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.
As a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) you will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
You will also be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise and train other less experienced and qualified staff.
You will also be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, e.g. SARS.
You would undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Manager or Lead Biomedical Scientist.
You would be required to assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
You would also be responsible for ensuring data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system. You will perform sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high. You would need to analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
You would be working in high-risk Containment Level 3 laboratories following local code of practice within these facilities.
The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirements of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If your application falls below the Band 6 threshold, your application may be assessed against a lower grade role.

JOB DESCRIPTION

You would undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Manager or Lead Biomedical Scientist.
You would be required to assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
You would also be responsible for ensuring data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system. You will perform sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high. You would need to analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
You would be working in high-risk Containment Level 3 laboratories following local code of practice within these facilities.
The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirements of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If your application falls below the Band 6 threshold, your application may be assessed against a lower grade role.

Duties will include:

• To assist in the day-to-day supervision and organisation of the less qualified staff in the allocated area.
• To assist in the training of less qualified staff.
• To process the clinical specimens received and undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, undertaking reading, reporting and the interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• To adhere and contribute to the delivery of the Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS).
• To observe safety regulations of the laboratory and UKHSA.
• To assist the senior staff in the monitoring of the performance of less qualified staff.
• To maintain a high standard of technical skill.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, and to perform data entry, specimen and result enquiry and validation of results as appropriate.
• To perform and monitor quality control tests, to record results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties.Please see job description document for full list of duties and responsibilities.

STAGE 1: APPLICATION & SIFT

You will be required to complete an application form. Please be aware that you will be assessed on the above listed nine essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

• An application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. As part of your statement of suitability, please ensure you clearly indicate as to whether you are applying for the Bacteriology or Virology position.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Please note all applications meeting all the essential criteria will proceed through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• State registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirements of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If your application falls below the Band 6 threshold, your application may be assessed against the lower grade role.
If you are interviewed for the role and you do not meet the required benchmark you may be considered for a Band 5 role. Applications will also be considered from candidates working towards HCPC registration who may be offered an EO Healthcare Scientist position.
All essential and desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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

Duties will include:

• To assist in the day-to-day supervision and organisation of the less qualified staff in the allocated area.
• To assist in the training of less qualified staff.
• To process the clinical specimens received and undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, undertaking reading, reporting and the interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• To adhere and contribute to the delivery of the Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS).
• To observe safety regulations of the laboratory and UKHSA.
• To assist the senior staff in the monitoring of the performance of less qualified staff.
• To maintain a high standard of technical skill.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, and to perform data entry, specimen and result enquiry and validation of results as appropriate.
• To perform and monitor quality control tests, to record results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable

You will be required to complete an application form. Please be aware that you will be assessed on the above listed nine essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

• An application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 750 word Statement of Suitability