The post holder will act as a registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, in all sections of microbiology (parasitology, serology, molecular, mycology and bacteriology), who scientifically analyses clinical specimens, interprets the results and generates reports to aid the clinicians in the diagnosis of disease and the presence / absence of infection or colonisation

Applicants must be HCPC registered, hold an IBMS Specialist Portfolio and have extensive post registration experience in a routine diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

The successful applicant must be conscientious and enthusiastic and able to work well as part of a team. They will be primarilty based in the Bacteriology Department.

This is a fixed term contract to cover a 12 month Secondment of 15 hrs per week.

Main duties of the job

The diagnostic work of the department includes examination of urine, faeces, sputum, pus, blood and other fluids and tissues. Investigations include microscopy and culture for bacteria and fungi Serological assays for HIV , Hepatitis B and other viral and infectious diseases Molecular department including Sars-Cov2, and identification of lice , fleas and other parasites. In addition the department participates in mandatory surveillance schemes for MRSA and other healthcare associated infections, infection control, and handles specimens that may be involved in medico-legal proceedings. Environmental work involves testing water and other environmental samples from a broad geographical area covering Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and West Kent.

The departments operate at a minimum of containment Level 2, and have Containment level 3 facilities for work with those agents in Hazard Group 3.

As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist the post holder will undertake a range of complex investigations to assist in the diagnosis of disease, and monitoring of treatment. These investigations include manual, semi-automated and automated techniques on specialised analytical equipment.

The post holder must maintain professional registration, demonstrating high professional standards of knowledge and competency by undertaking personal continuing professional development. They may also participate in the training and development of other staff.

About us

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First. Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

In line with Trust recommendations, to be competent in the use of the information technology systems within the department including the specialist computerised pathology database, the blood culture and serological interfaced computer systems.

To perform initial trouble shooting when undertaking daily duties and know when to inform senior members of staff.

To attend regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.

To communicate with and provide technical advice to biomedical scientists, Consultant Microbiologists, the Infection Control Team, the Head of Service or their deputy and other staff to foster close intersectional relationships.

To deal promptly with patient enquiries as and when they occur. This involves liasing with patients, General Practitioners or their deputies, Consultants, Doctors, Nurses and Reference Laboratory facilities.

To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and observe the Caldicott principles.

Service Delivery and Improvement

To scientifically analyse clinical specimens for evidence of infectious disease or immunity levels.

To generate pathology reports, with a high level of accuracy and presentation, which may include interpretative comments and/or suggestion of further pathology investigations, aiding the clinician in making a diagnosis and/or patient management. To be accountable for reports which may be issued to the clinician/service user without verification from a Consultant Microbiologist.

In conjunction with the Head of Service or their deputy and other senior staff, to maintain and develop laboratory services in line with Directorate and Trust.

To analyse clinical specimens in all sections of the department including operations at moderate risk biosafety level 2 and high risk biosafety level 3.

To participate in the routine work of the laboratory, according to Standard Operating Procedures, with confidence, competence and independence. To undertake techniques or tasks involving specialised knowledge and/or skills that are required to identify infectious causes of disease to provide antibiotic susceptibility data as appropriate.

To be knowledgeable, experienced and use judgements in interpreting microbiology results, know what factors affect the results obtained and the range of tests that can be performed to validate these results. To know when a specimen/isolate/ result requires referral to a reference facility.

To be responsible for maintaining the biosafety three facility to a strict health and safety standard.

To assist in the evaluation of new equipment, tests and methodologies to ensure continual development and a progressive microbiology service.

To maintain a high standard of internal and external quality assurance and control, including audit and other aspects of the QMS as appropriate.

To be accountable for the performance, quality control, and maintenance of expensive specialist analysers including the blood culture analyser and serology analysers.

To participate in attaining and maintaining high laboratory standards as required under the UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation schemes.

To review and make recommendations in the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures and quality assurance programmes to meet the needs of the service.

To deputise for Senior Biomedical Scientists in their absence, as required by the needs of the service.

To provide rapid microscopic examination of clinical specimens where microscopy result may immediately affect the patient treatment.

To have flexibility in start and finish times as necessary.

To be able to use time management skills in the management of their day to day duties in a given section and to account for unexpected urgent samples as the need arises.

To monitor stocks of consumables and reagents and to report and request orders on any replacements.

To participate in the collection and collation of statistical data as required.

People Management and Development

• Demonstrate self-directed development and work practise.
• To demonstrate a positive professional attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the laboratory team.
• Assist junior staff with their time management.
• In conjunction with senior staff, to instruct, train and supervise unqualified staff including Medical Laboratory Assistants, less experienced BMS staff and provide orientation to new staff members.

Patient Care Delivery

• Document and communicate patient results

Health and safety

• To be aware of and adhere to the Departmental and Trust Health and Safety policies.
• To be able to deal appropriately should an accident occur, know when to inform a senior member of staff and complete the Datix Trust Incident / Accident form.
• To maintain exemplary standard of laboratory safety, and to ensure the Health & Safety of all staff servicing contractors and visitors. Also to ensure that the arrangements for the security of buildings, equipment and chemicals are carried out in accordance with laboratory policy.
• To be aware of the dangers of biological and chemical hazards in the laboratory and follow laboratory procedures in dealing with these agents.

Education

• To be in possession of a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, or have equivalent experience acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Science supporting state registration with the Health Professions Council. To have a minimum of two years clinical laboratory experience.
• To hold the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology.
• To maintain continuing professional development by attending conferences, lectures and training days and keeping up to date with the scientific literature.

Professional Registration

• All staff who are members of a professional body have a responsibility to ensure they are both familiar with and adhere to standards of professional practice and conduct. Members of Staff are responsible for ensuring the continuity of their professional registration and providing renewal details promptly to their line manager

Learning and Development

• Attend mandatory training updates as required.
• Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
• Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
• Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Mission and values

The mission of University Hospitals Sussex what we are striving to achieve is to provide:

excellent care every time

All our efforts to do this put the interests of our patients first and foremost, and are underpinned by our values:

• Compassion
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Respect
• Professionalism
• Inclusion

These values were selected by our staff, patients and public when we were talking about the merger and the sort of organisation we want University Hospitals Sussex to be.

Our mission and values are extremely important to us and we expect everyone who works at University Hospitals Sussex in any capacity to share and uphold them.

Patient First

• Patient First is our Trust-wide approach to improving the quality of care for patients and to build and embed a culture where staff can be confident that their views matter and will be heard.
• The aim is to empower all staff to lead change, raise issues, concerns, identify and implement areas for improvement within the workplace and find solutions collectively as part of a team.
• Staff will be equipped with skills to identify improvement opportunities and supported to see those through
• It encourages all staff to be innovative and drive forward quality improvement and positive changes in their areas.
• The philosophy behind this is centred on:
• Standardisation, system redesign and the improvement of patient pathways to eliminate error and waste and improve quality
• The patient being at the heart of every element of change
• Embedding cultural change across the organisation, where everyone is passionate about delivering exceptional quality every time and where better never stops.
• Continuous improvement of our services through small steps of change
• Constantly testing the patient pathway to see how we can develop
• Encouraging frontline staff to lead the redesign processes
• Equal voices for all
• Engagement of staff is a big factor in job performance.
• Good engagement leads to improved quality, mortality and safety measures

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Trust is committed to supporting Inclusion as can be seen by our Patient First Triangle with a clear value being Inclusion. We all have a responsibility to treat our colleagues, patients and service users with respect and dignity irrespective of age, race, disability, gender reassignment/identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and part of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Champions programme.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

279-5637982-SEP23