduction of new equipment or methods to the department.

3. Clinical

1. To interpret laboratory results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory policies and procedures. E.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and approved pre-defined clinically relevant comments, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significant results.

4. Laboratory Informatics

1. Effectively communicate laboratory result which may be of a complex and/or sensitive nature, to internal and external clients, as per departmental protocol.
2. Ensure laboratory record keeping is accurate and in compliance with accreditation standards.
3. Input patient results onto laboratory computer system.
4. To use information systems, specialist and general software, in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services.

5. General

1. Work and operate effectively within the Biochemical Sciences Quality Management System.
2. Must maintain HCPC registration and participate in Continued Professional Development.
3. Prioritise workload to manage emergency and urgent work according to protocol.
4. Ensure standards as required by the ISO 15189 are maintained and where possible improved upon.
5. Participate in internal and external quality assurance programmes.
6. Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork.
7. Observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policy.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences.
• State registration (Health and Care Professions Council).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS).
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio or MSc or equivalent specialist qualification.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous laboratory experience in a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory.
• Experience of working with automated and semi-automated Biochemistry pre-analytical and analytical systems.
• Experience performing manual assays.
• Experience of laboratory troubleshooting (IQC, EQA, equipment).
• Experience using QMS (including documentation and error logging).

Desirable criteria

• Experience with sample preparation techniques such as solvent extraction and protein precipitation.
• Experience in mass spectrometry and chromatography.
• Experience in molecular techniques such as RT-PCR.
• Working alone as part of out of hours service.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good level of knowledge of general clinical biochemistry laboratory tests and sample types.
• Basic use of Microsoft Office programs and a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• 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.
• Previous experience using QMS (e.g. QPulse).
• Aware of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of specialized biochemistry tests and sample types.
• Problem solving.
• Interest in working in Newborn Screening and Inherited Metabolic Diseases.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ground breaking development opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Please apply for this post online. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email recruitment@synnovis.co.uk

Your e-mail address is important to us. We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.

Thank you for your interest in Synnovis.