JOB SUMMARY

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.
The scope of this role is to learn and maintain good laboratory practice in the interests of the departmental commitment to provide an efficient service and to become a positive member of a team or teams in the function of service provision.
The applicant must have a keen interest in science educated to A-level or an equivalent qualification. Previous extensive experience of working in a clinical microbiology laboratory, evidence of using complex laboratory equipment and an understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures and protocols is desirable.
The post holder will report on biomedical investigations and utilise the appropriate testing to assist the Biomedical Scientists. You will rotate through different sections in the laboratory and be expected to supervise and train staff. You should be a good communicator and effective at prioritising competing workloads.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your key responsibilities will include:

• To participate in the provision of a diagnostic service including the production of reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters.
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all virological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist BMS’s where appropriate by planning the day’s work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff of the Virology Laboratory as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in particular projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training HSSW staff within the Virology Department.
• Process and test antenatal samples in line with IDPS
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in the competency training manual and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in the maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
• To undertake other duties and assume other responsibilities commensurate with this grade.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Your key responsibilities will include:

• To participate in the provision of a diagnostic service including the production of reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters.
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all virological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist BMS’s where appropriate by planning the day’s work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff of the Virology Laboratory as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in particular projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training HSSW staff within the Virology Department.
• Process and test antenatal samples in line with IDPS
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in the competency training manual and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in the maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
• To undertake other duties and assume other responsibilities commensurate with this grade