Microbiology Biomedical Scientist

at  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

A vacancy has arisen for a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) to join our Microbiology Team.
BMSs are engaged in Continuing Professional Development to improve their knowledge of certain techniques and to increase the breadth of basic skills acquired for registration.
The post holder will act as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist (BMS).
BMSs are engaged in Continuing Professional Development to improve their knowledge of certain techniques and to increase the breadth of basic skills acquired for registration.
BMSs can carry out all the routine analytical repertoire of the department and may have gained a greater depth of knowledge in some areas.
Interview date: 5th November 2024
BMSs generally work without guidance or supervision to complete delegated tasks involved in the delivery of a clinical pathology service that enables a high standard of patient care. Those who satisfy competency assessments may work as an autonomous practitioner to provide a 24-hour pathology service for the Trust. The successful applicant will be expected to take a full part in any out of hours service agreed by the Trust.
BMSs are good problem solvers and as members of a team are required to be good communicators to ensure effective continuity of the service.
BMSs carry out analyses on blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells to determine the presence or absence of disease; this enables diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment.
Biomedical Scientists also carry out population screening for inherited or malignant disorders.
BMSs are highly skilled in the use of the latest biomedical techniques, utilising expensive and complex instrumentation alongside more traditional manual methods of investigation requiring considerable dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

KEY DUTIES

The following duties will be performed after supervised training with a registered Biomedical Scientist. All duties must be performed and comply with agreed departmental policies and procedures.
Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigation on rotational basis through all sections within the Microbiology Department as required.
Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Participate in the regular review and update of SOPs.
Undertake routine preventative maintenance on the Microbiology analysers.
Plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.
Undertake technical validation of the complex results from laboratory investigations ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols, and where necessary seek advice from Senior Biomedical Scientists within Microbiology.
Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations as stated in the Microbiology Quality Control SOPs.
Carry out corrective action or inform the Senior Biomedical Scientists when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
Prepare reagents required for automated analysers and manual laboratory investigations and to record reagent batch numbers and maintain a reagent audit trail.
Report any instance or event to the Senior Biomedical Scientists which may cause a service delivery failure.
Record and monitor data from non-analytical equipment
Undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by senior laboratory staff.
Report any instance or event to the Senior Biomedical Scientists should the quality assurance systems be outside acceptable limits.
Diagnostic
Use interpretative skills to determine the clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, for example, by
Preparation, examination and visual inspection of specimens.
Performing diagnostic tests.
Reviewing test result history and highlighting any sudden changes to Senior Biomedical Scientists.
Interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions i.e.
Refer results for Authorisation via the Microbiology Phone Policy.
Adding technical comments as per relevant SOP.
Referring decisions for further testing.
Referring results for a second opinion.
Informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant results.
Communicate patient results to relevant trained staff by telephone.
Communication
Telephone patient results to clinical users following appropriate policies and procedures.
Contact service users in case of any problems with received samples.
Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section or by 3 more formal means such as presentations.
Actively participate in team meetings and to inform effectively at hand over at both start and end of working session.
Maintain appropriate stock levels within the section following appropriate policies and procedures under the direction of the section leader.
Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with departmental policies and supplier’s instructions and is maintained correctly. Notify equipment/general building fitting failures to the appropriate senior member of staff.
The job will involve frequent exposure to unpleasant body fluids and tissue including faeces, blood, urine and samples that are potentially infective with pathogenic microorganisms (including infections such as Hepatitis, HIV, nvCJD, TB).
Able to concentrate for significant periods on technically demanding procedures and with attention to detail. Due to the nature and pressure and variety of work there is a need for the ability to multi-task both physically, mentally and be expected to communicate with all grades of staff. Transport of chemicals, reagents and solutions requires some physical effort.
The job will involve exposure to moving mechanical equipment and harmful chemicals, including acids and carcinogens, which should be dealt with under COSHH regulations and by following and understanding the departments risk assessments.
The job will involve visits to clinical areas in order to maintain and control point of care testing equipment, blood fridges or other systems.
Observe the immunisation policy of Pathology/Trusts.
Take appropriate action if there is a spillage of body fluids or hazardous chemicals in order to minimise the risk to staff and public.
Responsible for reporting any risks, clinical and non-clinical accidents and incidents/potential incidents promptly and cooperate with any investigations undertaken.
Understand and be aware of and act in accordance with all appropriate National and Trust Health & Safety policies, COSHH regulations and should be aware of the trained first aiders within the department. Observe the immunisation policy of Pathology/Trust.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Adhere to relevant Code of Practice of Professional bodies e.g. HCPC and Institute of Biomedical Science
Maintain an awareness of developments and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.
Keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.
Maintain good working relations with all members or staff and to promote effective teamwork.
Maintain and promote the professional image of the Department of Pathology, St. Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS ISO: 15189
Comply with good laboratory practices required for the standards of UKAS ISO: 15189 including Health and Safety.
Undertake work file management to ensure that reporting of results are carried out in a timely fashion.
Advise the Senior Biomedical Scientists when stocks of reagents, calibrators, quality control materials and other consumables are approaching minimum stock levels, or take appropriate action.
Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Use the Pathology Computer System according to the authorised protocols.
Enter their own results and those obtained by others into LIMS system.
Check and correct if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff.
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
Use Trust wide I.T. systems as appropriate following trust policies, guidelines and procedures.
Assist in the audit of data held on the pathology laboratory information system.
Highlight any errors or problems experienced when using the Pathology Computer System to a Senior Biomedical Scientist or Department Level 1 user.