An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic person to join the central laboratory of the Yorkshire and North East Genomic Laboratory Hub. The role will be based within the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS), St James Hospital, Leeds with a focus on haemato-oncology molecular work.

The department is part of a NHS Genomics Network of Excellence doing work to optimise the genomic investigations offered to patients with lymphoma. This fixed term role would be suitable for candidates looking for experience in a research-related role which will offer the opportunity to be part of this exciting project to improve patient outcomes.

This is an opportunity to become part of a highly successful department with extensive facilities, high levels of scientific expertise and a national/international reputation for developments of assays/methodologies within a clinical trial/R& D setting which are then translated into routine practice.

Expected Shortlisting Date

06/09/2024

Planned Interview Date

09/10/2024

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development and delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service. The successful candidate will be required to deliver a broad range of complex and specialised scientific work from raw data requiring highly skilled performance. There will be a relatively high level of individual responsibility and freedom to act applied to a variety of situations with or without scientific/technical support.

Applicants should be state registered as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC and have the IBMS Specialist portfolio (or MSc equivalent). Applications may also be considered from candidates working towards the IBMS Specialist Portfoilo (with at least 50% completed). Previous experience of working within a molecular laboratory is also essential.

About us

HMDS provides a specialist service for the diagnosis of blood cancers and is part of the central laboratory for the Yorkshire and North East Genomic Laboratory Hub. The laboratory is the largest of its type in the United Kingdom with a high throughput of specimens including peripheral blood, bone marrow and tissue biopsies. The department also has a strong research programme and there will also be opportunity to be involved in projects related to research and clinical trials. This post provides the opportunity to join this successful team at the forefront of diagnostic services.

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

JOB PURPOSE

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

To contribute towards the training of support workers, more junior biomedical scientists, clinical and medical staff

To communicate highly complex and / or sensitive information to colleagues and other healthcare staff

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

As a specialist biomedical scientist you will be a fully competent member of the department. Normally working as part of a team, you will be expected to perform a wide range of specialist technical investigations. At other times you may be required to work alone and independently, for example when working on-call. Working in different sections of the department you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations. Within the team you may be required to organize the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate highly complex information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organisations.

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). You will have developed a range of competencies and specialist knowledge in all aspects of the discipline through extensive practical experience, in house training and structured study and will continue to develop your skills and knowledge subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

In order to work effectively in the role the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include:

-to gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training scheme

-to be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service

- to work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service.

- to communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically

- to plan and prioritise the designated workload and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by support workers

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

- to operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently

- to input, extract and interpret patient data from the laboratory computer system

- to interpret, validate and authorize the results of the section

- to demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate

- to contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members

- to remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued

- to participate actively in the departmental appraisal scheme

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

9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

As the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:

- Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures.

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

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

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

- To perform appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holders levels of knowledge, skills and experience.

- To remain competent in all sections of the department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.

- To enter, manage, retrieve and interpret complex patient information using the laboratory computer system.

- To communicate accurately sensitive and / or highly complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

- To assist in the training of laboratory support staff, more junior biomedical scientists, clinical and medical staff.

- To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme

- To participate in laboratory audit processes, risk assessments and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory.

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

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

This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration
• Registered biomedical scientist
• Specialist portfolio (2006 registration onwards

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Able to work in a team. Able to work independently.
• Flexible approach to work
• Good communicator Friendly attitude

Other Criteria

Essential

• Dexterity Good hand / eye coordination
• Basic computer skills
• Physically able to move around and between sites

Experience

Essential

• Developing knowledge within speciality
• Developing experience within the department
• Post registration experience within the speciality

Desirable

• Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory

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-ONC-0406