The Pathology Department at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust currently has vacancy for an enthusiastic, innovative, quality driven, Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the automated Biochemistry department. Our modern and well-equipped department processes more than 7 million diagnostic tests per annum on state of the art analytical platforms.
Applications are invited from applicants who are suitably qualified and have HCPC registration and a completed specialist portfolio in clinical biochemistry or relevant Masters degree. We also invite applications from candidates who are working towards completion of their specialist portfolio in clinical biochemistry. If a successful candidate has not completed their specialist portfolio, the post will be offered under Agenda for Change Annex 21 arrangements until the portfolio is completed.
The Biochemistry department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory which has state of the art pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical automated systems.
The post holder will assist Senior Biomedical scientists in overseeing day-to-day running of the lab, with supervisory responsibility over Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.
- The post holder will be a part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and Biomedical support workers delivering a high quality biochemistry service 24/7 based on the effective use of the Quality Management System.
- The post holder will undertake laboratory investigations as appropriate to their banding and competencies.
- The post holder will participate in all quality activities
- The post holder will be required to train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies.
- The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities to comply with national standards e.g. UKAS, MHRA.
- The post holder will be required to lead new processes through the change control.
- The post holder will be required to deputise for senior BMS in their absence.
- The post holder will be required to carry out complex troubleshooting of equipment and results.
- The post holder will be required to manage staff rosters.
- The post holder will be required to mentor / supervise staff undertaking their IBMS registration portfolio.
- The post holder will be required to investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process.
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
General Responsibilities
- Undertake clinical biochemistry investigations using automated and manual analytical techniques as appropriate to relevant banding and competencies.
- Carry out complex troubleshooting of equipment and results liaising with manufacturers and engineers where appropriate.
- Participate in all quality activities.
- Investigate QA issues to successful resolution through the non-conformance process.
- To train/teach staff of all grades within the scope of their competencies
- Undertake responsibilities to comply with national standards e.g. UKAS, MHRA.
- To mentor / supervise staff undertaking their IBMS specialist portfolio.
- To lead new processes through the change control.
- Deputise for senior BMS in their absence.
- Planning and managing staff rosters.
- Support the effective day-to-day running of the laboratory.
- Respond appropriately to changing service demands.
- Participate in the departmental rota including weekends, bank holidays and nights.
People/Management Excellence
- Take responsibility for own personal development and take an active part in learning opportunities.
- Maintain a portfolio to demonstrate continuing professional development to comply with HCPC requirements.
- Assist in the training and development of colleagues of any grade in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
- Attend an annual personal development review (appraisal) with their manager.
- Complete all mandatory and role specific training.
Service improvement
- Make suggestions how services can be improved for the users and propose service development improvements to the appropriate team manager.
- Maintaining a flexible approach to the post in order to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns and requirements.
- Support other members of the team in implementing change.
- Participate in service evaluation.
- Participate in the introduction of new techniques and equipment into the department.
Communication
- Communicate in a manner that is consistent with legislation policies and procedures.
- Communicate effectively with all members of the Pathology staff, clinicians, and visitors to the department.
- Be aware of possible barriers to communication and how to overcome them.
- Deal sensitively with patient/ clinician enquiries in stressful situations.
- Ensure confidentiality of all written verbal and electronic information.
- Keep accurate and complete records in line with legislation, policies and procedures.
- Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, referring on appropriate specialist request for information outside their area of responsibility.
- Be able to use all relevant forms of communication.
- Attend and participate in departmental meetings where required.
- Maintain and promote the professional image.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
- Comply with good work practices in accordance with the standards of the departments Quality Management System, UKAS and any other accreditation, regulatory and legislative bodies.
- Store and use reagents according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures.
- Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
- Recognise when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods and inform appropriate senior Biomedical Scientist staff.
- Work within limits of their own competence referring issues beyond those limits to a senior member of staff.
- Participate in audits as required by senior staff of the department.
- Refer to senior biomedical scientist staff in the case of incidents which put health and safety or the quality of specimens at risk.
