Senior Biomedical Scientist

at  Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job Summary The Molecular Pathology Team Leader is a highly skilled and experienced professional, capable of performing routine and specialised tasks in a knowledgeable way to assist in the diagnosis of disease, to determine their existence or absence, as well as to monitor treatment effectiveness. The post holder will play an active role in the performance of routine and specialised tasks involved in the Molecular Pathology Service delivering a high level of quality and working to take into consideration health and safety regulations and financial viability. The successful candidate will lead the team to ensure that the daily workload is completed efficiently while adhering to all departmental policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and be required to train and educate a wide range of staff in the use and application of genomics procedures in Cellular Pathology.
The post holder will be required to meet the requirements of all internal and external Quality Assurance and United Kingdom accreditation service (UKAS) standards and uphold the department’s professional reputation in the Trust. Most importantly, the post holder should be patient centred. Key responsibilities Services - routine and specialised technical procedures and organisation, research and development, Quality Assurance and Quality Control involved in the Molecular Pathology service. People - duty to take reasonable care and work in accordance with the Health and Safety regulations.
Undertake discipline, appraisal and recruitment of staff. Resources undertake evaluation of equipment and consumables ensuring duty of responsibility for all departmental equipment to ensure effective and efficient functioning and to be financially mindful. Information - to attend and participate in Trust and departmental meetings. Training to be proactive in own personal training/development and that of junior staff, overseeing training programmes and additional educational activities.
Management responsibilities Take responsibility for the daily supervision of Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Associate practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistants. To assist and deputise the Molecular Pathology Manager in the management and the deployment of staff in the event of sickness/holidays and appropriately deploy staff within the team. To manage minor breaches of discipline within the Molecular Pathology team, reporting more serious breaches of discipline to the Molecular Pathology Manager. Take responsibility for the general tidiness, quality and effective operation of the LCL Molecular Pathology Service.
To contribute to the planning strategy of the department via the Molecular Pathology Manager. To plan work schedules and determine work priorities within the Molecular Pathology Service to ensure completion of the day to day work in the department. To ensure that results are validated and quality control measures have been fulfilled. To ensure maintenance, calibration and internal quality control of equipment is performed, taking corrective action when required.
Teach technical support staff, medical staff and placement students a basic knowledge of Molecular Pathology techniques. To train scientific staff in the operation of specialist equipment within the Molecular Pathology Service ensuring safety protocols are followed and adhered to. Take an active role in the delivery of the appraisal programme in the department as required. To create and implement SOPs for the Molecular Pathology Service incorporating COSHH and risk assessments.
To review and update SOPs as required to conform to UKAS regulations. To arrange regular stock takes and maintain appropriate stock levels. Quality Control To contribute to the departments ongoing quality management culture. To supervise, co-ordinate and participate in External Quality Assurance Schemes and monitor compliance rates.
To review and analyse the results of external quality assurance and internal quality control and investigate and resolve non-compliances. To assist the Quality Manager in investigating any untoward incidents and implement any preventable actions. To implement any immediate corrective actions required to maintain the Molecular Pathology Service. To ensure that all documents are kept up to date and maintained securely in compliance with local, Trust, and departmental SOPs.
To review and write, as required, departmental SOPs. Participate in the departmental audit schedule as required, ensuring that all findings are assigned to the appropriate handler and closed in the appropriate timescale. Be able to raise non-conformities (NC), DATIX incidents and be able to conduct root cause analysis in order to close NCs quickly and effectively. Scientific and technical In accordance with local training policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) to perform sample preparation for genomic testing.
Support the delivery of genomic testing for cancer patients both in LCL and through the preparation of referral material for analysis at the North West GLH located in Manchester. Engage in the routine work of the Molecular Pathology laboratory, including routine processing, embedding, section cuttingand staining of histology samples in accordance with departmental protocols. To participate in the duties undertaken in the Immunocytochemistry (ICC) department, performing immunoperoxidase and in situ hybridisation staining protocols (FISH) in accordance with departmental SOPs. To be responsible for essential maintenance tasks and be able to problem solve equipment faults, ensuring operational continuity for complex laboratory equipment.
To undertake microscopic QC of all stained slides and participate in the process of verification/validation of new antibodies and probes used in the Molecular Pathology Service. To undertake tumour content assessment. To evaluate and report fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) stained slides. To be involved with the improvement and development of the service, evaluating new equipment, and introducing new techniques.
On a regular basis perform validation and verification of new equipment and testing assays ensuring that all the associated paperwork required is in compliance with ISO15189:2022 (UKAS), HTA and HSE standards. Advice, Guidance and Interpersonal Skills Deal professionally during liaison with colleagues, other health professionals and staff from external organisations. Provide specialist advice to pathologists, clerical staff, clinicians and other service users regarding appropriate testing regimes, specimen types and turnaround times. Provide advice and guidance to students and trainees, to other Biomedical Scientists and to pathologists.
Be proactive in the training of staff in the department, including junior BMSs, support staff and students. To assist in the Chief BMS with the implementation and development of competency assessments for Molecular Pathology as required for the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology. Professional Responsibilities To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and adhere to the codes of conduct of the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS). To actively participate in formal and informal CPD activities as requiredbythe professional body.
Due to a varied workload, it is necessary to be able to multi-task both physically and mentally, as well as to be able to communicate with all levels of staff. Deputise for the Chief BMS staff members in their absence. To behave with courtesy and consideration to colleagues and service users, regardless of hierarchical or professional position within the organisation. To attend educational and training courses as required by the department.
Maintain knowledge of advances in relevant scientific areas through continuous professional development. To attend Trust Mandatory training sessions as required, as well as any other relevant training courses. Health and Safety To fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act. All workers have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to themselves or others, as well as to assist the Trust in fulfilling its legal obligations.
To handle chemicals and biological material in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols. To participate in Risk Assessments and COSHH assessments. IT Duties To use all the departmental computer systems to perform daily tasks, Telepath and Q-Pulse among others. To ensure that information records are generated, maintained, and exchanged in an acceptable manner, in compliance with legislative requirements and agreedsecurity and confidentiality policies, procedures, and guidelines.
All employees are responsible for ensuring that data quality is implemented and maintained, as well as that documents are legible and traceable, and that records are kept in a timely manner. To establish the status/progress of a specimen by tracking the sample at all stages of processing

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