Biomedical Scientist- Microbiology inPLYMOUTH inPLYMOUTH PUBLISHED
THU 24 OCT 2024
The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust seeks a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist for its diagnostic Microbiology laboratory, which processes over 500,000 samples annually and is UKAS accredited. Applicants should have demonstrated experience in similar settings and will rotate through various laboratory sections, including a Molecular facility. The role involves examining clinical samples to diagnose infections and making critical diagnostic decisions, sometimes independently during night and weekend shifts.
Key responsibilities include performing microbiological analyses, maintaining high professional standards, prioritizing urgent work, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, participating in quality assurance programs, and assisting in training new staff and trainees. The position requires working with high-risk samples and adapting to emerging techniques. Full-time hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:30 with extended shifts and participation in rotas for weekends and bank holidays.
Candidates applying from abroad must meet specific criteria and a minimum salary requirement of £38,700. Continuous professional development is encouraged, along with participation in audits and quality improvement initiatives. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong analytical skills and contribute to clinical trials and research efforts as required.
Applicants must be HCPC state registered and have demonstrable experience of working in a diagnostic Microbiology laboratory.
The Department has over 60 staff and processes over 500,000 samples per year. It has UKAS accreditation and is recognised IBMS training laboratory. The applicant will rotate through the all sections of the laboratory and the Molecular facility in UHP Estover. They will be expected to examine a wide range of clinical samples from patients, in order to determine the laboratory diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of infection due to bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Staff are encouraged to further their own development and assist with CPD related activities. The laboratory is well equipped and is fully computerised.
It is a full-time post 09:00-17:30 Monday to Friday; with extended working days (early 8am, core, late shifts up to 10pm and nightshifts from 10pm-8am). Participation in a weekend rota, bank holiday rota and on call once trained is expected. All weekend work is paid at an enhanced rate as per Agenda for Change.
When applying from abroad then applicants must qualify as a new entrant to the labour market because they meet one of the following requirements and meet the minimum salary requirements £38,700:
- be under the age of 26 on the date they apply for entry clearance or permission to stay, be sponsored for a job in a UK Regulated Profession and be working towards a recognised professional qualification for that profession
To perform microbiological analysis of biological samples including blood, urine, faeces, cerebral spinal fluid and other clinical samples, taking personal responsibility for the quality of the results, which are used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious disease, and the detection and monitoring of hospital and community-based outbreaks of infection.
Maintain a high standard of professional knowledge and competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out at bench level.
To make diagnostic decisions of infection and treatment options, based on microscopic findings, the analysis of bacterial culture plates, and the subsequent assessment of bacterial susceptibility tests, which requires in depth knowledge, experience, expertise and judgement.
When working alone at night or at weekends, eg. when on-call, to carry out essential investigations and make critical diagnostic decisions unsupervised, and with no on-site back-up or reference point.
To work, if required, with high-risk samples and cultures, at Containment Level 3, and to be aware when circumstances arise necessitating the move of normal laboratory investigations (Containment Level 2) to a higher containment level.
To have sufficient knowledge and competence to work on rotation in all bacteriology and serology sections of the laboratory as required.
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To be prepared to train in the use of new and emerging techniques and procedures, eg. molecular.
The post holder will demonstrate the high level of skill to perform complex manual, semi-automated and automated analytical techniques as applicable, meeting turnaround times with prompt reporting of results used in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The post holder will be required to provide complex information relating to test results, which may be sensitive in nature.
As a state registered Scientist with the Health Professions Council to understand the pathology of infectious disease in relationship to the results produced, with reference to the normal findings, whilst understanding their significance for patient treatment and welfare.
Will be aware of the clinical significance of results produced and using this knowledge to perform appropriate supplementary tests/investigations relevant to providing a complete report to requesting clinicians.
To prioritise work and perform urgent analyses, reporting results promptly to requesting clinicians as appropriate.
Identify abnormal or unexpected results and ensure prompt reporting, follow up and referral to medical staff, and to other reporting bodies, as required.
Following protocols, request additional tests or samples to aid in the diagnosis or treatment of disease.
To understand the principles underlying the analytical processes used in your area of work so as to maintain their operation and quality of results.
To receive request forms, and accompanying samples, to decide on the appropriate investigations by understanding and interpreting the clinical information provided, to prepare samples and reagents for analysis, inoculate culture medium and set up tests as required.
Answer telephone enquiries regarding results and other general laboratory issues e.g. giving advice on the correct conditions and sample type for a particular test request.
To operate analytical equipment within your section, within your discipline and within the department, some of which will be highly complex and require specialist training.
To be aware of faults and problems that may occur in the day-to-day use of analysers and expensive automated equipment e.g. multichannel analysers.
To participate in and understand the quality assurance programs of the department, both internal and external i.e. NEQAS (National External Quality Assurance Schemes).
To observe all departmental, Trust, national and European Health & Safety regulations relevant to the service, ensuring attendance at the annual departmental H&S update. In addition all staff must sign the departmental H&S policy to acknowledge understanding and compliance.
To continually update their knowledge and skills whilst documenting this in their Continuing Professional Development folder.
To have a basic understanding of the departments computer systems, and to be able, if required to use Microsoft Word and Excel software.
To assist senior colleagues in the maintenance of adequate stocks of reagents and consumables to ensure continuous service provision.
To follow Standard Operating Procedures if appropriate, contribute to their formulation, and propose any changes, in order to maintain the quality of the service and maximise efficiency.
To attend meetings and training courses as necessary.
To attend Statutory and Essential Update Training annually.
To assist in the process of continual quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes.
To participate in an annual appraisal and achieve any targets set at this time.
To participate in the training of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and new staff.
To assist senior staff in the supervision of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Assistant Technical Officers.
To assist in audit carried out by the Quality Manager, internal and external agencies.
As part of a team, contribute to the continuous improvement program of the Pathology service.
Participate in clinical trials or any research & development undertaken by the department, including sample preparation, analysis and collating data as necessary.
At the direction of senior departmental staff undertake work from any source commensurate with the knowledge and skills of a state registered Biomedical Scientist.
Ensure issues and problems are resolved satisfactorily and referred through your line management structure as appropriate.
Be prepared to work on your own when necessary.
To assist in validation and verification of new tests and their write up.
To carry out other duties commensurate with the post.
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