Healthcare Scientist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job description

We are recruiting for a senior healthcare scientist, applications are welcomed from both those eligible for a Clinical Scientist (Band 7) or Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 7). This permanent full-time post is an opportunity for an accomplished, enthusiastic scientist to join a friendly and dedicated team in a specialist biochemistry service based at King's College Hospital.

The Biochemical Genetics Unit (BGU) forms part of the Synnovis Reference Chemistry Services. The majority of the work in BGU is white cell enzymes testing with the aim of diagnosing lysosomal storage disorders, other assays include Tay Sachs carrier testing, urine glycosaminoglycans and oligosaccharides, galactosaemia, and testing for some other inherited metabolic disorders (IMD). The department also has a cell culture section, where cells are cultured from skin biopsies. The cells can be stored long-term or used for more esoteric testing. The lab is also equipped to carry out some prenatal diagnosis.

This position would suit a candidate who has an interest in inherited metabolic diseases and ideally enjoys working in the laboratory and performing more unusual and esoteric tests. The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of a small friendly team participating in MDT meetings and contributing to the training and development of their colleagues. Extensive prior knowledge of lysosomal storage diseases is not expected as full training will be given.

Main duties of the job

We provide a wide repertoire of tests, most of which are manual or semi-automated utilising radioactive and non-radioactive techniques. We provide services predominately for the South East of London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and referred samples from UK and abroad.

The main duties and responsibilities of the role are:

• Participation in the lab work including development of new assays/techniques
• Participation in the duty scientist rota including attending the weekly MDT meetings
• Supervision of junior staff including helping to troubleshoot when required
• Checking and interpretation of results, writing and authorising reports
• Helping with the organisation of participation in EQA schemes
• Assisting in the training of junior staff/visitors
• Assisting with auditing, quality, health and safety
• Ensuring that the equipment is well-maintained

We are UKAS accredited and host STP trainees in order that they can complete the relevant part of their training in IMD. We have also hosted clinicians where they have wanted to gain an insight into what is involved in our lab testing.

The BGU workforce is an Operations Lead, and a small team comprising Clinical and Biomedical Scientists and technical staff. We work closely together, and every staff member is valued for the contribution they make to providing our service.

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.

Who we are

Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality.

This role sits within Synnovis Analytics, which is responsible for the provision of Pathology testing services to Synnovis patients and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Clinical Scientist/Biomedical Scientist.
• Perform laboratory tests in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), data analysis/reporting and authorisation of results.
• Perform necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
• Provide specialist expertise and technical advice to other laboratory and clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency.
• Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, being responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, including all verification and validation work. Where necessary this may include analysing clinical trial samples.
• Ensure all non-conformances and RADAR incidents are correctly reported by junior staff in Q-Pulse quality management database and other relevant software and support them in learning quality procedures and investigations.
• In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q-Pulse. This may include taking part in investigations of incidents and providing expert insight into making improvements based on outcomes.
• Monitor, and report on EQA and IQC procedures and be responsible for corrective action on problems that have been identified.
• 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.
• Develop, prepare, write, and review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard.
• Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment.
• Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
• Attend, and where required, chair regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Work closely with Principal Biomedical Scientist to ensure stock inventory compliance.
• Deputise for the Principal Biomedical Scientist including attendance at meetings, as required.
• Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.

Purpose of Job

This role is key to the delivery of Clinical Science as part of the laboratory team in Synnovis. Reporting to the Principal Biomedical Scientist, you will have a high level of responsibility, including training, management of EQA/IQC processes and research to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

What you will do

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Day-to-day responsibility for the provision of a range of clinical, technical and scientific diagnostic activities, including interpretation and clinical validation of results; communicating complex information and advice that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis.
• Supervise and provide specialised training to less experienced employees, students, trainees and other healthcare professionals
• Undertake research in your own field under the direction of more senior clinical scientist colleagues, contributing to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery.
• Participate in research activities and publications; attend and present at regional, national and international meetings.
• Spend a proportion of time focused on quality and UKAS orientated activities, service development and technical and clinical validation of results.

Key Responsibilities for Clinical Scientist

• Communicate complex results, including making clinical and differential judgements involving complicated facts or situations that impact on patients. This will include exchanging specialist information with colleagues from your own and other disciplines.
• Keep up to date with new developments by regular literature reviews and attendance at relevant conferences.
• Undertake research projects in specialised area in collaboration or as requested by Principal Biomedical Scientist. Ensure outcomes from research and development are placed in the public domain by publication and presentation at relevant local, national and international conferences.
• Participate in appropriate clinical audits and take part in all Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activity in your area.
• Prepare statistical reports for use in meetings, quality assurance, and development events.
• Provide supervision for employees, including participating in the departmental clinical rota, potentially including out of hours cover.
• Deliver training and supervision of less experienced colleagues in your area of specialism.

Purpose of the Job

This role delivers specialist biomedical investigations and provides first line people management as part of the laboratory team in Synnovis. Reporting to the Principal BMS or Operations Manager, you will have a high level of responsibility, including leading in an area of expertise, to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

What you will do

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for a specialist area, providing specialised technical scientific services and communicating complex information that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis.
• Contribute to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery.
• Manage day-to-day staffing with the Operations Manager to ensure all resourcing needs are met, manage workflow and relevant training to meet turnaround times, cover bench work and where required supervise others as part of early or late or weekend shifts.
• Take part in other activities such as audits, training, and potentially clinical trials as required.

Key Responsibilities for Biomedical Scientist

• Analyse samples in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to recording results and necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
• Participate in appropriate clinical audits as required and directed.
• Provide supervision for all employees, including participating in early, late and weekend shifts if necessary and as required.
• Line manages employees, as required. This includes delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate ongoing laboratory-based competency against training plans.

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.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Specialist portfolio in relevant discipline or equivalent experience (if HCPC Registration via IBMS Portfolio route) or FIBMS
• HCPC State registration as a Clinical or Biomedical Scientist
• MSc in relevant scientific subject, or FIBMS
• Quality or Management qualification
• IBMS membership (BMS)
• Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice (such as FRCPath Part 1 or PhD for Clinical Scientist)

Experience

• Experience in and ability to perform and supervise analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results.
• Experience of supervising junior employees
• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, co-ordinating and managing a team
• Involvement in research and development projects
• Experience of working in a metabolic biochemistry lab

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to manage effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities
• Competent at communicating verbally and in writing with colleagues, clinical staff and external parties
• Ability to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
• Good awareness of current issues within pathology locally and nationally
• Awareness and understanding of current trends in field of expertise

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 £54,320 to £60,981 per annum depending on experience