An opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to lead our professional and friendly Point of Care Testing (POCT) team. Blood Sciences is part of one of the largest Pathology departments in the UK and offers a comprehensive POCT service to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and also in the community. The POCT service provides support for analytical testing at or near the site of patient care and is responsible for looking after all of the point of care equipment across the Trust, undertaking necessary maintenance and providing quality assurance of all results obtained.

This is an exciting time to join one of the largest Pathology departments in the country, in advance of moving to our new �30m Pathology building (on the St. Jamess University Hospital site) and new Acute Hospital Laboratory (on the Leeds General Infirmary site). This is a full time role which does not (except in exceptional circumstances) involve working unsocial hours.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate(s) will report to the POCT Coordinator and will take a lead role with all elements of staff and user training events, governance and quality assurance within POCT. The individual will also provide the necessary scientific leadership and contribute to the general management of the section, planning, prioritising and organising the workload and tasks undertaken by the wider POCT Team. This role will also involve ensuring compliance with the quality management system and leading on service improvement activity, as well as on projects which may be both within, and outside the Trust. The Specialist BMS in POCT will also deputise for the POCT Coordinator in their absence.

To be considered for this Specialist Biomedical Scientist (AFC Band 6) position in POCT, you must be registered with the HCPC and have relevant post registration experience (e.g. in Clinical Biochemistry or Haematology). If registering with the HCPC on or after 2006, a completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio is a requirement of this post. Knowledge, or experience of POCT would be advantageous. Relevant training and support will be provided for the successful candidate.

We encourage all candidates to contact us to discuss the role(s) and we can offer informal visits to our laboratories for interested candidates. Emma Baddams, POCT Coordinator on 0113 3922338 (emma.baddams@nhs.net) or Richard Liversidge, Interim Blood Sciences Service Manager on 0113 3923947 (richard.liversidge@nhs.net).

About us

The Blood Sciences department at LTHT operates across two large university teaching hospitals in the Leeds Metropolitan area, along with Satellite units at Chapel Allerton, Seacroft and Wharfedale. POCT services are expanding all the time and will continue to do so in line with wider NHS strategy. We are preparing to move to our new �30m Pathology building (on the St. Jamess University Hospital site) and new Acute Hospital Laboratory (on the Leeds General Infirmary site). The POCT service supports 40 blood gas analysers, around 300 glucose meters, 70 urinalysis analysers, and much more (including Flu and Covid analysers). The field of POCT is rapidly expanding, and currently includes tests within the Biochemistry, Haematology and Microbiology specialisms, with exciting new projects currently underway across LTHT and in the community. The successful candidate will be well supported by the wider scientific and clinical teams.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/ Scientific /Technical

-Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment.

-Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

-To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

-To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

-To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

-Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This will include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

-Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality.

-To participate in equipment testing, validation and adaptation as a function of service development.

-To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

Leadership and Management

-To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

-HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme.

-The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

-To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers

-To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate and complete relevant training and competency paperwork

-To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

-Actively supports and encourages individual and team development

-To deputise for more senior staff where appropriate

-Leads waste reduction incentives for designated area

-Contributes to management reports

-Supports collaborative team working across all sections.

Quality / Training

-To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records

-Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times

-To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings

-Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

-Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes monitoring performance of IQC and EQA.

-Support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

-Contributes to audit completion in specialist area

-Contributes to H& S compliance and audits in specialist area

-Contributes to QMS compliance/alignment in specialist area

-Conducts incident investigations and risk management including Datix

-Monitoring of results to identify any unexpected trends in assay performance

-Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area

-Leads continuous service improvement in specialist area

-Leads service continuity plans for specialist area

-Leads implementation of corrective actions from audits

-Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

-Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

-To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council

-Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Other

-To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes including CPD.

-The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH).

-Any other duties commensurate with grade following discussion with line manager

Please refer to attached job description for full details.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, oral and written.
• Able to work in a team and independently.
• Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
• Independent Problem solving/ troubleshooting skills.
• Flexible approach to work

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration
• Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration.
• IBMS Specialist portfolio (2006 registration onwards)
• Competence in a wide range of complex laboratory procedures and participation in relevant CPD schemes

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience within a relevant Pathology discipline

Desirable

• Post registration experience within POCT
• Knowledge of pathology disciplines other than in own area.
• Multidisciplinary experience
• Line management experience and leadership skills
• Teaching, training and mentorship skills

Other criteria

Essential

• Physically able to move around and between sites
• Physically able to assist in movement of moderate loads

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9298-PATH-249B